Unhealthy foods are not limited to the United States. Many countries you visit will offer up their fair share of fried foods, sweets and other delicious indulgences. Here is a list of the worst offenders in the world.
Cheeseburgers
Cheeseburgers are a staple of the American diet, but you can often find this food in other countries, including Canada, Italy and France, to name a few. Much of the population will enjoy a juicy cheeseburger from time to time, but consumption of this iconic food — loaded with saturated fat, sodium and preservatives — should be limited. One of the worst offenders is located in the United States at a restaurant named, interestingly enough, the Heart Attack Grill. They boast a Quadruple Bypass Burger that is piled with 20 strips of fatty bacon and four half-pound beef patties. Unsurprisingly, this burger weighs in at an estimated 8,000 calories. This easily totals four people’s combined calorie intakes for the entire day!
Sugary Drinks
In most countries, there has been an increase in soda and sugary coffee consumption. Starbucks, for example, is now open in Canada, France and England. Whether it is a sugar-laden Frappuccino or fizzy soda pop, these drinks should be consumed in moderation. The main problem with sodas is that they have zero nutritional value and pack a large amount of calories and sugar into a single glass. If you are not a soda drinker, but love sipping on a sweet coffee, you may want to rethink your order, as these sugary beverages can be just as unhealthy. For example, a 20-ounce Java Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks contains 580 calories and 21 grams of fat. There is more research showing just how unhealthy these sugary drinks can be. The American Journal of Public Health studied 75 countries and discovered a strong correlation between soda consumption, weight and diabetes.
Processed Meats
From spam and bacon to hot dogs and lunch meats, most cultures like to chow down on various meat products. In recent years, meat consumption has shown an increase in certain countries, including China. The problem is that these processed meats contain a cancer-causing ingredient known as sodium nitrite. A study monitoring various countries’ intake of meat concluded that processed meat consumption was associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Fried Foods
Fried foods are not just a favorite of Americans. Many countries are on board with deep frying, which is not the best option for our hearts or waistlines. In India, samosas are enjoyed by many as a crispy and delicious treat. Samosas are made with white flour and a vegetable stuffing. When they are deep fried, their fat content increases significantly. In Chinese culture, fried wontons, which have a similar makeup to the samosa, are a popular appetizer. We cannot leave out the United States, which takes the fried trend over the top by frying up everything from Oreo cookies to macaroni and cheese. These items are all made of refined carbohydrates before being fried up. They do not have much nutrition, let alone staying power.
If you happen to come across one of these worst offenders, be sure to enjoy them in moderation.
Source: healthfitday.com
