Foods You Should Be Avoiding at All Costs
By Genevieve Cunningham
Diet is not an easy thing to manage. While we have the desire to get it under control and be healthy and fit, we don't always have the know-how. We don't always understand which foods to eat and which foods to avoid. And then we often jump in, full steam ahead, and then we wonder why we fail. It's too much too fast! Luckily, you can start slow and build a healthy diet over time. How do you get started? If you're ready to get your diet moving in a better direction, take a look at these foods to avoid starting today.
Chips
Chips are good because they're easy. They require zero preparation. All you have to do is buy them, open them, and snack away. But chips don't provide you any benefits. They are calorie dense, sodium packed, and are terrible for your diet in general. If you can find a healthier option -- maybe sweet potato chips or veggie sticks -- then you're a little better off. But avoiding this common snack is your best bet.
Donuts
Donuts are delicious. There's certainly no adequate substitution for the sugary goodness of a warm donut. But donuts are absolutely cram-packed with sugar and fat. It's easy to think that this one donut won't hurt, and it might not. But it doesn't take much before the sugar and fat contribute to poor health and overall weight gain. Do your best to avoid this unhealthy breakfast food, and stick to healthier options instead.
Soda
Soda has zero nutritional content. If you choose to drink soda, you're filling your body with empty calories. This means that they count toward your daily intake, but they don't contribute to your nutrition in any way, shape, or form. While diet soda (without aspartame!) might be better than traditional soda, you can't really replace the healthiest drink: water. If you can't go without the flavor, spruce up your water. But do what you can to eliminate soda from your diet completely.
You don't have to be super restrictive in your diet, but you definitely need to pay attention to what goes into your mouth. Avoid these foods if at all possible. Over time, you can build up your menu to avoid more unhealthy foods and include more super foods for a diet that makes you feel your best every day.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charlotte, N.C.