Processed food may cause hormonal imbalance including insulin secretion. Try to avoid processed food like breakfast cereals, tinned soup, breads, sauces and ready meals.
Almost all packaged foods contain sodium. Every time you prepare or eat a packaged food, know how much sodium is in one serving to keep tab on your daily consumption. 1500 mg/day for age above 51, while 2300 mg/day for others. The average intake of sodium is about 3400 mg, most of it coming from processed foods.
Calories obtained from fructose (found in sugary beverages such as soda, energy and sports drinks, coffee drinks, and processed foods like doughnuts, muffins, cereals) are more likely to turn you into an “apple” by adding weight around your abdomen. Cutting back on sugary foods can mean a slimmer waistline as well as a lower risk of diabetes.
Chips, cakes, biscuits and other processed foods may be convenient for snack-box for kids but they are loaded with unhealthy fats, sodium and preservatives. Instead, cultivate good eating habits by giving them home-cooked variety, dry-fruits and home-baked cakes, cookies etc.
Don’t forget to check the nutrition labels on prepared and packaged foods, because up to 75 percent of the sodium we consume is hidden in processed foods. Watch for the words ‘soda’ and ‘sodium’ and the symbol ‘Na’ on labels, which mean sodium compounds are present.
Skin care during summer, a lot depends on the right foods. Eat skin-friendly foods such as vegetables and fruits in the form of salads, steamed veggies, juices and smoothies in order to load up on antioxidants and flavonoids and reduce the intake of sugar, refined foods and processed foods.