The Deadliest Foods Americans Are Still Putting Into Their Bodies

Every day, Americans ingest harmful chemicals and toxins that are hazardous as well as unhealthy. People know that too much sugar and salt isn't good for maintaining a healthy blood pressure or a healthy weight, but people aren't always aware of the harmful ingredients in things like processed meats, cheeses, and baked goods.

There are even potentially dangerous ingredients lurking in foods that many people consider to be healthy like diet soda and even some fruits and veggies!

Deli Meats Contain Nitrates Which Have Been Linked To Cancer

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Photo credit: John Patriquin/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

Deli meat originated as a way to keep fresh meats from spoiling. By curing a cut of meat in salt, you can dramatically increase its shelf life. Unfortunately, curing meat in delicious salts and brines injects a lot of unhealthy sodium into the meat.

Additionally, studies show that processed meats lead to an increased risk of cancer. If you still want to eat deli meat on occasion, just make sure you eat it cold. Heating deli meat can lead to the production of a cancer-causing compound called N-nitroso.

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Rhubarb Causes Kidney Stones

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A common plant that many people grow in their gardens, this reddish leaf can possibly kill you. Frequently used in pies and other foods, rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid which causes kidney stones.

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While it would take quite a lot of rhubarb (11 pounds, to be exact) to kill you, it doesn’t take nearly that much to make you sick. Interestingly, rhubarb is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its laxative qualities.

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Beware Of Bitter Almonds

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Some kinds of Almonds can actually contain cyanide, which is a chemical that is toxic enough to make an adult human very sick and even kill a small child. The almonds you eat on a regular basis are most likely sweet almonds, but there is another type of almond called the bitter almond.

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Bitter almonds can induce vertigo when ingested. Most of the almonds you can buy in the U.S. are sweet almonds. Bitter almonds are almost exclusively used to make almond oil.

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Diet Soda Isn't Healthier Than Regular Soda

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Even "diet" or sugar-free sodas can be harmful to your health thanks to preservatives, chemicals, and artificial food coloring. There are so many hazardous ingredients in soda that drinking the stuff can lead to weight gain, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease.

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If you want to maintain a healthy diet, skip the soda and drink a glass of water or tea instead. If you're missing the fizz, La Croix or any other sparkling water is a good choice.

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Tuna Can Contain Mercury

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Too much tuna probably will not kill you, but it can lead to mercury poisoning. Tuna fish absorb mercury which can then pass through your kidneys or even travel to your brain. Remember when Jeremy Piven dropped out of the Broadway show "Speed-The-Plow?" The sushi-loving actor cited illness from a "high mercury count" as the reason.

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The Food And Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women and children to not consume tuna. Anyone else should only consume this fish in moderation.

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Hot Dogs Are Carcinogenic

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Hot dogs aren't considered health food by pretty much anybody, but if you knew what was in an average hot dog, you would probably never go near one again. These artery-clogging meat tubes are full of fat, grease, and sodium.

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Some studies have even linked hot dogs to cancer. The study determined that if you eat one hot dog every day, your risk of developing colorectal cancer increases by 20 percent. We hope they didn't find that out by forcing people to eat a hot dog every day.

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Pork Takes A Long Time To Break Down

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It's common knowledge that fried and cured pork products such as bacon and sausages aren't health foods, but most people don't know that other pork products can also cause health issues. Even pork chops, which are sometimes seen as healthy white meat, can take a long time to break down in your body. As a result, your body ends up storing a lot of the protein in the meat as fat.

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Additionally, many cardiologists say that eating pork products significantly increases your risk of developing heart disease.

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Nutmeg Might Make You Hallucinate

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Nutmeg is a common spice found in most kitchens. It’s used in all sorts of sweets from pies to cookies and even as an additive to hot chocolate. But what most people don’t know is that nutmeg is a hallucinogenic which could lead to convulsions and seizures. In fact, these hallucinations can even cause death in extreme cases.

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Activist Malcolm X wrote about purchasing and consuming nutmeg in his 1965 autobiography, saying, “A penny matchbox full of nutmeg had the kick of three or four reefers.” A little bit powdered on a sweet is okay, but do not try eating too much of this spice.

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Juice Is Chock Full Of Sugar

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Fruit juice might seem like a healthy beverage option. It has fruit in it, right? In reality, most fruit juices are loaded with sugar. While you can find all of those natural sugars in fruit, one cup of juice contains the sugar found in several servings of whole fruits. In addition, whole fruits contain fiber that helps with digestion, but there isn't much fiber in concentrated fruit juice.

