Guest Post: by Andrew Salmon.
Note: Andrew’s take on some of the healthy foods really surprised me. I wonder what our readers say about this list of 6 deadly foods.
Eating right and maintaining a healthy body weight are about the two hardest things to do in today’s world of infinite menu choices. We all have (or should have) a grasp of the fundamentals where diet is concerned, but there are a few dangerous foods you might not be aware of. Here’s a list of six you may want to think twice about adding to the menu.
6. Fast Food
Okay, this one won’t rock your world. But it will rock your insides. The claim can be made that there is no such thing as healthy fast food. Usually loaded with fat, packed with sodium and sugar, we know we shouldn’t eat this stuff. Thing is, your favorite poison tastes so good! Moderation is the key word. And it does not apply just to sticking to your diet. We’re talking about your life here. Go easy!
5. Caffeine
Caffeine affects the nervous system and is a factor in high blood pressure, which can have serious repercussion down the road of life. Watch out! And we’re not just talking about coffee here. Tea, soft drinks and energy drinks like Red Bull are loaded with caffeine. If you regularly consume all of these, you might want to think of eliminating those you can do without and reducing consumption of the rest.
4. Almonds
Almonds contain hydrogen cyanide in sufficient quantities to be dangerous. Of course heating (through roasting) removes most of this deadly poison. But it is present in raw almonds which is why it is illegal to sell them in this form in some countries. If your almonds taste bitter, stop eating them. The cyanide affects the taste. You also don’t want the poison building up in your system if almonds are a treat you eat regularly.
3. Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are mostly sugar and although they provide carbs while exercising, they should be consumed sparingly and never when not exercising. Salt is also a deadly component here. The carbs, sugar and salt might be necessary when you’re sweating buckets on the playing field, but not when you’re at your desk. Stick with water.
2. Rhubarb
The leaves of this plant contain oxalic acid. As do the stalks we eat and bake with. Now the amount of this toxin in the stalks is negligible but the leaves contain a sufficient amount to be harmful. If you eat a lot of rhubarb, be certain about how it is harvested and prepared.
1. Tuna
Mercury is the culprit here. Sure there is not much in that can of tuna but if tuna features heavily in your diet, then mercury builds up in your system. It affects the kidneys and can go to the brain, causing madness and death. Watch your weekly intake.
To repeat, moderation is the key. Find healthy alternatives to the items on this list so you don’t eat them too often. As always, check the labels before you sharpen up the knife and fork.
| Andrew Salmon is a freelance writer. He writes about healthy living and finance topics, such as life insurance medical exams in Canada. |
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Good post.
Caffeine is a good source of antioxidants and it also has metabolism boosting effects. I wouldn’t demonize it as much as you have. Tuna is a very good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, especially for those on a budget. Tuna and caffeine are not major contributors to poor health.
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hearing about almond was the most frightning thing i ever had…. really man … i never thought it would be so dangarous… thanks for the update.. i m really doing some search for it ……
it was most frighting thing about almond.. in my place almond is considered that is no harm … i would certainly educate people about this……
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I thought the comment about almonds was strange….I’ve read that you should eat the raw ones and avoid the roasted ones, because the heat from roasting them turns the healthy fats rancid.
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It is sad and funny to hear about almonds in your list. But you know according to science of Ayurveda each and every plant and herb in this planet can be harmful and helpful at the both same time is true.
Poison can be really a glass of elxir in certain cases and almonds could be deadly too.. nice post
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wow, I’ve never heard that about almonds before! that’s definitely something to look into because I loooove almonds.
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Thanks for alerting people about the high levels of mercury in tuna. Sadly, all fish now are contaminated with mercury. For more information see http://www.gotmercury.org
Thanks for the additional info. I do agree with you on caffeine’s issue. I was more concerned with tuna. But precisely too much of anything is hazardous to our health. It must be taken moderately.
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Thanks for the list and I am glad there wasn’t any red wine on it because we do love red wine and good food.
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Yes, moderation is the key. Some of these foods offer enormous health benefits so it’s important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The foods we consume should be based on our current needs and too much of a good thing is as bad as too little.
Is anything you can eat these days without it killing you?