I often jump on top of my soap box to anyone who will listen about certain foods. For example, I have always told my Dad "do not eat that Alfredo sauce! It's like a heart attack on a plate!" Ummm...it's true by the way.
Anyway, I have shared foods that are great for you - filling, tasty and nutritious. I feel like it's time to explore those items that can jeopardize your health the most. Don't get mad if I list your faves. This list is based on an analysis of the nutritional values, not necessarily just my opinion.
Ok, here goes...
1. Hot dogs: Our ballpark fave is one of the worst offenders, not just because of the meat, non-meat, not sure what's in part, but because of the white bun and chili we top it with. "What really gets hot dogs on the list is that they may just give you cancer! Hot dogs as well as other cured meats contain nitrates. While harmless by themselves nitrates in our bodies can eventually be converted into nitrosamines which are powerful carcinogens."
The average American eats 60 hot dogs a year. Ick. Let's cut that down to maybe just one or two per year on a special occasion...like if you went to the World Series!
2. Alfredo sauce: In honor of the Yankees run to the World Series, let's look at the stats for 1 cup of this creamy sauce - 250 calories, 18 grams of fat (most of which are the bad kind), 27 mg of cholesterol and 17 grams of carbs. That is for one measly cup! Have you ever had pasta with only one cup of sauce? May as well double this = 500 calories, 36 grams of fat, 54 mg of cholesterol, 34 grams of carbs. With stats like that, it's a wonder that ANYONE can knowingly eat that mess. Sorry to burst your bubble of blissful naivety.
3. French fries / Onion rings: I get a little angry when I think about how Americans can take something pretty darn nutritious like a potato or an onion and make it so unhealthy! Ok, maybe the French helped us some...
Sure, some french fries are prepared better than others, but I'm talking about the fast food kind. According to the Associated Content, even though fries "come different ways at different places, none of them are actually good for you. If you know you are getting a French fry from an actual cut and fried potato these are going to be better for you than the fast food kind. The fast food fry contains carcinogens, lots of sodium and other non nutritious things."
Skip 'em.
4. Ice Cream: This one pains me the most. The cream used is real ice cream is incredibly high in fat and calories. Then when Ben & Jerry get a hold of it and add all the other sweet goodness, you've got a diet buster of the worst kind. Not to mention that the most common time for consuming ice cream is in the evening when we are most sedentary. There are better alternatives.
5. Bacon: Nothing says "good morning" like the smell of fresh bacon cooking. That delish smell is none other than fried fat and sodium, though. "Two pieces of bacon, cooked and drained will be about 120 calories and up to 10 grams of fat and that is when drained. If you aren't draining your bacon you can double those numbers."
The nitrates in bacon have also been linked to stomach, pancreatic and colon cancer. Boo for bacon.
6. Donuts: You know that tempting, innocent looking hot pink number with the sprinkles? Run away screaming! I cannot think of a worse offender in the sweets family. It is packed with calories, sugar, fat and sodium. Fried dough? What in heaven's name were they thinking when this was invented? Donuts are even worse because they are generally eaten for breakfast, which because of the high sugar and carbs spikes your blood sugar with a very vicious crash. One donut has abut 300 calories and 19 grams of fat. And when is the last time you had just one?
Next time you bring breakfast to the office, opt for breakfast burritos. Still not the best thing for you, but a helluva lot better than this round devil.
7. Regular Soda: Liquid candy. Seriously. Soda is jam-packed with high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, sodium, preservatives and EMPTY calories. You may as well eat a couple sugar packets. I don't hate on any particular brand over another. They are all BAD. I've also heard that you can dissolve a nail in a glass of Coca-Cola. Mythbusters says "no," but the fact that it was even tested tells you about the acidity. I am not willing to put that kind of toxin in my body.
But what if you love the fizz? I'm with you. I do like a little carbonation. It tickles your nose and complements popcorn so well. Diet sodas have come a long way. Diet Dr Pepper tastes sweet and indulgent. Although I am not a fan of sodas in general, diet included, every now and again I will indulge in one. But, my healthy friends, the negative ingredients outweigh the momentary fizzy delight.
8. White bread: There is little else that packs on more weight than refined carbs, like white bread. This also includes hot dog buns, white pitas, white bread at restaurants, etc. Banish it from your diet! Some dietitians would say that you shouldn't eat anything white - white bread, white sugar, white sauces, etc.
According to Tanya Zuckerbrot, inventor of skinnyandthecity.com, “[white bread] shoots your blood sugar up and then you crash. The fiber in whole wheat slows the digestion down so you feel fuller longer and fiber helps stabilize the blood sugar."
9. Mayo: With 110 calories and 11 grams of fat in 2 just tablespoons, mayo is pure evil for watching the waistline. "The fat in mayo is polyunsaturated, which isn’t as bad as saturated or trans fats, but it’s not as good as monounsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fat can lower your bad cholesterol but it does not increase your good cholesterol,” according to my buddy Tanya Zuckerbrot.
When it comes to mayo, it just doesn't cut the mustard. Ha!
10. Packaged Pastries: Sorry Little Debbie. You are much better off getting a fresh pastry from a bakery than to eat a packaged treat with loads of fat, calories and preservatives. This dessert lover just says no to ding-dongs. Empty calories. And they really don't taste as good as something fresh.
Did I ruin your lunch plans?
The good news is that almost all of these foods can be made better for you, lower in fat and lower in calories. Why negate all of your great efforts with these foods? Stay tuned for the yin to these unhealthy yangs. I will post later this week...
For the love of God, put down the hot dog on white bread with mayo, fries and Coke. Walk quickly to the trash and find something else to eat!
Sources: Associated Content, Askthetrainer.com, The Today Show, New York Daily News
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