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Most juices contain just as much sugar as an equal serving size of soda.

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Too Much Stuff In Double Stuffed Oreos

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Arguably one of the most delicious confections ever invented, this treat is terrible for you. Just one serving (two cookies) contains 3.5 teaspoons of sugar, which is half-a-teaspoon more than the recommended daily sugar intake for children.

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Each cookie is packed with 70 calories, making this tasty snack a dangerous one. Our advice is to save the Oreos for well-deserved treats instead of a lunchtime standard.

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Red Meats Can Increase Your Risk Of Developing Cancer

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The unhealthy meat list does not end at pork. No, not even close. Other red meats including beef, goat, lamb, venison, and veal also pose significant health risks. Too much red meat intake can not only lead to weight gain and eventual obesity but is also associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

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Red meat contains a lot of cholesterol and saturated fat, which is known to raise the blood cholesterol and contribute to heart disease. Steer clear of red meat whenever possible.

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Too Many Calories In Energy Bars

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These are popular snacks for people on the go, but are usually as bad, if not worse, for you than candy bars. Energy bars are full of sugar and packed with calories. They might be a quick and easy snack, but the possibility of weight gain makes them pretty bad for you.

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In fact, The Food and Drug Administration asked several brands of energy bars to remove the word "healthy" from packaging because the bars are not very healthy after all.

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Hot Dogs Are A Choking Hazard

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Hot dogs are particularly dangerous for children. Because of their size, shape, and texture, hot dogs pose a threat to young children eating this popular food. They easily become lodged in the windpipe, which can lead to choking and possible death. Also, kids don't always chew their food thoroughly before swallowing.

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One study showed that hot dogs were responsible for 17 percent of food-related asphyxiations in children under the age of 10. That's an unacceptable number.

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Read The Label On Your Yogurt

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Despite it being a rich source of nutrients, not all of yogurt’s ingredients are healthy. Most are filled with high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. Even the good ingredients can be harmful: too much calcium can lead to kidney stones, prostate cancer, and other ailments.

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Excessive consumption of vitamin A, also packed into many yogurts, can lead to weak bones, nausea, headaches, and even coma! You'd have to eat a whole lot of yogurt for that to happen/

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Packaged Cookies Are Full Of Preservatives

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Most packaged snack foods are full of sugar, salt, and other additives that aren't good for you. The next time you're walking down the snack aisle at the grocery store, just stroll on past the Oreos and the Fudgeos and the Chips Ahoy. Yes, even Girl Scout cookies are problematic.

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Prepackaged, mass-produced cookies are loaded with vegetable oils which contain saturated fats and trans fats. These fats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

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Ice Cream Will Break Your Heart

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Nothing helps you get over a broken heart like a pint of ice cream. Unfortunately, eating too much of it can lead to a broken heart. Or at least heart disease. Because of its high fat content, excessive intake of ice cream can lead to high blood cholesterol levels.

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This increases the probability of having a stroke and developing heart disease. Is the risk of heart disease worth the temptation of a double scoop of pistachio or cookie dough ice cream? That's something only you can decide.

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Raw Honey Is Dangerous For Infants

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While some people view raw honey as a natural health food, it can make you sick. If you consume honey in its raw form, you should be aware that unpasteurized honey often contains grayanotoxin which can lead to dizziness, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Eating pasteurized honey, according to some studies, is considered a much safer option.

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Also, honey can be dangerous to babies. It's been known to cause a condition called infant botulism. It's rare but dangerous when it does occur.

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Cereals Have A List Of Side Effects

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Many types of breakfast cereal are fortified with zinc, niacin, and vitamin A. That might sound like a good thing, but some of them have these ingredients in such large quantities that they amount to more than 30 percent of the recommended daily intake for adults.

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High consumption of nutrients can lead to a wide range of health problems such as liver damage, anemia, hair loss, skeletal abnormalities, nausea, and skin reactions. Scary stuff.

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Stay Away From Salty Snacks

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If you think that skipping sugary treats in favor of a savory snack will be healthier, you're wrong. Many savory snacks such as trail mix, crackers, and chips, have a high salt content. In addition, some snacks (like trail mix) also contain a ton of sugar.

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We've already read about how bad sugar is for you, but what about salt? Salt causes water retention which can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes.

