The 9 Worst Refrigerated Foods You Should Avoid | Diet Sage
The 9 Worst Refrigerated Foods You Should Avoid
November 21, 2014 by admin in Health News with 12 Comments
Most processed foods these days are unhealthy in one way or another. It is always best to eat food in its most natural state; fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, etcetera. Obviously, much of the world has adopted a different approach to food: processing and pre-packaging. While many items that you can buy at the store are okay in moderation, it is important for everyone who goes grocery shopping to be as educated as possible about what kinds of food are safe. Having a blacklist is a great idea, because some foods have no health benefit at all and are potentially harmful.
Let’s be honest, refrigerators are a fantastic invention, and most of us would be lost without them. However, some refrigerated foods are like automatic rifles pointed straight at your heart, or your stomach, or your thyroid. Eating highly processed foods on a daily basis means that related health problems are practically inevitable. Here are nine fridge foods that you should consider avoiding at all costs, and why they are considered so unhealthy.
1. Opened Canned Food
One major reason that canned food is controversial is because of BPA, a chemical that is found inside the lining of most canned foods. The lining comes into direct contact with the food inside the can, and this is problematic because BPA has been linked to serious side effects like heart disease and hormonal disorders. Canned foods also contain more sodium and preservatives than fresh and frozen foods do.
It is possible that once canned food is opened, harmful chemicals like BPA are more likely to be present in the food itself. Canned foods are also more thoroughly processed, and may lose nutritional value quickly once opened. If you must store food that came from a can, definitely transfer it to a different container first. In general, fresh and frozen foods are much better for our health, and will not contain such high levels of BPA.
For processed meat, there are three main factors that are dangerous to your health: hormones, antibiotics, and preservatives. These meats are heavily processed and contain so many nonmeat ingredients that they are not worth eating. The hormones are intended to make the animal fatten up so that it yields more profit to the manufacturers, but hormones in meat have been linked to early puberty and other endocrine issues in people. Antibiotics are often pumped into livestock to prevent diseases, but when humans consume too many antibiotics, there can be catastrophic results on the body.
Gut health and immune system efficiency are the two most prominent side effects of antibiotic consumption. As for preservatives, they exist in most processed foods, but some kinds of preservatives have harmful effects on health. Salt is one of the most common, but the majority of people should actually be cutting down their overall salt intake. MSG is becoming more and more popular, but is linked to diseases like obesity and diabetes. There are ways that you can buy meat that help eliminate these risks, such as organic, hormone free, and antibiotic free.
Ah, margarine- butter’s evil twin. In essence, margarine is a synthetic, oil-based, inexpensive butter substitute. It sounds gross already, but wait, there’s more! Margarine is produced in the following way: first, vegetable oil is extracted using harsh chemicals like hexane. The oil is then held under high heat, destroying any potential nutrients.
The next step can be thought of as hardening the oils; what really happens is that a chemical process is used to turn most of the fat molecules into saturated and trans fats, which are the most harmful and unhealthy types.
Then, it is processed further, “purified,” and dyed yellow. Margarine exists to be a cheap alternative to butter, and nowhere in its development was human health taken into consideration. Vegetable oil by itself is not considered good for us, and has been linked to issues like heart disease. Margarine is an extensively processed product of vegetable oil, thus it has even worse effects on the body.
4. Old Leftovers
It seems that the general consensus about leftovers is that if you refrigerate the food within two hours, it is safe to eat for a few days afterwards. The main concern with leftovers is that bacteria can grow in and on the food, which can mess with your GI tract and make you sick. Technically, bacteria can begin to grow immediately on food, but the two-hour mark is when the bacteria really start to grow.
Most people agree that 3-4 days is the maximum amount of time that it’s safe to consume leftovers, assuming that they were put into the fridge promptly after being made, that the fridge is at a cold enough temperature, and that the food has not been removed from the fridge or reheated since it was made. Many people will only eat leftovers the next day, which is a good, cautious approach to take whenever possible.
An example list of ingredients for ketchup is: tomato concentrate, high fructose corn syrup, vinegar, corn syrup, salt, onion powder, spice, and natural flavors. Right off the bat, nothing on this list is particularly good for you, and three are potentially bad for you. The second ingredient is high fructose corn syrup, which is basically glucose and fructose- sugars. Frequent fructose consumption has been linked to serious side effects like high blood pressure, insulin issues, and heart disease.
