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10 junk food items you need to avoid at any cost

Whatever tastes good doesn't mean it is healthy, as well. Here's a list of 10 unhealthy foods which are more harmful than you think.
food habits that may lead to hair loss
Unhealthy foods have little or no nutritional value. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Updated On: 19 Nov 2024, 03:23 pm IST
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There is nothing that seems yummier than junk food, especially when you are on one of your stringent diets, right? Unhealthy food seems to have the best taste. However, controlling your cravings and staying away from these harmful foods helps you not put on weight, as well as remain healthy. Not only do most of these foods have little to no nutritional value, but they can also create a toxic build-up that adversely affects your overall health. Some of foods that are bad for your health include sugar as well as refined carbohydrates which make them the worst foods for health. Read on to know more about unhealthy foods to avoid.

Junk food items that extremely harmful for your health

The worst foods for health include junk food that contains large amounts of sugar, preservatives as well as refined carbohydrates. These must be replaced by healthy options in order to remain fit.

1. Sugar

How many times have you been advised to cut down on sugar? Have you ever thought of it as just an overreaction? Well, it’s not. Sugar is one of the biggest causes of diabetes and obesity worldwide. It also puts a lot of stress on your liver, pancreas, and digestive system. It puts you at greater risk of getting the flu, a cold, a hormonal imbalance, or even depression. It’s important to remember that not all sugar is bad, but you should always consume it in moderation. Check out the benefits of a no-sugar diet.

unhealthy foods
Excess sugar is not good for health. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Soft drinks

Carbonated soft drinks are one of the biggest sources of added sugar and caffeine in the diet. Regular consumption of this ultra-processed food item can lead to several health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory diseases. It is highly advisable to replace these drinks with healthier alternatives like herbal tea and lemon water.

3. Refined carbohydrates

While carbohydrates are a vital part of any well-balanced diet, one should try consuming whole foods and avoid refined grains. Refined carbs, which are commonly found in processed foods like pasta, white bread, and muffins, are quickly broken down by your body, resulting in rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, thus making these one of the most unhealthiest food in the world. This can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Try adding healthy carbs to your diet like barley, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, and oatmeal. This will automatically cut down your craving for unhealthy foods. Check out the drawbacks of excessive carbohydrate-consumption.

4. Alcohol

Everyone knows alcohol is bad for health. Too much alcohol can cause several long-term health issues, including liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Moreover, it can irritate tissues and make them susceptible to damage caused by carcinogens (cancer-causing substances). Other problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption include vaginal dryness, dehydration, headache, and irritability.

unhealthy foods
Consuming alcohol can negatively impact your body’s metabolism. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. Potato crisps

Foods fried at a high temperature can form acrylamide, a known carcinogen. Moreover, potato crisps are not only high in fat but also coated with too much salt, which makes them high in sodium, and probable one of worst foods to eat. This can lead to blood pressure and cholesterol issues, increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

6. Margarine

Margarine is a popular spread used for baking, cooking, and flavouring worldwide. While it is widely loved, it has unhealthy trans-fats. These fats cannot be processed by your body and are extremely harmful. They increase inflammation, raise the level of bad cholesterol, and damage the walls of your blood vessels.

7. Canned soups

Many consider canned soup a healthy go-to snack to curb a hunger pang. However, contrary to popular belief, these soups are packed with salt. While essential in small quantities, salt is a major source of sodium, and excess consumption can increase the risk of hypertension and heart attacks.

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8. Doughnuts

Made from refined carbs and white sugar, doughnuts are extremely bad for both your waistline and overall health. They are not just deep-fried but also loaded with trans-fats, which spike cholesterol levels and damage the heart vessels.

unhealthy foods
Unhealthy eating habits can take a toll on your health. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

9. Processed meat

Processed meats are high in sodium and nitrates, both of which are quite harmful to your health. Research indicates that consuming these meats is linked to an increased susceptibility to colon cancer. Moreover, nitrates convert into nitrites when digested, which can further form nitrosamine, an immensely harmful cancer-causing chemical.

10. Instant noodles

One of the best wellness tips you can follow is to avoid any food that starts with “instant.” Junk food such as instant noodles, soups are unhealthy foods. Just like canned soups, the amount of sodium in instant noodles is immensely high. Moreover, it contains high amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG), which acts as a toxin for the nerves and the reproductive system.

What is the most unhealthy food in the world?

According to the American Heart Association, the most unhealthy food includes highly processed foods, just as processed snacks or junk food. These are replete with empty calories and low in nutrition. The refined flours, sodium and sugar in these foods make them the most unhealthy food in the world.

Summary

So, to lead a healthy life and achieve complete well-being, don’t give in to your cravings for these unhealthy foods mentioned above. It is important to consume a balanced diet with the right amount of fibre, carbohydrates as well as proteins. In take of junk food will only result in weight gain and a lethargic and unhealthy lifestyle.

FAQs

What are the harmful effects of the junk foods?

Besides obesity, junk foods may lead to an increased risk of heart diseases, cholesterol, diabetes as well as depression.

What are the 3 worst foods for you?

The most unhealthy foods are foods that contain excessive sugar, salt as well as refined carbohydrates.

Why is sugar considered one of the most harmful foods?

Consuming too much sugar increases calories and this can lead to weight gain as well as obesity. It can also damage the liver, and also lead to high blood pressure and inflammation throughout the body. Using healthy alternatives to sugar can help you avoid it completely.

Are all processed foods bad for your health?

Not all processed foods are bad. But those processed food which have excessive sugar and salt are bad for health.

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About The Author
Dr Manoj Kishor Chhotray
Dr Manoj Kishor Chhotray

Dr Manoj Kishor Chhotray, General Physician, Apollo 24/7

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