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Potato Chips Are Horrible For Your Health

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Potato chips are even worse than other salty snacks. In addition to their high salt content, potato chips arA full of calories. They are also typically fried in saturated fats which fill you up with trans fats and can lead to increased cholesterol levels contributing to weight gain and heart disease.

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As TIME reported, "salt...seems to be driving the excessive consumption of fat, calories and food in general—something to remember the next time you pop open a bag of chips."

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Careful With Coffee

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Many people depend on this pick-me-up every morning, with some even consuming multiple cups throughout the day. What coffee addicts don’t often realize, however, is that drinking too much of it can lead to osteoporosis, high cholesterol, and heart disease. It can also lead to insomnia (so aggravating!) and hypertension.

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There are lots of other negative side effects and risks that come along with coffee consumption. Read on to learn more...

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Cashews Can Be Dangerous If You're Allergic To Poison Ivy

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As long as cashews have been steamed to remove the dangerous chemical urushiol, cashews are safe to consume. However, raw cashews can be dangerous in large quantities thanks to the presence of urushiol, a chemical found in poison ivy. If you are allergic to poison ivy, consuming raw cashews could be fatal.

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Without an allergy to poison ivy, urushiol can cause liver damage, vomiting, stomach pain, convulsions, and even coma. Stay away from raw cashews!

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Careful With Tomato Stems

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Tomatoes are a commonly consumed food, so many people might be surprised to learn that the fruit's stems and leaves contain alkali poisons. These toxins can cause an upset stomach. Consuming green tomatoes can also have this effect. In large enough doses, consuming tomato leaves or unripe tomatoes can be lethal.

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There's no reason to give up eating tomatoes, though. Just stick to eating the fruit (not the leaves or stems), and make sure it is ripe before you do so!

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Pastries Are Dangerous In More Ways Than One

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It's okay to splurge and have a rich, flaky dessert every once in a while, but it's best not to make it a habit.

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Homemade baked goods are way better than store-bought cakes and cookies because at least you know what's going in them, but it's best not to fill up on refined sugars, refined flour, and unhealthy fats even if you mixed all those things together in a bowl yourself and bake them into a treat in your very own oven.

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Unsweetened Yogurt Is Best

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This will come as a blow to many people who view yogurt as a tasty diet food. Many believe that yogurt is healthy because it is a rich source of calcium and vitamin A and is loaded with protein and probiotics. It’s also a low-fat food causing many people to think that yogurt is good for them.

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Next for the bad news for all you yogurt-lovers. Next we'll find out why the tasty stuff might not be so good for you.

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Pancakes Aren't Part Of A Balanced Breakfast

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Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, but if you want to get your morning off to a healthy start you should skip the pancakes. Packed with saturated fats, sugars, and salt, pancakes can lead to a lot of health issues including diabetes and high blood pressure.

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When you douse your pancakes in syrup, you’re adding even more sugar to an already too-sweet food. Maybe let's save pancakes for special Sunday brunches.

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French Fries Aren't Any Better

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Much like chips, French fries tend to be fried in oils which are packed with saturated fats. While homemade french fries can be a bit healthier than the ones served in fast food chain restaurants, the high salt content and saturated fats make French fries a very unhealthy snack option.

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Next time you're craving fries, reach for the sweet potato variety instead. And bake, rather than fry, them. Hold off on the extra salt too and you've got yourself a much healthier substitute to the traditional French fry.

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Stay Away From Artificial Sweeteners

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Artificial sweeteners are marketed as healthy, low-calorie alternatives to regular sugar, but in reality, ingredients such as aspartame and saccharine are far worse for your body than plain old white sugar. These artificial sweeteners have been linked to diseases such as cancer and diabetes when ingested in large quantities.

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It's better to eat a small amount of real sugar than to eat a large amount of aspartame. Splenda might seem splendid, but there really is no such thing as sweetness with zero consequences.

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Steer Clear Of Fried Foods

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Here's a good life motto to follow: avoid eating any fried foods. While the food may be initially healthy, or at least not too bad for you, the oils used to fry food add to their fat add calorie content.

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Breaded foods like fried chicken soak up more oil, drenching a once protein-rich food with trans fat and saturated fat. Eating fried foods contributes to obesity, heart disease, weakened immunity, and has even been linked to Alzheimer's disease in some studies.

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Too Much Cheese Isn't Good For You

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Have we ruined all your favorite foods yet? Americans seem to love cheese... we put it on everything! It's good on its own and as a topper on other delicious foods.

