World Health Day- 6 Foods You Should Stop Eating Immediately

If you want to hit your training and physique goals, you need to fuel your body with the right foods. And while junk food may be tempting, it won’t do you any favors while you’re trying to get beach-ready. Some unhealthy foods are no-brainers, such as sugary sodas and chocolate bars, but there are plenty of “healthy” options that aren’t actually waistline-friendly.

This is, in part, due to marketing. Some foods have earned the reputation of being “fitness-friendly” because influencers have broadcasted them non-stop on their Instagram stories (we’re looking at you, 1,000-plus calorie smoothie bowls).

But as we’ve said before, gorgeous people with abs are not nutrition experts you need to listen to the actual experts. Luckily, we’ve found one for you who is a trustworthy source of information.

# White Bread

White bread is high on the Glycemic Index (GI), a system that ranks food based on its effect of blood-sugar levels. Foods with high GI have a greater impact on blood glucose levels. Does that mean since white bread has a high GI you’ll want to reach for the nearest brown bread? (Hint: No.)

Many companies take cheap white bread and stain it with caramel colors the same thing used to make Diet Coke brown. “It’s the same with white rice; the germ layer has been stripped from it. No germ layer equals no fiber equals an insulin increase. Whole grain is always better.

# Dried Fruit

Fresh fruit contains vitamins and minerals, and it’s high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Dried or dehydrated fruit can contain added sugar and sulfur to extend its shelf life. What’s more, the removal of water from the fruit can lead to overeating.

When you eat a fresh apricot, apple, or peach you might be full after eating one with something like come cottage cheese. But with dried fruit you can eat the whole box and consume thousands of calories and not feel it because the water has been removed. Also, the GI Index for dried fruit is higher than fresh food because changing the physical structure of food with the exception of water changes how your body digests the fruit.

# Pre-Made Salads

Store-bought salads can quickly turn a healthy meal into a fat bomb when the add-ons and dressing are applied to the greens. Check out how many calories are in the salad. And then look at the calories with the dressing that’s provided. Sometimes it’s nearly double!

Other salad fixins like bacon bits, cheese, croutons, dried fruits and nuts can also cause the calorie count to skyrocket if they’re not used in moderation.

# Diet Soda

A study conducted by the University of Houston found that food labels with buzzwords like “antioxidant-rich” or “gluten-free” led consumers to believe they were eating foods that were healthier than they really were. So while it says “diet” on the soda label, the artificial sweetener used to boost the taste isn’t better for your diet than the sugar it replaced.

Aside from the fact that some are dangerous and have been proven to cause cancer in lab rats, artificial sweeteners are 100 times sweeter than naturally occurring sugars like fructose and sucrose. And because they’re so sweet the body starts producing insulin. Having a little piece of sugar won’t do much damage to someone if they’re generally fit and eat well. But the fake sugar can cause your body to overproduce insulin.

# Processed Cold Cuts

Foods that are refined or pumped full of saturated fat or sodium should be limited to cameos. Processed foods are what trainers and nutritionists refer to as ‘empty calories.

“Serious lifters put their bodies through a lot, and they need foods that can help repair and replace many of the nutrients lost during a workout. Processed foods provide no nutrient value.”

# Ice Cream

Ice cream’s high calorie, sugar, and fat content make it an undesirable dessert choice when you’re objective is to stay trim and toned. Using synthetic sugars like corn syrup as an ingredient makes it even worse.

“Anyone associated with health and fitness will tell you that processed sugar which is commonly used in ice creams can be harmful. If you’re serious about maintaining a healthy look and feel, limit your intake of processed sugars and opt for more fresh fruits and vegetables instead.