3 Everyday Foods Harming Your Health - Trash Them Now

1. White Bread

White bread is made from refined grains that have had the fiber-rich outer layer removed. This turns a once healthy whole grain into a product that spikes blood sugar and has minimal nutritional value. White bread is quickly broken down into sugar during digestion, causing crashes in energy later on. The lack of fiber also slows down the passage of food through the digestive tract, allowing more time for constipation issues to occur.

Impact on Health

Regularly consuming white bread can contribute to:

• Weight gain
• Type 2 diabetes risk
• Heart disease risk
• Colon cancer risk
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Skin inflammation
• Joint inflammation
• Gut inflammation

Better Alternatives

Choose whole grain options like:

• 100% whole wheat bread
• Sprouted grain bread
• Ezekiel bread

These provide important nutrients like fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium, and antioxidant compounds to support health.

2. Conventional Potato Chips

Potato chips are a tasty snack food, but one that is full of unhealthy fats and oils. Most conventional potato chips are cooked in genetically modified canola or sunflower oil which are high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. They also contain additives and preservatives that can cause digestive issues.

Impact on Health

Frequently eating potato chips can lead to:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart attack risk
• Diabetes risk
• Inflammation
• Nutrient deficiencies

Healthier Alternatives

Swap out regular potato chips with options like:

• Baked vegetable chips
• Kale chips
• Zucchini chips
• Beet chips

These provide nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, antioxidants and fiber without inflammatory oils.

3. Microwave Popcorn

While popcorn can be a healthy whole grain snack, the microwave varieties are extremely processed and lined with dangerous chemicals. Microwave popcorn contains a coating of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which has been linked to fertility issues, thyroid disease, cancer, and other health problems.

Impact on Health

The chemicals and additives in microwave popcorn have been shown to cause:

• Infertility
• Hormone disruption
• Kidney disease
• Liver damage
• ADHD in children
• Weight gain

Healthy Swaps

Those avoiding microwave popcorn due to health concerns can try:

• Air-popped popcorn
• Stovetop popcorn
• Popcorn popped in coconut oil

These options avoid PFOA chemicals and inflammatory oils - allowing you to enjoy popcorn without health risks.

Benefits of Removing These Foods

Eliminating white bread, potato chips, and microwave popcorn from your diet provides both short and long term wellness advantages. In the first 1 to 2 weeks, you may notice:

• More energy throughout the day
• Less brain fog
• Improved digestion and regularity
• Better sleep

Over time as inflammation reduces, you can experience:

• Weight loss
• Improved heart health markers
• Regulated blood sugar
• Reduced joint pain
• Healthier looking skin
• Lower diabetes risk
• Lower cancer risk

Replacing refined grains, oils, and chemicals with whole food alternatives provides long term gains in areas like healthy aging, disease prevention, and longevity.

Tips for Eliminating These Foods

Here are some helpful tips to remove white bread, potato chips, and microwave popcorn from your routine:

1. Clean Out Your Pantry

Go through your kitchen shelves and throw out current packages of these inflammatory foods so you aren't tempted by their convenience or taste.

2. Meal Prep Healthy Snacks

Have go-to alternatives on hand for when snack cravings strike. This can include veggies and hummus, roasted chickpeas, nuts, fresh fruit, yogurt and nut butter, boiled eggs, etc.

3. Gradually Transition Food Choices

Don't expect an overnight change in dietary habits. Slowly substitute out refined grains for sprouted options. Replace potato chips with veggie chips. Make stovetop popcorn instead of microwaved.

4. Engage Your Support Network

Talk to family and friends about your goal to improve health by upgrading food choices. They can encourage you along the way and even join in making better meal decisions.

The Bottom Line

White bread, potato chips, and microwave popcorn provide very little nutritional value and contain compounds that can negatively impact wellness. By swapping out these inflammatory foods for healthier whole food alternatives, you may lose weight, reduce disease risk, think more clearly, and feel better overall. Small steps to improve your diet can transform health in big ways over time.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.