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And sure, cheese is a great source of protein and other nutrients like vitamin A, riboflavin, zinc, and contains conjugated linoleic acid which is thought to help protect the body against cancer and heart disease. But that doesn’t mean cheese can’t kill you. Why? Read on to find out.

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Cereal Boxes Aren't Always Honest

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Cereal is a popular breakfast food all across America. Often, cereal is marketed as a fast and easy breakfast for working moms and dads who have kids who are always on the go. Cereal may be a fast and easy breakfast, but it's also often full of added sugars.

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Even supposedly "healthy" cereals contain sugar to make things like "high fiber" and "whole grains" taste good. Make sure you read the ingredients and the nutrition facts on cereal boxes very carefully.

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Cheese Has A High Fat Content

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Cheese is absolutely packed with calories, averaging 100 calories per ounce. It’s okay in moderation, but many Americans eat too much cheese -- putting it on everything from sandwiches to pizza to nachos and everything else they can think of.

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In 2013, TODAY reported that “since 1970, [Americans have] gone from 8 pounds per person per year to 23 pounds.” That is a whole lot of cheese we're consuming. To put it in perspective, five bags of sugar weigh 25 pounds.

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Pasta Is Carb-Dense

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Noodles are full of carbohydrates and have a high glycemic index, causing them to increase your blood sugar levels. Combined with the fact that pasta is often served with processed meats and topped with cheese means that a trip to an Italian restaurant can be one that is bad for your health.

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Alternatives to traditional pastas exist, fortunately. You can make "spaghetti" from veggies like squash and zucchini noodles. Soba noodles (made from buckwheat flour) are another choice if you're looking to skip the pasta.

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Bread Is Carbalicious

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High in starch and carbohydrates, this is another food which is not good for you. The good news is that some bread is less unhealthy than others. Whole wheat is better than refined wheat because whole grain bread contains more nutrients and fiber. Bread that is made with sprouted grains is also healthier than regular bread made from refined grains.

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Lucky for us, the past few years have brought along many low-carb diets and products that make giving up favorites like bread a bit easier to stomach.

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Refined Chocolates Aren't Good

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You would think that it would just be the sugar in these that is bad for you, but candy bars are made with a lot of unhealthy ingredients. They are also typically made with refined wheat flour and processed fats. Combined with the high amounts of sugar, eating too many candy bars can lead to all sorts of health problems.

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If you're tempted to reach for an energy bar as a healhful alternative to a candy bar, you might want to read on and learn why that might not be such a great idea.

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Coffee Comes With Risks

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The other dangers of consuming too much coffee are less obvious than the ones we discussed earlier. Coffee contains an agent called acrylamide, a byproduct which is formed when coffee beans are roasted at high temperatures. Darker roasts have a higher acrylamide content. Some studies have linked acrylamide to cancer, making coffee --particularly dark coffee -- a dangerous habit.

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If you can give up your coffee habit altogether, that's probably best for your health. There are many varieties of teas readily available at every corner store. But if you're not convinced to give up your daily cup of java yet, read on.

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Coffee Can Make You Feel More Stressed

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More than one cup of coffee consumed per day has been linked to higher stress levels, thanks to the release of stress hormones caused by caffeine. Caffeine also messes with the metabolism of Gamma-aminobutyric acid which affects mood and stress tolerance. High stress levels contribute to heart disease, asthma, and other illnesses.

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And it's not just physical ailments caused by high stress levels. Stress can cause fatigue, can disrupt your thoughts, and even alter your behavior. This is all scary stuff and the reason relaxing activiities like yoga and meditation are at all-time popularity highs.

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Too Much Rice Can Cause Bloating

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Rice is a staple of many cuisines, but it's not very healthy. Rice has a high glycemic index and has also been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes. Brown rice has been shown to be healthier for you, but both are loaded with starches and carbohydrates which can lead to weight gain.

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Rice is even worse when fried due to the added fat and salt content. Your best bet is sticking with brown rice or even substituting another grain such as couscous or quinoa.

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Margarine Is Anything But Natural

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Once thought to be a more healthy and less fatty alternative to butter, recent studies have proven that this is not true. Margarine is a highly processed food which is loaded with artificial ingredients. It is also packed with trans fats which can lead to heart problems and weight gain.

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A study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health showed that people who consumed a lot of margarine had twice the risk of suffering a heart attack. We think we'll pass.

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Cut Back On Pizza

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Last but not least is a food that many Americans cite as a favorite: pizza! Whether you like it loaded up with tons of toppings or prefer it plain, pizza is some good stuff. The Mayo Clinic estimates that Americans eat 46 slices of it each year.

