Ramesh Bjonnes

What are the three worst types of foods?  Sugar, animal- and trans fats, and salt.

Refined sugar increases glucose levels in the blood and may cause diabetes and heart disease. Americans consume on average 30 teaspoons of sugar per day. Sugar + refined carbs = increased triglycerides = heart disease.

What are trans fats? Trans fats are liquid oils heated up and bombarded with hydrogen. They are solid at room temperature and found in processed and fried foods. Trans fats increase bad cholesterol and LDL and lower HDL, or good cholesterol. Trans fats increase Omega 6, which increases inflammation and the chances of heart disease. Instead of trans fats, we need more Omega 3’s from nuts and seeds, which will reduce inflammation.

Salt increases blood pressure and heart disease. Because of this, it is best to consume at most 1500-2000 mg per day.

Animal fat increases the risk of heart disease. Fat from cheese, meats, and eggs are highly saturated and acidic and will often create inflammation. Of these fats, eggs are the highest in cholesterol. If you are eating meat, fish, and eggs, it is best not to eat these foods more than a few times per week; even less is better.

But fat from fried vegetable oils is even WORSE! The linoleic fatty acid in these oils creates a negative chain reaction. Linoleic fatty acid comprises 30 percent peanut oil, 52 percent soybean oil, and 60 percent corn oil and turns into oxidation products, including free radicals, degraded triglycerides, and others. In one study, a total of 130 volatile compounds were isolated from a piece of fried chicken alone.

People often eat meat, fish, and eggs to make sure they get enough protein. But there is no need to worry about that if you have lentils, beans, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and plenty of greens in your diet. Plant-based proteins are easy to digest and will not cause heart disease, obesity, or diabetes.

So, what are the best plant-based fats and the best source of Omega3? The best food sources for these good fats are nuts and seeds, especially ground flax seeds. The best oil to consume as food is uncooked, cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil. When you heat up and fry your food, even the best oils become more difficult to digest, hence it is best to stir fry foods only occasionally—once or twice a week only. But please avoid the above-mentioned vegetable oils. Finally, it is also best to shake the salt habit. It will help reduce your blood pressure and support you in leading a healthy, more vibrant and balanced life!

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