Corn syrup, the fourth ingredient, is pure glucose. Excess sugars in the body often turn into fat and cholesterol molecules, both of which are things that most people don’t need extra of. The third ingredient on the negative side is salt; this isn’t because salt is inherently bad, but because of how much you consume with ketchup. 1 tablespoon of ketchup, according to the same nutritional label referenced above, contains 160mg of sodium. The bottom line with ketchup is that most people consume far more than 1 tablespoon, and the salt level adds up fast.
Some salad dressings are far worse than others. Vinaigrettes tend to be the best, while creamy dressings tend to be the worst. However, it all depends on the specific dressing, because many types of vinaigrette contain tons of sugar and salt. High fructose corn syrup is often put into these dressings to help boost their flavor, but this ingredient can have detrimental health effects. Ranch is arguably the most popular dressing type, and unfortunately, it is one of the unhealthiest.
Ranch contains MSG, a flavor booster and preservative that is thought to contribute to obesity and diabetes. Ranch also contains hydrogenated oils, which cause awful damage to blood vessels, lead to high cholesterol, and more. Needless to say, this particular salad dressing is high in fat and salt, as well. If you need salad dressing in your life, then being picky is a good thing; or, better yet, make your own dressings!
American cheese is one of the most popular processed cheeses. The term “processed cheese” defines products that are made from real cheese, but have other ingredients added to them, such as whey, emulsifiers, milk, artificial coloring, salt, et cetera. Emulsifiers are artificial additives that are used in the manufacturing process.
A common example is sodium phosphate, which has been linked to kidney problems. Artificial colors are more common in artificial cheeses; yellow 6 is used in American cheese, and has been linked to kidney and hormone related problems. Cheeses in this category often contain fillers like dairy substitutes, which reduce the quality of the product.
One tablespoon of mayonnaise has around 10 grams of fat, 1.5 of which is saturated fat, 90 calories, and 100mg of sodium. This condiment is basically vegetable oil, egg yolk, and vinegar, in that order, plus flavorings and preservatives. Like ketchup, mayo is usually consumed in higher quantities than 1 tablespoon, and so the fat and salt content add up.
Store bought mayo is usually very high in fat and sodium, and the additives like preservatives don’t help its case. Some types of mayonnaise are made with soybean oil, which means that the product contains estrogen. Frequent consumption of soy can lead to hormone problems in the body due to its estrogen content. Because mayo packs so many calories and so much fat into such a tiny serving size, people who eat it regularly may have a hard time reducing body fat or lowering blood pressure.
Store bought fruit juice usually isn’t actually fruit juice. It is most commonly juice concentrate combined with sugar, sugar, preservatives, and more sugar. Quite a few scientific researchers have determined that commercial fruit juice is probably almost as bad as soda. While fruit juice may have some substance to it from the fruit that the concentrate was made of, it contains so much sugar that it may as well be looked down upon as much as soda. Regular consumption of drinks that are high in sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, among others. This conclusion also applies to most pre-made fruit smoothies. The healthy factor in fruit juices simply does not make up for the extreme sugar levels.
Obviously, processed foods tend to be bad for us. If you consider this list, there are some general rules that can be drawn from it.
It’s best to avoid items with high fructose corn syrup, items with MSG, items with sugar listed multiple times in the ingredients list in different forms, items that pack salt and calories into a tiny serving size, items with artificial colorings, and items high in saturated or trans fats.
You don’t have to become a foods expert to shop smart at the grocery store, but you do have to understand some general ideas about human health. Too much of anything is a disaster waiting to happen; when it comes to store bought food, this is especially true for salt and sugar. Some seemingly healthy foods are heart attacks waiting to happen, such as fruit juice.
Figuring out that fruit juice may actually be bad because of its sugar level requires that you read the nutrition label. Nutritional labels and ingredients lists can be your best friends!
If you are eating these foods frequently, your digestive system might be weakened. Go to the next page and watch the 3 digestive tips for a strong gut and digestive system.
What other foods in your fridge do you think it’s bad for your health? Share with us in the comments below.
Tagged canned foods, fridge, mayonnaise, refrigerator
FACMNov 30, 2014 at 4:13 pmReply
It is wrong to assume that salad dressings like Ranch all have MSG and hydrogenated oils; it depends on the brand, some are made with good quality ingredients. Also some fat, of good type, in a dressing helps the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins that are in salad vegetables. Neither is fruit juice the same as a fruit drink; if it is not 100% fruit juice it usually labeled as a “fruit drink” or should be. Just because juice may be high in natural sugar doesn’t mean it is the same as a fruit drink. Most juices in the US do not contain preservatives, though many foreign brands do. Fruit drinks are an imitation of fruit juice just like margarine and its counterpart butter.