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Unfortunately, pizza usually makes dieticians' list of the worst foods for you. That's because the cheesy food is chock full of refined carbohydrates, fat, and sodium. Fortunately, you can make relatively "healthy" pizzas such as the Margherita style.

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Dark Leafy Greens Are An Excellent Source Of Folate

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Folate is an essential nutrient, and dark leafy greens are full of it. Pregnant women actually take folate supplements to make sure that their babies develop properly, so if it's good enough to make humans out of, it's definitely worth consuming on a daily basis.

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Dark leafy greens like kale, swiss chard, collard greens, turnip greens, and spinach are also excellent sources of zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and fiber.

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Garlic Has Medicinal Properties

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Garlic adds tons of flavor to your cooking, but its also a great source of manganese, vitamin Cm, vitamin B6, selenium, and fiber. People have been using garlic as medicine for centuries, and research shows that this plant may be effective at lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

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Garlic contains sulfur compounds which may even play a role in preventing some types of cancer. Basically, it's good for everything except for your breath.

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Green Tea Comes In Many Forms

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Green tea in powdered form or in leaf form has a lot of health benefits. The green tea plant is originally from China. In Asia, people use green tea in traditional Chinese medicine. Green tea is full of antioxidants, which have been shown to possibly reduce rates of cancer, and it features compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects.

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The caffeine in green tea can possibly make it an effective weight loss tool, as well as a mild appetite suppressant.

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Olive Oil Is Liquid Gold

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Olive oil is a healthy source of fat that's extracted from the fruit of olive trees. Most olive oils are made in the Mediterranean and this oil is a staple in the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is a great source of what's known as MUFAs, or monounsaturated fatty acids. MUFAs are great for heart health.

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Adding olive oil to your diet could help you reduce your risk of developing heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in America.

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Ginger Is Great For Gut Health

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Ginger Is Great For Gut Health
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Ginger root is a spice that comes from the root of a flowering plant that grows in China. It's used for both it's delicious flavor and it's medicinal properties. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger is used to calm upset stomachs.

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Also, ginger contains antioxidants such as gingerol that are great for overall health. Studies have shown that ginger may reduce the risk of developing several chronic illnesses such as dementia and heart disease.

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Black Beans Are A Great Source Of Protein

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Black beans are packed with protein, but unlike many other sources of protein, they don't contain a lot of fat. What they do contain is a lot of is fiber, and this potent combination of protein and fiber will keep you feeling full for a long time.

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These beans will also help reduce constipation and bloating. They lower cholesterol levels, and they contain magnesium which is a key ingredient for maintaining bone health.

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Salmon Is A Superfish

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Salmon Is A Superfish
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A lot of fish and shellfish are full of nutrients and salmon is no exception. In fact, this fish is an excellent source of potassium, selenium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.

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Fish oil is so healthy that people take it in pill form, but if you eat salmon, you can get it right from the source. Salmon is known for being a "brain food" because of all of those omega-3s.

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Flaxseeds Are Easy To Eat

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Flaxseeds are super rich in dietary fiber. They also contain omega-3 fats, which, as we know, are good for heart health. Flaxseeds have been proven to help digestion and reduce rates of type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

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Flaxseeds are super easy to incorporate into your diet. You can grind them up and sprinkle them on just about anything, like oatmeal, cereal, salads, and smoothies. We could all use a little more flax in our lives

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Brazil Nuts Are Full Of Selenium

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Brazil Nuts Are Full Of Selenium
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Brazil nuts are considered a superfood because of their high selenium content. In fact, brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium available to us. Selenium is an essential mineral and antioxidant that's needed to support immune function.

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It also helps our nerves and cells function properly. It's also necessary for the thyroid hormones to function properly within our bodies. Basically, we need selenium to live, and brazil nuts are delicious, so it's a win-win.

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An Apple A Day

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An Apple A Day
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Everyone knows the saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," and sayings don't become sayings for no reason. Apple skin is full of fiber and an antioxidant known as quercetin.

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The apple flesh is full of water to hydrate you and keep you feeling full. The best way to eat apples is fresh from the tree. When you cook an apple, you cook out a lot of the vitamins.

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Quinoa Contains More Protein Than Any Other Grain

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MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images
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If you can't kick that carb habit, swap out white rice or pasta for quinoa, a gluten free, high protein grain that contains adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids. This grain also contains tons of fiber, magnesium, vitamin B, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E, and beneficial antioxidants.

