1) White
bread, refined flours. By definition, white bread and refined flours in general
are toxic for your body because they have been stripped of virtually all
vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Because of this, the
body does not know how to properly digest and assimilate these so-called foods,
which can lead to health problems. Refined white flour has also been bleached
with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have
been linked to causing thyroid and organ damage.
2)
Conventional frozen meals. Most conventionally-prepared frozen meals are loaded
with preservatives, processed salt, hydrogenated oils and other artificial
ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily
pre-cooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal at best (especially after
getting microwaved again at home). With the exception of a few truly healthy
frozen meal brands such as Amy's and Organic Bistro, most frozen meals are
little more than disease in a box, so avoid them in favor of fresh foods.
3) White
rice. Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients,
and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice
in its brown form. Even so-called "fortified" white rice is
nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much
differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly and does not cause
the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does.
4)
Microwaveable popcorn. This processed food is a favorite among moviegoers and regular
snackers alike, but it is one of the
unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically every component of microwaveable
popcorn, from the genetically-modified (GM) corn kernels to the processed salt
and preservative chemicals used to enhance its flavor, is unhealthy and
disease-promoting. On top of this, microwaveable popcorn contains a chemical
known as diacetyl that can actually destroy your lungs. If you love popcorn,
stick with organic kernels that you can pop yourself in a kettle and douse with
healthy ingredients like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and Himalayan pink
salt.
5) Cured meat products with nitrates,
nitrites. Deli meats, summer sausage, hot dogs, bacon, and many other meats
sold at the grocery store are often loaded with sodium nitrite and other
chemical preservatives that have been linked to causing heart disease and
cancer. If you eat meat, stick with uncured, nitrite and nitrate-free
varieties, and preferably those that come from organic, grass-fed animals.
6) Most conventional protein, energy bars.
By the way they are often marketed, it might seem as though protein and energy
bars are a strong addition to a healthy diet. But more often than not, these
meal replacements contain processed soy protein, refined sugar, hydrogenated
fat, and other harmful additives that contribute to chronic illness. Not all
protein and energy bars are bad, of course -- Thunderbird Energetica, Organic
Food Bar, Boku Superfood, Vega Sport, PROBAR, and Zing all make healthy protein
and energy bars. Just be sure to read the ingredient labels and know what you
are buying.
7) Margarine. Hidden in all sorts of
processed foods, margarine, a hydrogenated trans-fat oil, is something you will
want to avoid at all costs for your health. Contrary to popular belief, butter
and saturated fats in general are not unhealthy, especially when they are
derived from pastured animals that feed on grass rather than corn and soy. And
if animal-based fats are not for you, stick with extra-virgin coconut oil or
olive oil rather than margarine.
8) Soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes.
One of the biggest health frauds of modern times, the soy craze is a fad that
you will want to skip. Besides the fact that nearly all non-organic soy
ingredients are of GM origin, most soy additives are processed using a toxic
chemical known as hexane, which is linked to causing birth defects,
reproductive problems, and cancer. Soy that has not been fermented is also
highly estrogenic, which can throw your natural hormone balance out of whack.
9) "Diet" anything. Many
so-called "diet" products on the market today contains artificial
sweeteners like aspartame (Equal) and sucralose (Splenda), both of which are
linked to causing neurological damage, gastrointestinal problems, and endocrine
disruption. Many diet products also contain added chemical flavoring agents to
take the place of fat and other natural components that have been removed to
artificially reduce calorie content. Instead, stick with whole foods that are
as close to nature as possible, including high-fat foods grown the way nature
intended, and your body will respond surprisingly well.
Thanks for reading.
Matt 'keeping you healthy' Smith
PS keep an eye out for the '9 Foods You Should Definitely Be Eating' blog post.
PPS get's lots of daily tips on health and fitness by clicking here
article taken from: http://www.naturalnews.com/038467_foods_avoid_processed_meat.html
