You might think the bowl of chicken nuggets you consumed is rich in proteins (because it’s chicken) or the pre-workout energy drink you just guzzled has ‘given you wings’ (pun unintended). But some of the most unsuspecting foods wreak havoc inside your gut, without you being aware of it. Here are 15 foods that you must stop consuming.
Not everything on your platter is nutritious. Beware!
1. Iced tea
Harmful ingredient: Propylene glycol alginate (E405)
That refreshing iced tea that you just consumed contains propylene glycol alginate which is used as a food thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer. It may cause cardiovascular or neurotic complications.
2. Microwaved popcorn
Harmful ingredient(s): Diacetyl, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and trans-fats
That over-priced bag of popcorn contains heart-harming trans fats, in addition to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the same toxic that goes into Teflon pots and pans. Diacetyl is found in the butter that’s used to grease the popcorn. The same compound is also known to break down the layer of cells that protects the brain!
3. Fast food chicken nuggets
Harmful ingredients: Diglycerides, Red 40 and Carrageenan
We’ve all gorged on chicken nuggets but do we know the chemicals that go into their production contain synthetic ingredients like diglycerides, Red 40 and carrageenan which are toxic!?
4. Packaged fruit juice
Harmful ingredient(s) – Fructose
Tall claims of 100% natural fruit juice are totally farce! Packaged fruit juice contains a lot of sugar in the form of fructose. You know what fructose leads to? Belly fat!
5. Sugar coated candy
Harmful Ingredients- Sugar
Sugar coated candies that we’ve all loved growing up contain artery-clogging fats! Not just that, the candy that we pop in also promote Attention Deficit Disorder in children!
6. Cereals
Harmful ingredient(s) – Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), refined carbs, added sugar
Sugar is a slow killer, a fact that none can deny, but the cereal that passes off as a ‘healthy breakfast option’ is actually laden with nothing but sugary syrup. The added chemical substances namely BHT and BHA are known to have carcinogenic properties.
7. Diet colas
Harmful Ingredient(s): Caramel coloring, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), Bisphenol A (BPA), aspartame
They might be low in terms of sugar, but they have other constituents that wreak total havoc! BPA is linked to obesity and BVO is a chemical used in rocket fuel that has the potential to reduce fertility and negatively affect thyroid hormones.
8. Dairy creamers
Harmful Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, trans fats, added sugar
Consuming dairy creamer is akin to drinking sunblock lotion! Titanium dioxide, found in dairy creamer is also capable of blocking UV radiation! The trans fats in dairy creamers has been shown to diminish memory in adults.
9. Processed meat
Harmful Ingredients: Nitrate and salt
The bacons and sausages you gorge on for breakfast contain nitrates, a preservative that hampers the body’s natural ability to process sugar, putting you at a risk of diabetes. The sodium in them contributes to hypertension that could make you bloat and increase chances of heart diseases.
10. Fried food (french fries and fried chicken)
Harmful Ingredient: Hydrogenated Oil
These tasty items are deep fried in hydrogenated oil. Anything that’s cooked with hydrogenated oils and carries trans fats could contribute to depression.
11. Chinese food
Harmful Ingredient: Monosodium Glutamate
Chinese delicacies are laced with Monosodium Glutamate, a flavour enhancer which is also found in soups and processed meats. According to research, the chemicals found in MSG cause a drastic increase in appetite.
12. Energy drinks
Harmful Ingredient: Sucrose, Glucose, Caffeine
Don’t let the strange cough-syrupy taste fool you into believing that you’re deriving the real benefits of the energy drinks; this overpriced concoction contains nothing but caffeine and a lot of sugar (artificial sweeteners). A University of Maryland study found energy drinks to be more corrosive to the teeth than regular soda!
13. Icecreams
Harmful Ingredients: Soybean oil, titanium dioxide, artificial coloring
The ‘premium’ brick ice creams are overloaded with soybean oil (a fat linked to weight gain) in addition to sugar. Some of them even contain titanium dioxide, the same agent that gives sunblock cream its white hue!
14. Sports drinks
Harmful Ingredients: Wood rosin and artificial dyes
The electrolyte solution that pumps in lost salts back into the body is effective no doubt, but it also comes with a hearty serving of calories and sugar! Additives like wood rosin and artificial dyes have been linked to hyperactivity and cancer.
15. Frozen fish
Harmful Ingredient: tert-Butylhydroquinone
This ingredient is used in many food and non-food items, including frozen fish and fish products. It’s basically a preservative that extends storage life and consumption of it in high doses may cause stomach tumours.
