No one sticks to a healthy diet every single day of their life, not even a nutritionist. There’s nothing wrong with relaxing your diet rules once in a while; in fact, it’s actually better to do this since it helps to control cravings and you don’t feel imprisoned by your diet. But there are some foods that are so unhealthy that you should just give them up completely.
Foods Nutritionists NEVER Eat
Nutritionists don’t recommend rigid diet plans and very often they suggest a “cheat day” to make sure that you stay on track with your diet and reach your goals. However, some foods have little or no nutritive value and instead they contain a whole lot of unhealthy carbs, fats, and other additives that will not only hijack your diet goals but will also wreck your overall health. You might want to consider giving up these foods for good.
1. Packaged Fruit Juice
“Packaged fruit juice causes a sudden spike in blood sugar levels which increases the risk of weight gain”
Packaged fruit juice is marketed as a healthy option to colas, but the truth is that they can be just as harmful. Even if packaged fruit juice is labeled as “100% pure” it doesn’t mean very much because a lot of these are terms are not regulated by authorities.
Packaged fruit juice is very high in sugar and what’s worse is that it is quickly absorbed by your body which leads to a spike in blood sugar levels and this increases the risk of weight gain.
2. Samosa & Vada Pav
“A single vada or samosa pav can pack 400+ calories and are high in unhealthy fats”
There’s nothing like a fresh hot samosa or vada pav, either at the start of your day or as a comfort food to wind up a long day. A single vada or samosa pav can contain 400+ calories and let’s face it no one eats just one! But it’s not just the calorie count that makes this snack unhealthy; it’s also that vendors use cheap quality oils which are high in unhealthy trans fats. They also reuse the same oil repeatedly, which results in the formation of free radicals that are linked to premature aging, liver, and heart disease.
3. Coke & Diet Sodas
“1 can of coke contains 10 teaspoons of sugar, which would normally make you puke but phosphoric acid is added to it to make sure that you don’t”
If there was an award for the unhealthiest thing you can consume, colas would win hands down! The damage starts with the first sip where it attacks the enamel of your teeth; it then goes onto ruin your bone health and increases your risk of obesity, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. 1 can of Coke contains 10 teaspoons of sugar, which would normally make you puke and the only reason you don’t is that phosphoric acid is added to it to ensure that you don’t. Diet sodas are no better as researchers say that the artificial sweeteners in diet sodas may contribute to weight gain.
4. Jalebi Fafda
” Jalebi fafda is a delicious Gujrati breakfast food but a single serving can have up to 700 calories”
Jalebi fafda is a staple Gujrati breakfast, but it’s been gaining popularity with just about everyone. Fafdas are a type of deeply fried papad, while jalebis are deep fried and then dipped in sugar syrup so it shouldn’t come as a shock that this breakfast food can pack a whopping 700 calories! Nutritionists say Jalebi fafda is particularly unhealthy as it is very high in both fats and sugars and researchers say that a combination of a high-fat high-sugar and chronic stress drastically increases the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
5. Biscuits
“The high content of trans fats in biscuits increases bad cholesterol and decreases good cholesterol levels”
You go over to your friend’s house and the first thing his mother does is make you sit down for a cup of chai with Khari or Marie biscuits… or if this is your first visit, Bourbon biscuits! Yup, every Indian home has a biscuit box that is continuously replenished and never empty. Biscuits might seem like a healthy food, but nutritionists now warn that Indian biscuits have a high content of trans fats that increase bad cholesterol and decreases good cholesterol levels. Even though it doesn’t seem like it, biscuits are very high in calories – even the humble khari biscuit can contain up to 100 calories so maybe it’s time to switch to just a cup of green tea instead.
6. Sooji Ka Halwa
“Just one piece of sooji ka halwa provides up to 450 calories & 25 grams of fat”
There’s nothing unhealthy about sooji itself, but sooji ka halwa is a whole different story! This sticky dessert is particularly popular with people who have a sweet tooth but it is one of the unhealthiest Indian foods. A single piece of sooji ka halwa can provide up to 450 calories but that’s not the worst of it. This sweet is particularly high in fat and sugar – a deadly combination for any dieter, as it will go straight to their love handles!
7. Instant Noodles
” Instant noodles are a high-calorie food with a low nutritive content along with high amounts of sodium, unhealthy carbs, & bad fats”
There’s nothing like a bowl of hot instant noodles on a rainy day or any other day for that matter! None of us believe that noodles are a great source of nutrition, but we don’t fully realize just how unhealthy instant noodles can be. In addition to their high caloric content, they are also a high-calorie food that is high in sodium, unhealthy carbs, and bad fats. Studies have linked instant noodles to
metabolic syndrome and an increase in belly fat.
You’re probably a little shocked that so many of your favorite foods are so unhealthy, but there’s no need to despair. Instead of just giving up on snacks and treats, substitute them for healthy ones – for instance, you can make your own healthy chips at home. Even if you’re eating out, you can keep it healthy – there are plenty of healthy food tips that you can follow for tips on healthy eating in your city.
