Most of us do what we can to stay healthy, but making the right food choices can be tough. Sometimes, the worst foods are marketed as healthy. Other times, we're busy and on-the-go, and quick options are the easiest options. Luckily, there are plenty of people willing to help us out by educating others on what foods are best for our bodies, and which ones we should stay away from. Doctor Taz Bhatia, board-certified physician and author of "What Doctors Eat," is one of those people. She's sharing her tips on the top foods she'll never eat, and why you should consider avoiding them as well!
1. Frozen Meals
Frozen meals offer something that's often valuable — convenience. Just pop them in the microwave for a few minutes and you're done! It might be an easy option, but it's one of the worst. Even the frozen entrees that look decently healthy are loaded with sodium, which can cause several health issues, from water retention to weight gain. If you're looking to save time, skip the frozen entrees and consider meal prepping instead.
2. Diet Coke
Many people opt for diet sodas thinking that they're making a healthier choice, but "diet" doesn't equal healthy. Diet sodas with artificial sweeteners confuse your body and wreak havoc on your gut, affect your insulin levels and negatively affect your appetite, leading to unhealthy cravings. Ditch the soda altogether and opt for water or tea.
3. MSG
Monosodium glutamate or MSG is a man-made flavor enhancer that is most commonly known as an addition to Chinese-inspired food, but it's also added to thousands of foods that Americans eat on a regular basis, including canned soup, crackers, meat, salad dressing, frozen dinners and more. It has been shown to overexcite the cells to the point of damage or death, causing adverse effects such as numbness or tingling, chest pain, difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeat and weakness. It may even cause brain damage to varying degrees, potentially triggering a number of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease. Always check food labels for MSG.
4. Cereal
Cereal is a popular go-to breakfast item, especially for kids, but most cereals contain large amounts of sugar. Packaged cereals contain a combination of refined carbohydrates and sugar that make them a harmful addition to anyone's diet. The serious health damage caused by sugar can be prevented by cutting back on sugar consumption. Studies have shown dramatic, positive health effects that can appear after just ten days of cutting out sugar.
5. Doughnuts
Doughnuts can be tempting, especially when you repeatedly walk by an open box at work. But just one doughnut can contain hundreds of calories, along with added sugar and other harmful ingredients. Doughnuts are also a poor choice for your heart, because they contain lots of saturated and trans fats, and most doughnuts lack any nutritional value. Pack your own healthy snacks to take to the office so you can avoid doughnut temptation!
6. Muffins
Muffins may seem like a healthier alternative to sweets, but one large muffin can contain over 1,000 calories, not to mention a boatload of sugar and other additives. You'll probably be shocked at what you find if you read the label. If you really enjoy muffins, make your own healthy versions at home!
