Have you ever thought, what your body would say if it could talk? Well! You must have heard of the old saying "You are what you eat". But did you ever try to understand its meaning and how relevant it is to your health?
Study says a human body has up to 100 trillion cells and each of them requires specific nutrients daily to function optimally. Food affects every aspect of your being, including your energy levels, thinking capability, sleep cycle, food cravings, mood swings, sex drive, and general health. And basically, whatever you eat that ultimately reflects your health and lifestyle.
How Foods That Delight Your Tongue May Pose Detrimental Effects on Your Body?
Well, unhealthy eating is the primary cause of obesity, along with lowering your brainpower and physical strength. So, below I have stated some food items that though delight your taste buds, can pose serious health issues.
1. Sugary Drinks
Is sipping chilled soft drinks after every meal your food habit? If yes, then it’s high time that you change it. These carbonated beverages on regular consumption can drive your insulin resistance, thereby increasing blood sugar level in your body. Also, these drinks can result in fatty liver disease.
Food cravings are the dieter’s worst enemy.
These are intense or uncontrollable desires for specific foods, stronger than normal hunger. The types of foods that people crave are highly variable, but these are often processed junk foods that are high in sugar.
Is Sugar Craving killing your Perfect Diet Plan? 🍭🍩🍿🎂🍪🍦
2. Pizza/ Burger
Well, these are the most favourite fast foods of every child as well as adults. But do you know, these mouthwatering dishes might harm your health? Pizza or burger include highly-refined dough, heavily processed meat, and other unhealthy ingredients. Also, since they provide a high amount of calories, one can quickly gain weight from eating them. While having them, check if they have Raagi Crust or Wheat Thin Crust Options. Always opt in for more veggies and lesser cheese variants, while you enjoy your Cheat Meals one in a while.
3. Packaged Fruit Juices
The packed juices available in the market contain a high amount of liquid sugar as much as any sugary drink. Also, it possesses artificial additives that can cause neurological issues.
4. Sweetened Breakfast Cereals
We all have eventually learned to eat breakfast cereals in the morning to maintain good health? But the ugly truth is that for all these ages, we have been just eating unhealthy processed breakfast cereals that are highly toxic for the human body.
Processed cereal grains like oats, corn, rice, etc. are roasted, pulped, shredded, flaked, or rolled to make them taste amusing. Make sure you pick up the "No Sugar Added" Variants.
5. Fried Food
Foods cooked in this way contain chemical compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Acrolein heterocyclic amines, Acrylamides, etc. So, these also increase the risk of cancer and heart diseases.
6. Highly Processed Foods
These foods are often packaged and loaded with excess sugar, salt, and fat to make it palatable, but it comes with too low nutritional value. So, if you don't want to be a victim of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, avoid having processed foods as much as possible.
Is it Possible to Sustain a Healthy Lifestyle Without Compromising with the Taste?
Yes, you can eat healthy, that too with delight. But how? Well, there are a hell lot of food items that not only provide you with adequate nutrients but also taste yummy; you can check out the list given below.
Eat More Proteins
Proteins are the most significant source of essential nutrients, and that’s why you should consume it in your every meal. You can eat any of the following items:
Chicken
Tuna
Cheese
Soy
Beans
Peas
Eggs
Plain Yogurt
Carbs, What the fuss?
While many of us avoid carbs from our daily meals, let me tell you it helps in keeping our body and brain active for the long run. So, carbs in your diet is a must!
Potatoes
Rice
Oatmeals
Corn
Chickpeas
Millet
Whole grain flour
Pasta
Healthy Fats
Hold on! Do not get confused. Every fat is not bad for health. Foods consisting of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are good for your heart and general health. Following are some of the food sources of healthy fats:
Nuts
Seeds
Avocado
Cocoa powder
Carob powder
Vegetable oil
Coconut
Drink...
Beverages are an essential food item to keep your body fit and healthy. Hence, as an alternative to all those sugary sodas, consume healthier drinks, like
Smoothie
Fresh homemade juice
Cow milk substitute almond/ oat/ cereal/ soy milk
Final Words:
Do you wish to lead a healthy lifestyle? If yes, then eat healthy, and strictly avoid junk or processed foods. The more frequent you eat healthily, the easier you are prone to indulge in good eating habits.
So, why don’t you utilise this COVID-19 pandemic situation to develop good health by eating the right stuff at home? Do talk about your views in the comment box below.