As mentioned, it is best to read the list of ingredients and the nutrition label, if you want to know how nutritious the food is.
Anita BurkeDec 3, 2014 at 2:38 amReply
I’m surprised you didn’t mention sodium nitrite in the processed meats, which causes cancer. One of my chemistry professors showed us how aspartame mixed with sodium nitrite is a good recipe for cancer-causing nitrosamines – perfect food combo for this killer? Pepperoni pizza and a Diet Coke!
maggieMar 16, 2015 at 7:53 pmReply
All good points of advice, ones which I already know but need to be reminded of!
Camille EmasApr 19, 2015 at 2:36 amReply
After WWII food changed and after eating every kind since then, my 87 year old gut has about had it, gastroenterologists know nothing about nutrition so most of us wander around reading health ads etc depending on health food stores with their supplements but getting in worse all the time. Your columns are the most correct but at this age still cooking for two and one with no problems and who expects to eat his favorites at every meal becomes difficult because of those easy old temptations and of course a food bill plus a supplement bill that is hard to meet. Guess which wins! I want change too late so to all you younger cooks, CHANGE NOW,! My kids don’t take this seriously but watch me deteriorate and think it’s just old age even though it doesn’t show yet. The insides are giving way..what a way to go!
Joseph PalaileMay 2, 2015 at 7:59 pmReply
Greater understanding of food and labeling.
Yovanka DeslooverJun 4, 2015 at 3:35 amReply
What is your take on my less than year old GE refrigirator
registering temp. at 48 degrees. First thing in the morning.
Repair man was here 3 times. GE customer Service trying to tell me that I shouldn’t worry because that is not the internal temp of the food. My Almond milk has spoiled 2x …6 weeks prior expiration date.
My old frig is showing 37 with the same thermometer.
Appreciate all your emails.
MCJamJul 30, 2015 at 6:27 amReply
I would give your refrigerator a thorough defrosting. I took me several mis-haps to reallize that this is the most common and easiest reason for malfunction and very easy to fix. I replaced one fridge not knowing, and almost replaced another except that I thought I would try a repair man first. While waiting for the repair appointment, I emptied the fridge and unplugged it and then on a whim, plugged it back in several days later before the repairman came. And voila! it worked flawlessly again. Now, whenever a fridge or freezer seems to not be up to snuff, it gets a several dayl defrosting. Just a few hours is not enough for all the encrusted ice to melt and drain.
Gillian KatzSep 3, 2015 at 6:19 amReply
Cathy PagendarmSep 5, 2015 at 9:25 pmReply
Refrigerator’s also need to be cleaned under them where all the dust collects. Some times this helps too.
Patricia Kelly-BanksDec 29, 2015 at 7:05 pmReply
I’d add most diary-milks-etc., on to this list! We found a really nice Califa Almond Milk that is comparable to Diamond products, just avoid soys to prevent any complications. Dairy is alot different too these days so stick to natural meats, etc, do your own seasoning!
HelgaFeb 16, 2016 at 12:38 amReply
I’ve been eating organic foods for 4 decades. Even grew my own at one time. Now that I’m retired will start up another small garden. However, since I live in FL I keep canned foods on hand for emergencies. Most of the foods can be consumed right out of the can, are high in protein and fat. I try to buy as much organic even in canned foods. But when your power is out for days at a time and you’re hungry, you’re not going to worry about nitrates or other stuff. When the canned goods are nearing expiration I donate them to a food bank, and restock.
Mary CanbyFeb 22, 2016 at 11:33 amReply
Thanks for asking for comments, & providing this space:
I’ve read several places that milk from cows which have been injected w/hormones, yield more milk, but the milk can cause problems in some people… especially children?
Why doesn’t our FDA do all they can to protect us, rather than let various dangerous components/ items be sold to us? Ads on sides of milk containers sometimes say ” ‘Farmers’ promises that their cows have not been injected, to produce milk w rBst in it”, but on another side of the same the same container, say to the effect “Some group says ‘there is no difference between milk from cows which have been injected with the hormones, and those which have not been injected with those hormones”… but now there seem to be quite a few sources which declare/ give proof that there is a huge difference: that of rBst in some.
You’ll be able to get an abundance of writing on this topic, I’m sure. All for our protection/ better national health, MJC
Coming from a Midwest dairy farm, we want good clean, pure milk for our public at large, if you please!! Thanks!! ,
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