We all know that fast food isn’t exactly great for our health. However, not all fast foods are created equally, meaning some meals are significantly worse for you than others. If you’re wondering which foods are best to cut out to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we’re here to help. This list reveals 19 fast foods you should avoid if you want to stay healthy.
Stuffed Crust Pizza
Stuffed crust pizza is undoubtedly delicious and even more indulgent than regular pizza. But unfortunately, this all comes at a cost. Stuffed crust pizza is very high in calories, carbs, fat, sodium, and saturated fat. The crust also often contains more cheese, significantly increasing the calorie and fat content.
Fried Chicken Pieces
According to Healthline, studies have shown that there is a significant link between fried food consumption and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. This is largely because these foods are often high in trans fats, sodium, and calories.
Large Specialty Burgers
Burgers are an iconic fast-food option, especially in America. However, certain large specialty burgers can be incredibly high in fat, including trans fats that are known to negatively impact your health. They’re also usually full of calories, sodium, and unhealthy extras such as bacon and extra cheese.
Large Soft Drinks
The National Institutes of Health found that soft drink consumption was associated with a higher energy intake and body weight, as well as a lower intake of other important nutrients. Fast food chains also often provide very large servings, increasing your risk of these issues even further.
Cream-Filled Pastries
Pastries, especially those containing generous helpings of cream, are very high in both sugar and fat, increasing your risk of developing health issues such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. They’re also a form of “empty calories,” meaning they have a high-calorie content with almost no nutritional benefits.
Milkshakes with Additives
Milkshakes from fast food chains are often loaded with sugar, sometimes even exceeding the daily recommended intake in just one serving. They’re also very high in calories, artificial flavorings, and preservatives, leading to a greater risk of various health issues such as obesity and diabetes 2.
Cheesy Fries
There’s no question that cheesy fries are delicious and indulgent. But unfortunately, they’re also high in unhealthy, saturated fats and sodium. In America, they’re also often served in very large portions that can be extremely high in calories with little nutritional value.
Sweetened Iced Teas
While most people think of tea as being a healthy beverage, it’s a different story when it comes to certain kinds. Sweetened iced teas are often surprisingly high in sugar, increasing your risk of dental issues and other health problems such as diabetes 2.
Breaded Fish Sandwiches
Fish can be a healthy form of protein in itself. But when it’s been fried and topped with unhealthy sauces, flavorings, or other toppings, its nutritional value starts to become obsolete. The bread used in fish sandwiches is also usually white bread, which is lower in fiber and other nutrients.
Breakfast Sandwiches with Sausage and Cheese
Many people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so heading out for a fast-food sandwich loaded with cheese and sausages first thing in the morning may not be the best idea. These sandwiches are typically full of saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and calories, contributing to a higher risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Meat Lover’s Burritos
Meat lover’s burritos are often high in calories and made with a whole lot of fat, sodium, and processed meats. As noted by Cancer Council NSW, there is a strong link between processed meat consumption and an increased risk of cancer, especially stomach and bowel cancer.
Loaded Potato Skins
While loaded potato skins are typically served as a side, they often have enough calories to be a main meal, increasing your likelihood of overeating and gaining weight. They’re also often very high in saturated fat and sodium, especially when topped with bacon and cheese.
Caramel Popcorn
Popcorn is often praised for being a fairly low-calorie snack. However, when it’s loaded with caramel and other additives, this isn’t the case. Caramel popcorn is also higher in sugar and fat, spiking your blood sugar levels, increasing your risk of weight gain, and heightening your risk of other health problems.
Onion Rings
Onion rings are made with a healthy vegetable, so you might think that they shouldn’t be too bad for you. But because they’re fried and usually breaded, they’re actually very high in sodium, fat, calories, carbs, and unhealthy trans fats. Because they are served as a side, they can also increase your risk of overeating.
Sugar-Sweetened Soda
We’ve all heard that soda is bad for us, but sodas sweetened with added sugar pose additional health risks. These drinks offer no essential nutrients and are often high in calories and sugar, increasing your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Mozzarella Sticks
The cheese lovers out there often have a soft spot for the creamy, crispy goodness of mozzarella sticks. Unfortunately, these delicious treats are very high in saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium, and calories, contributing to cardiovascular issues, diabetes 2, and obesity. According to the BHF, eating too much cheese can also increase your risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls make delicious dessert options, but they’re also packed with fat, sugar, and calories. The frosting also adds another unhealthy dose of sugar, which can create dangerous spikes in your blood sugar levels. Eating this treat too frequently can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.
BBQ Ribs
BBQ ribs are an iconic fast-food option with a deliciously smoky flavor. Unfortunately, they’re also high in saturated fat, which can increase your bad cholesterol levels. What’s more, BBQ ribs tend to be high in sugar and calories, which is only made worse by the fact that they tend to be served in large portions.
Super-Sized Ice Cream Sundaes
While ice cream can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet, super-sized sundaes are much worse for you than other kinds. They’re extremely high in sugar, which may put you at risk of diabetes. Because they’re so large, super-sized sundaes are also high in calories, often leading to overeating and weight gain.
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