With the epidemic of cancer and cancer-causing agents increasing in our everyday life, it is alarming how little we do to keep our bodies protected. However staying cancer free isn’t just a matter of luck – it is also about changing your lifestyle and food habits, ensuring that you and your family stay healthy. Here is a list of 10 common foods that you should cut down to eliminate carcinogenic compounds from your diet!
1. Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated oils contain trans fats, which is considered the worst kind of fat there is. There is no safe amount of trans fats in your diet, so avoiding this cancer-causing food altogether would be advised. You can avoid hydrogenated oil by choosing coconut, palm, or olive oil. Organic butter is a better option as well.
2. French Fries/Potato Chips
We know that these foods aren’t good for us, but did you realize that they’re considered cancer-causing foods? These fast food staples are fried in hydrogenated vegetable oil and then heavily salted. WIt increases the risk of high blood pressure as well as other health problems. In addition, foods heated above a certain temperature have high levels of acrylamide. vegetables.
3. Microwave Popcorn
There is more than just kernels in most microwave popcorn. It contains PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) which is a likely carcinogen. Dr. Andrew Weil sets the record straight about microwave popcorn, explaining artificial butter contains another dangerous chemical that can damage the lungs when inhaled. To reduce your risk of exposure to these chemicals, air pop your popcorn and add your own flavoring instead.
4. Processed Meats
Bacon, lunch meat, hot dogs, sausages, and other processed meats have been shown to be cancer-causing foods, increasing the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67%, a study by the University of Hawaii concluded. Look for meats free of nitrites to help reduce your risk with these cancer-causing foods.
5. Red Meat
A brand new study confirms the belief that red meat increases cancer risk, however, you don’t need to cut out red meat entirely. In fact, just opt for grass-fed organic meat, which contains conjugated linoleic acid that can actually fight against certain cancers. Also, keep red meat consumption to a minimum to further decrease your risk.
6. Farmed Salmon
If you are avoiding processed meats and red meat, you might find yourself eating more salmon. Well, avoid the farmed version of this fish because a study at the University at Albany found it is often full of cancer-causing contaminants such as pesticides, antibiotics, PCBs, and even flame retardants, Opt for the wild version instead to get the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids that salmon provides, without contaminants.
7. Refined Sugar/Soda
Refined sugar is a danger because not only is it typically GMO because it’s genetically modified sugar beets, but it rapidly spikes insulin levels. Fructose, the type of sugar found in soda, is a serious cancer culprit as well. It contains caramel color, a known carcinogen. Soda acidifies the body, which in turn causes cancer cells to multiply. Skip the sodas altogether limited your intake of refined sugars.
8. “Diet” Foods
If you see buzz words like “diet”, “low-fat”, “fat-free”, or “sugar-free” then those missing items are likely to be replaced with chemicals. Diet foods are loaded with artificial sweeteners, artificial colors and flavors, and more. Choosing the regular version of these foods in moderation is a better option than the diet counterparts, and will help you avoid cancer-causing foods.
9. Refined White Flour
Bleached food doesn’t sound like a good thing, because it isn’t. Traces of the chemicals remain in the food. Also, highly processed flours also have a high carbohydrate content which upset the blood sugar balance inside our body and leads to a higher production of insulin and thus feeds cancer cells. Avoid carbohydrates that are highly processed such as white bread, white pasta, white rice, soda & concentrated fruit juices to avoid this reaction in your body.
10. GMOs/Glyphosate
With no testing done by regulatory bodies to ensure safety, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have made their way into the majority of our foods. These GMO foods have been modified to withstand heavy doses of a pesticide called glyphosate OR are engineered to contain a toxin that kills bugs. Not enough independent studies have been done to prove safety or danger, but independent testing has shown to cause rapid tumor growth in lab rats