Want to live longer? Experts recommend avoiding these foods
A healthy diet can help you live a longer and better life. But there are some foods that we think are good for us that may be reducing our longevity.
There have been numerous studies over the years that have shown what kinds of foods we should and should not eat if we what to live a longer, healthier life.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know that you should be eating a balanced diet, full of nutrient-rich, whole foods. Also, that you should avoid ultra-processed foods loaded with salts and sugars.
It is important to pay attention to package labels and to read the ingredients of any processed food that you are purchasing. While some may seem like they are beneficial, the opposite may actually be true.
‘Healthy’ foods that may be sapping longevity
Giving your body the right sustenance can potentially extend your lifespan by a full decade according to research. However, the Huffington Post spoke to some dietary experts who shared that some foods and drinks that many think are healthier options, are in fact “longevity sabotagers.”
Processed meat alternatives
Diets like the Mediterranean, which “is characterized by a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, as well as moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy, and a low consumption of red meat and sweets,” when consistently followed has been shown to have very positive health outcomes.
However, consuming ultra-processed plant-based meat alternatives to get the best of both worlds can actually be counter-productive according to registered dietitian Maria Kupreeva.
While they “can be helpful for people who want to avoid meat for ethical or other reasons,” she says that many of them are “high in sodium and have a lot of filler ingredients.” These increase a person’s risk of suffering cardiovascular disease and other conditions that can be life-threatening.
Instant oatmeal
Consuming oats has a number of health benefits like helping with weight loss, reducing blood sugar levels, and reducing the risk of heart disease. However, the ready-to-go instant oatmeal that comes in different flavors is often loaded with added sugar which we know has negative health consequences. Even if they have artificial sweeteners, which the World Health Organization has warned.
Fruit juice
While fruit juice might give you some of the vitamins that you need, the sugary drink lacks the fiber that you get when eating the whole fruit. That fiber helps to manage the absorption of the sugars the fruit contains into the bloodstream.
Acai bowls
Acai bowls have become all the rage in recent years, but how healthy they are depends on what’s in them. Dr. Pooja Gidwani, an internal medicine doctor and longevity expert, explains that there is a big health difference between those made with fresh natural ingredients, berries and honey, versus those made with fruit juice, which are normally high in added sugar.
Protein powders and bars
Like several of the foods previously mentioned, protein powders and bars may contain added sugars and other ingredients that could jeopardize longevity. Unlike whole sources of protein, eggs, legumes and edamame, the only nutrient these products contain is protein which won’t necessarily add more years onto your life.
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