9 most harmful foods according to scientists

We all know that fatty, fried, salty, and sweet foods are bad for our health. But have you ever wondered why? And is there a healthy alternative to unhealthy foods?

The FoodOboz editorial team gives a list of foods that are harmful to our body and tells you what you can replace them with.

Fried foods

We think it's no secret that fried foods are considered unhealthy. In addition to the fact that the frying process involves a huge amount of oil (which greatly increases the calorie content of the dish), the oil also releases harmful chemical compounds during cooking, many of which have been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer and heart disease.

How to replace it?

Choose other methods of food processing: boil, stew, bake, blanch, and steam.

Chips and fries

In fact, white potatoes are quite healthy, it all depends on how you cook them. At the same time, chips and French fries are incredibly high in calories and can contain large amounts of acrylamide, a carcinogenic substance that is formed when potatoes are fried. Studies show that these foods are the cause of obesity in many countries.

How to replace them?

Just boil or bake potatoes. And if you want to crunch on something, choose carrots or nuts.

Soda

These drinks contain a huge amount of sugar, which is not known to be good for our health. The tricky thing about sugary soda is that when we drink it, we get a calorie intake, but the brain doesn't react to it as "food". Therefore, you will feel hungry anyway.

Scientists confirm that consuming sugar in large quantities can cause insulin resistance (increased plasma insulin concentrations) and contribute to the development of fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

How to replace it?

Water. Regular filtered or mineral water. If you want water with flavor, add fruit or berries to your glass.

Juice from a package

Yes, most packaged juices also belong to the category of "junk food" because they also contain a lot of sugar. Studies have shown that almost all juices in supermarkets contain the same amount of sugar as Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

What to replace it with?

Fresh. It will be useful to buy a juicer and make your own juices, so you will know for sure that there are no harmful additives.

Coffee drinks

Scientists have no complaints about coffee itself: the drink is rich in antioxidants and has many beneficial properties. What's more, studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease. However, instant coffee and espresso-based cocktails do not bring any benefits to the body: the combination of cream, sugar, syrups, and various additives turns coffee into a real sugar bomb. Often, this drink can be sweeter than a glass of soda.

What to replace it with?

Black coffee. If you want a milder flavor, add cream or milk and natural sweeteners.

Pastries and desserts

All sweets have virtually no useful nutrients, while containing huge amounts of sugar, flour, trans fats, and preservatives (if we're talking about store-bought products). There is absolutely no point in eating such foods, as they contribute to obesity and micronutrient deficiencies.

How to replace it?

Dried fruits, honey, fresh fruit, and extra dark chocolate

Low-calorie yogurt

Unfortunately, it's true. Most supermarket yogurts have virtually no benefits. Especially those that manufacturers call low-calorie: yes, they are low in fat, but they contain too much sugar. In this way, manufacturers are trying to compensate for the flavor that fat provides to yogurt. In addition, many yogurts do not contain probiotic bacteria, as everyone is used to thinking: the product undergoes a pasteurization process that destroys most of the beneficial bacteria.

What to replace it with?

Buy plain natural full-fat yogurt without any flavoring additives.

Processed cheese

Processed cheeses are usually made from substances with a high content of emulsifiers, vegetable oils, sodium, food colors, preservatives, and sugar. Such products have nothing to do with real cheese.

What to replace it with?

Natural cheese. Eat cottage cheese, feta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese.

Sausage and sausages

Nutritionists advise not to completely exclude meat from your diet: it is a complete protein, B vitamins, and the most important source of iron. However, no nutritionist will advise you to eat sausages, sausage, bacon, and other types of processed meat. And that's not surprising: studies show that people who eat processed meat are at a higher risk of serious diseases, including colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

What to replace it with?

If you really want sausages, look for farmers who make organic sausages, bacon, and sausages - almost everything can now be ordered with home delivery.