Top Eleven Unhealthy Foods NOT to Have in Your Kitchen Pantry?
Are you are in charge of your family’s food consumption, meal preps, grocery shopping, and overall nutrition? This is a good time to go through your kitchen pantry, and discard any unhealthy items to improve your family’s overall health. Here are our top eleven unhealthy foods to get rid of while you are cleaning and decluttering, and attempting to shift to healthier eating.
This is also perfect timing to bring in a closet expert at revamping the layout of your pantry and put in some organizational shelving and new pantry system. Contact a local closet expert to give you a free quote.
It may be difficult to remove all ten at one time. Do your research about nutrition and what the medical community is saying at these ingredients and foods. That will give you the motivation to remove these harmful toxics on your own. Be an informed shopper. Make sure you read the labels. These items are tucked away on the ingredients list. If it is listed in the top three positions, that means there is a higher percentage of that item in the food or drink.
1. Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils
Hydrogenated oil is not healthy for you since it contains a high level of hydrogenated fats, called trans fats. Trans fats increase your risk of developing heart disease and other health problems. Consider switching to coconut oils, cacao butter, extra virgin olive oil, and even grass-fed organic butter.
Hydrogenated oils and the trans fats are usually in these items:
- Processed foods
- Frozen foods
- Fried foods
- Fast foods
- Cake and brownie mixes
- Coffee creamer
- Shortening
- Salad dressing
- Bakery items (brownies, pies, cakes, muffins, cookies)
- Cereal
- Peanut butter
2. White Flour
White flour has zero nutritional value. It is just a starch which is bleached. Go for the whole grain instead such as whole wheat, rye and oat. Try the sprouted grain products, and gluten-free products – be sure your gluten-free products are not also fully processed and filled with refined grains.
3. Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are comprised mostly of chemicals that have been composed in a lab and are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. It provides calories with zero nutrition. The sugar in the soda causes a spike in your blood sugar levels which forces your liver and pancreas to work very hard to move those sugars from your bloodstream into your cells. No sugar-free soft drinks are no better. Consider tea, fresh juices, and water to hydrate your body. Or, try kombucha, a naturally fermented tea drink if you want something fizzy.
4. Sports Drinks
A lot of people think they are refueling and hydrating correctly after a workout with a sports energy drink. Check the label, sports are flavored water with sugar, coloring, and electrolytes added.
5. Aspartame
Aspartame is a neurotoxin which means it literally can poison your brain when you consume it. Do the research on this one. Check any product listed as ‘sugar-free.’ It can accumulate in your body and cause damage over time. Consider Stevia products. Use natural sweeteners like fruit, maple syrup, dates, and coconut sugar.
6. ‘Low fat’ Processed Foods
Typically ‘low fat’ or ‘fat-free’ on processed or packaged foods contain chemicals, additives, and preservatives. These foods can actually make you gain weight and force your body to work harder to process the chemicals. Eat whole foods like whole fruits and veggies. Eat natural fats like seeds, avocado, nuts, seeds, and coconut. Your body will recognize these fats and use them to burn fat.
7. Old Boxed Cake Mix
Toss out any boxed cake mix that has been on the shelf since the beginning of 2018. Companies are no longer allowed to add unhealthy trans fats to packaged foods. Check the label.
8. Taco Seasoning
The packages of taco seasoning contain a ton of sodium and some chemicals. Mix up your own with fresh spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic, red pepper flakes, and paprika.
9. Sugary Cereal or Granola
Most cereals have a ton of sugar in them. Read the label, even the organic ones.
10. Pancake Syrup
Pancake syrup has high fructose corn syrup with coloring added at the top of the ingredient list. Instead, look for 100% maple syrup with just ONE natural ingredient of real maple syrup.
11. Genetically Modified Corn (GMO)
Corn is actually a grain and not a vegetable as a lot of us think. We as humans do not have the proper digestive enzymes needed to break corn down fully. When eaten, it passes through your digestive system unchanged. GMO corn contains pesticides. GMO is in most of the processed foods on the market. Read your labels. Instead of GMO, look for non-GMO and unprocessed bread/grain products. Eat real vegetables as a side item in a restaurant.
At Southern Closet Systems, we have many solutions and can consult with you about what works best in your space.
Want to work with the best closet company in Tampa Bay that stands out, has deep roots in the community, over 30 years of experience, excellent customer service, and reviews, and produces a high-end quality product? Then, you’ve come to the right place — Southern Closet Systems. Here is why they are the leading closet company in Tampa Bay.
Contact Us
In business since 1983, Southern Closet Systems was the first custom closet company ever to serve the Tampa area. From our factory and showroom in Odessa, Florida, we’ve assisted thousands of clients from Crystal River to Tierra Verde with our custom closet designs, storage cabinets, shelving, and other accessories.
Give us a call today to make an appointment at 727-447-7227 (in Pinellas), 813-926-9348 (in Pasco) and 813-855-2255 (in Hillsborough) or send us an email.
