For many families, whole foods have become a rare part of their normal diet. Foods that have been chemically processed or that have added preservatives are generally inexpensive and easy to find.
However, eating these processed foods regularly can have a serious impact on your health. Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider how you eat.
Sugar
Many processed foods and snacks contain a lot of sugar to give them a sweet, irresistible taste. But, including too much sugar in your diet is sure to have a negative impact on your health.
For starters, sugars provide what are known as “empty calories,” which means that they don’t give your body much of what it needs apart from energy. However, the effects of excessive sugar can be far more severe. Too many sweets can cause insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides. These things are associated with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Refined Carbohydrates
Different diet plans each take a different stance on carbohydrate intake. For some people, carbs are a primary source of energy. Others avoid eating carbs as much as they can. However, whether you seek out carbs or stay away from them, the important thing is to go for carbs that come from whole foods rather than processed foods.
The carbs that are usually found in processed foods are refined, “simple” carbs which are quickly broken down by our bodies. This leads to a spike in both blood sugar and insulin levels.
Trans Fats
Processed foods often contain high levels of unhealthy trans fats. Trans fats and processed vegetable oils are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. These vegetable oils can be tough to avoid as a part of your diet, since it has so many uses in the kitchen. Instead, try to use more wholesome oils such as olive oil.
Low Levels of Fibre
Processed foods are typically low in fibre, which is also lost or removed during processing. But, fibre has a number of positive effects on our bodies. It helps to get our digestive system going, which makes it effective at fighting constipation. fibre also helps to boost beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which helps to promote healthy digestion.
One of the most positive effects of fibre is that is slows down the rate that our bodies process carbs, which can help us to feel fuller for longer.
Processed food can be hard to avoid. Not only is it commonplace in the supermarket, but also most fast food restaurants use processed ingredients while preparing their meals. Cutting down on processed foods will often mean saving money, which is a great benefit; but even more, your body will thank you for it in the long run.
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