The food you eat plays a massive role in your health, and sometimes your choices don’t serve you well. If you’re worried about your heart health, you know how important it is to keep your cholesterol levels in check. However, that’s often easier said than done.
Some ingredients can wreak havoc on your cholesterol levels, putting you at risk of heart disease and stroke. They’re like a game of roulette, playing with your health, and you never know what the end result might be.
If you’re ready to take care of your heart then these are the foods you should stop eating right away. Experts agree these items can harm your health, and you’re better off without them.
1. Bread
To some people, bread is an essential part of every meal. If you’re one of them and can’t live without it, you should know that this this seemingly harmless food item could actually be increasing your cholesterol levels.
Made with refined fluor, most bread isn’t the smartest thing you can put into your body. While there are healthier alternatives, white bread, which most of us consume daily, is definitely something you should consider removing from your menu.
2. Red meat
You might wonder if this is a mistake, but you read that right. Red meat may seem like a healthy option packed with protein, but it’s also high in cholesterol.
Filled with saturated fats, certain cuts of meat are actually bad for you. Of course, you need to be aware that this also has to do with the amount of meat you eat on a daily bases. If you can’t go a day without red meat, it might be time to reconsider your choices.
Even if you think you’re providing your body with healthy protein, you could actually be doing the opposite and putting your heart under stress.
3. Processed meat
This one shouldn’t come as a surprise since we all know how much junk is packed into processed meats. High levels of sodium and preservatives make these items far worse for your health than you might imagine.
If you love starting your day with fried sausages, bacon, or hot dogs, consider ditching them to protect your health.
4. Sweets
Deep down, we all know how bad sweets are for us, but they’re so addictive that it’s hard to stop eating them.
Filled with processed sugars, sweets can easily wreck havoc on your body. While you’re enjoying their taste, they’re raising your cholesterol levels and increasing your risk of heart diseases.
If you want to do your body a favor, replace all those cakes, cookies and pastries with healthier alternatives like fruits and nuts. It might be challenging at first, but once you eliminate refined sugars from your diet, you’ll feel better and enjoy healthier options, like a refreshing fruit salad.
5. Fried food
Greasy, fried food may be delicious, but it’s one of the worst things you can consume if you’re trying to manage your cholesterol levels. The oils used to make crispy chicken or fries are detrimental to your health.
If you’re trying to make a change in your diet, ditch all that fried food from your diet entirely. As a healthier alternative, try baking in the oven without using oils. You’ll achieve similar results with a fraction of the health risks.
6. Pre-bought salad dressings
When you’re looking for a lighter meal, salads are often the go-to choice. And what’s something that makes them taste ten times better? Of course, we’re talking about salad dressings.
Unfortunately, your favorite store-bought salad dressing might be undoing all the benefits of your salad. Packed with sugar and sodium, these “healthy” additions are everything but good for you.
If you’re truly craving a salad dressing, you can always make it at home. Combine Greek yogurt with garlic and juice of lemmon and you’ve got yourself a healthier version of your favorite yogurt dressing. This way, you’ll know exactly what ingredients you’re putting into your body.
Right now, it may feel impossible to ditch all these food items from your diet. But if you decide to do so, you can be sure you’ll be doing your body a favor in the long run.
Start by decreasing the amount of junk you consume and it’ll only get easier day after day.
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