Obesity Causing Foods You and Your Kids Must Avoid
Unfortunately, obesity has become a global epidemic with nearly 2.8 million people dying around the world due to being overweight or obese. India has the second largest number of obese children after China, with nearly 14.4 million suffering from weight issues. Junk food is one of the few reasons of such a rapidly growing obesity population. Excessive unhealthy food can cause dangerous issues like back problems and osteoporosis. So here are some obesity causing foods that you must avoid
Stay away from soft drinks
Soft drinks and soda addictions have proven to cause massive weight gain. Avoid giving soft drinks to your kids as much as possible. Soft drinks contain a lot of sugar or fructose that is dangerously rich in calories. According to research by epidemiologist Hannah Gardener, there is a 48% increase in heart attack instances in people who drink sodas every day, compared to those who don’t.
Fight the temptation to order french fries
Though whole potatoes can be filling and healthy, French fries and potato chips can do a lot of harm to your body. They are extremely high in calories so it’s best to avoid them as much as you can. As per a research, potato chips caused more weight gain in every serving than most other foods. It is best to have fries occasionally and stick to plain boiled potato to gain benefits.
Escape the delicious trap of sweets
Though they look and taste out of the world, especially for children, candy bars, cookies and cakes are extremely unhealthy. They contain lots of added sugar, added oils and refined flour. Just an average sized bar can contain nearly 200-300 calories while the bigger bars can contain even more. They are strategically placed in every store to ensure impulse purchases from children. Avoid candy bars as much as you can. Instead, try to opt for fruits or a handful of nuts when you’re craving a snack.
Choose healthier pizzas
Pizza has become a favourite amongst kids and adults of all ages. Unfortunately, commercially made pizzas are extremely unhealthy as they contain a lot of processed meat, highly refined flour, and sugar. If you feel like eating a pizza, consider making it at home with fresh and healthier ingredients.
Say no to processed foods
Choosing canned and processed foods seems to be convenient due to your busy lifestyle. The ready to eat meals seem like a lifesaver for working families, as they can be prepared with minimum effort. But highly processed packed foods are low in nutritional value and may contain life-threating preservatives. Children who are given processed foods are prone to obesity and diseases at a young age.
It’s important to think about your family’s food habits to ensure a healthy future. Swap your refined carbohydrates with whole grains that retain all nutrients. Choose whole dals over washed dals, avoid eating red meat and choose lean meat instead. Don’t forget to load up on seasonal vegetables as they contain soluble and insoluble fibers and vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Always make sure you keep foods with trans fats away from your family. Ideally, your sugar intake should be less than 10% of your total calories; 5% is even better.
Remember, children are picky eaters and thus your food preferences affect them much worse than they do you. To put things in perspective, 41 million preschool children were overweight in 2016. Don’t let your child be a part of this number.
