8 Foods That Are Worse Than Cigarettes

Scientists discovered that lacking important nutrients can harm your health. However some products, which we include in our diet for their so called beneficial qualities, might also be destructive for our bodies. Among them are fresh fruit juices that look healthy in comparison with other fizzy drinks, but can actually bring you one step closer to diabetes.

At Bright Side we decided to find out which other products can actually be slowly damaging your body, just like smoking does.

1. Fresh fruit juices

Fruits are considered vital for your nutrition and fresh juices are an easy way to add them to your daily ration. However, in liquid form, fruits lose the majority of their healthy elements, like fiber, which plays an important role in the prevention of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Moreover, the uncontrolled consumption of juices might actually cause these health problems because of the amount of sugar they contain. In fact, some of them have as much sugar as a whole can of Coke!

It is recommended to eat a whole piece of fruit instead of drinking juice. One fruit is enough to make you full and satisfy your craving for something sweet, whereas to make a glass of juice it usually requires a few fruits at one time.

2. Granola bars

Although rich in nutrients, some granola bars are also rich in added sugar. According to the Nutrient Database, most popular bars contain from 15 to 30 g of sugar per serving. On the other hand, if chosen properly, snack bars are a perfect way to kill hunger and avoid overeating since they are pre-proportioned and contain a lot of vital nutrients. A perfect bar should have at least 3 g of fiber, 5 g of protein, and less than 10 g of sugar.

3. Sushi

Sushi itself is not harmful. However, it’s the various ingredients and additives in sushi that cause the main problem. A lot of rolls nowadays contain mayonnaise, cream cheese, sauces, and other controversial products that increase the nutritional value of sushi and make a random set of rolls worth a whole day’s calorie intake. To avoid weight problems opt for simple rolls with salmon or go for sashimi.

4. Farm-bred fish

This problem concerns sushi as well. Wild fish is a rich source of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. But its content is highly dependent on what the fish eats. Unfortunately, the fish we buy at supermarkets doesn’t usually come from the ocean, but from farms. Therefore, not only do they lack healthy nutrients, but they also contain chemical additives that farmers use to make them grow faster.

Try to find a reliable source of fresh fish in your town and don’t hesitate to ask where those sushi chefs buy the fish that is wrapped up in your Philadelphia roll.

5. Fat-free foods

in the last century, a fat-free diet was a boom. Until nutritionists realized that manufacturers started to replace healthy fats with processed sugar in order to maintain the natural flavor of the product. So, instead of having what seemed like a healthy snack, you were literally consuming a disguised sugar bomb. Now experts recommend opting for dairy items that are rich in protein and healthy fats, like cottage cheese or Greek yogurt, which don’t contain any processed sugar.

6. Cereals

Cereals have always been considered to be a simple solution for a healthy and nutritious breakfast. However, not all types of cereals provide the same amount of benefits. the majority of them are made out of refined grains. During this processing, cereals lose a significant amount of fiber and other nutrients that help you to stay full. Not to mention the amount of sugar added to the cereals to make them taste better and be more attractive to kids.

Increased sugar intake can result in diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Instead of cereals, go for oatmeal or whole-grain alternatives — which contain enough fiber to keep you full and energetic.

7. White bread

White bread is another product made from refined grains that lacks healthy nutrients and fiber. Whereas fiber contributes to a healthy weight, good blood pressure, and a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the fact that white bread doesn’t have it may be the reason why you face all these problems.

Whole-grain breads could be a good alternative. Moreover, studies have shown that daily consumption reduces the risks of developing the diseases mentioned above.

8. Soy

Soy may be equally as harmful for your health as it is for ecology. Soy crops are said to be the most destructive monocrops since they rob the soil of nutrients and leave it completely devastated. Moreover, most soybeans are genetically modified, which means you hardly get any of the promised nutrients from them.

Another problem with soy is its high concentration of isoflavones, or plant estrogens, that increase their level in your body and disrupt your menstrual cycle. For the same reason, soy intake is usually connected with an increased activity of thyroid hormones, which can lead to unexpected weight loss, sweating, and the swelling of your neck.

Did you know these foods weren’t that healthy? Do you know of any other food that does more harm than good? Tell us which of these facts you find the most fascinating.