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Make a quinoa salad and throw in a bunch of other superfoods like green peppers, mushrooms, or leafy greens.

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Eggs Are Perfect Protein Packs

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Eggs Are Perfect Protein Packs
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Photo by Britta Pedersen/picture alliance via Getty Images
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While eggs do contain a lot of cholesterol, so far there is no conclusive evidence that high cholesterol foods actually raise your blood cholesterol. Eggs are still considered to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.

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They're full of protein and antioxidants that are good for eye health. Eating eggs could even increase "good" HDL cholesterol levels in some people, which could lead to a reduced risk of developing heart disease.

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Let Turmeric Spice Up Your Life

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Let Turmeric Spice Up Your Life
Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
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If you're looking for a spice that has real medicinal qualities, start with a healthy spoonful of turmeric. This bright orange spice has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties, Also, it tastes great and it adds a lovely color to whatever you're cooking.

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This spice goes great with curries and soups of all sorts. You can buy it whole or already dried and ground depending on your own preference in spices.

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Mushrooms Make Everything Better

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Mushrooms Make Everything Better
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Photo by Natalia FedosenkoTASS via Getty Images
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According to Healthline, many kinds of mushrooms contain polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, and lipids, all of which have been linked to lowering cholesterol and reducing cancer risks. So putting mushrooms on your pizza won't take away pizza's unhealthy qualities, but it will give you some nice health benefits.

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Mushrooms are great for adding flavor and can absorb a lot of spices to ensure the taste you are attempting to achieve doesn't get drowned out by other ingredients.

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Lentils Help People Manage Diabetes

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Lentils Help People Manage Diabetes
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Lentils can be classified as a superfood because they play a role in managing and preventing certain diseases. These little legumes are full of B vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber.

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Eating lentils can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their disease. They can also help people lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Lentils can make you feel full fast, and they can fill you up for a long time, so they're a great tool for weight management.

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Bell Peppers Get Healthier As They Get Older

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Bell Peppers Get Healthier As They Get Older
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Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
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Did you know that bell peppers contain a whole day's worth of vitamin C? They also contain a bunch of carotenoids, which are antioxidants like beta carotene. Here's a tip when it comes to bell peppers: The riper they are, the more nutrients they contain.

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You don't want to wait until they're limp and they can quickly develop mold if you wait to long to bite into one of these delicious superfoods.

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Seaweed Is Different From Ordinary Vegetables

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Seaweed Is Different From Ordinary Vegetables
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Photo by Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
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You can get seaweed in a bunch of different forms, but the form you're probably most familiar with is nori, which is the dried seaweed that's used to make sushi and maki. Seaweed is full of tons of nutrients including vitamin K, folate, iodine, and fiber.

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Because seaweed grows in the water and not on land, it contains a lot of compounds you can't find in vegetables that grow in soil.

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A Sweet Potato Doesn't Raise Your Blood Sugar Too Much

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A Sweet Potato Doesn't Raise Your Blood Sugar Too Much
Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images
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Unlike regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are full of nutrients like potassium, fiber, and vitamins A and C. A lot of orange vegetables contain vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of carotenoids, which is a type of antioxidant.

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Even though sweet potatoes are sweet, they don't actually raise your blood sugar as much as you'd think they could. In fact, sweet potatoes can be used as a tool to control blood sugar levels.

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Kiwis Are Full Of Vitamins

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Kiwis Are Full Of Vitamins
Tracy A Woodward/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Tracy A Woodward/The Washington Post via Getty Images
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These small furry fruits are full of flavor and nutrients. Kiwis contain vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, and potassium. All of those vitamins in a little 40 calorie package.

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Kiwis also contain antioxidants and they're a good source of fiber. You can eat kiwis plain, with a spoon, or you can blend them into delicious smoothies. Just remember like all of the foods on our diet, you should balance your kiwi consumption with other dietary considerations.

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Avocado Isn't Just For Millennials

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Avocado Isn't Just For Millennials
Photo by Jose CASTANARES / AFP
Photo by Jose CASTANARES / AFP
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Raise your hand if you think avocados are the most delicious addition to almost any food item. Anything you put avocado on becomes better instantly. These squishy, smooth orbs of goodness contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

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Just like olive oil, avocados are high in MUFAs or monounsaturated fats. That means that avocados are good for heart health and they can reduce your risk of developing heart disease.