8 foods you shouldn’t eat

When it comes to food, there is a popular saying that says: “what doesn’t kill you, makes you fat”. Do you agree? Before answering, it’s important to know that some foods not only make you fat, but can literally kill your body little by little.

Many items that we take to the plate daily, especially industrialized ones, contain significant amounts of toxins and chemicals that over time harm our health. Usually these foods are among the most appetizing and practical to prepare. So, how to eliminate them from the diet? According to nutritionist Priscila Azevedo, you don’t have to be radical. “All foods are allowed – except those restricted due to illness – as long as they are consumed in moderation,” she explains.

Below, you will find a list of the eight foods that are most harmful to health. Watch out for them and replace them whenever possible.

1. Microwave Popcorn

Virtually all components of microwave popcorn are bad for your health. It contains genetically modified corn kernels, processed salt and chemicals used to preserve the flavor – a combination that makes it one of the most harmful foods to the body.

Studies show that some chemicals present in the package vaporize and migrate to the popcorn. These toxins accumulate in the body and can stay in the body for many years.

If you like popcorn, prepare it the conventional way – using a pan. And for flavor use real butter or other options.

2. Semi-prepared frozen meals

Ready-to-eat foods are full of preservatives and sodium, which can increase blood pressure. In addition, frozen foods are rich in saturated fat, which raises the levels of bad cholesterol and, consequently, favors the development of cardiovascular diseases, emphasizes Priscila Azevedo.

Therefore, despite the practicality, this type of food should not be part of your daily menu.

3. Foods that contain nitrates and nitrites

Nitrites and nitrates are chemical compounds used as preservatives in many processed meats (also called sausages), such as bacon, salami, bologna and sausage. They are responsible for preserving the red color of the meat and inhibiting the proliferation of bacteria, increasing the shelf life of the food.

However, when in our body, nitrites and nitrates are converted into potentially carcinogenic substances.

4. Margarine

Most margarines are made with hydrogenated liquid vegetable oils, which are basically trans fat. “These fats are not recognized by the body, which does not metabolize them.”, explains nutritionist Priscila Azevedo. This causes accumulation of fat in the abdominal region and promotes increased levels of bad cholesterol and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, she adds.

Ideally, it should be consumed in moderation, a knife edge without excess. An even healthier alternative is to replace margarine with extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.

5. Non-organic strawberries

According to experts, in some fruit crops the presence of more than 13 pesticides has been identified. Among the health problems generated by these drugs are hormonal imbalances that cause obesity, depression and reduced male fertility.

The recommendation is, whenever possible, to opt for organic fruits and vegetables.

6. White chocolate

Pure cocoa is a very good food for health. It is rich in flavonoids – antioxidant substances that fight free radicals and prevent premature aging. But in the case of white chocolate, there are no such benefits. This is because it is made only from cocoa fat combined with sugar and vanilla essence.

7. Canned tomatoes

The acidity of the tomato causes the resin used in the lining of the can to increase the level of bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxic that affects the body’s hormonal balance. Studies show that this imbalance decreases sperm production, causing infertility.

The solution is to give preference to tomatoes packaged in glass jars.

8. Swordfish

The white meat of fish is always on the list of the healthiest foods and extremely recommended to keep your health up to date. However, researchers have found that consumption of some species can increase the risk of heart attack due to the high concentration of mercury, as is the case with swordfish.

The recommendation is to replace it with other types of fish, such as tuna and salmon – for example.

It is known that food care is extremely important for health. The Greek thinker Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, already recommended: “May your food be your medicine”. From these tips, you have a starting point on some items that should be considered rare (if not eliminated) from your everyday menu.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.