10 Foods to Avoid After Age 30

May 20, 2018

One the greatest freedoms that come with being an adult is the freedom of choice. Adults control their own schedules and activities. They can also eat whatever they want, including indulging in desserts and other tasty treats. But the body doesn’t share this same freedom of choice. It will only respond to what it’s fed. If people aren’t careful, the body is not good at keeping secrets and hiding those extra calories. As the belly grows bigger and the scale flashes like a police siren, it’s time to pay attention and take action. 

We all want to look beautiful and feel good in our 30’s just like we did in our 20’s. We need to learn how to maintain a healthy body size and shape. The older we become, the more difficult it is for us to fend off excess weight. Bodies change with age, and our food habits need to change, too. Metabolism naturally slows down, therefore, our diet needs to be reassessed. Some foods seriously sabotage a healthy lifestyle. 

To feel healthy and look great when you reach the age of 30 and beyond, avoid consuming the following products: 
 

Flavored yogurt contains roughly 32 grams of sugar. That’s more sugar than a regular sized candy bar! Sugar has many negative effects on the body, from weight gain and high blood pressure to a poor complexion and increased wrinkles. Look for lower sugar options like Greek yogurt. 

The canning process removes several vitamins from the otherwise very nutritious and fresh vegetables. Both salt and sugar are added as flavor enhancers. However, neither addition is good for the body. The harmful effects of sugar were mentioned in point #2. Meanwhile, salt causes the body to retain water. This causes dehydration which in turn raises blood pressure and damages the walls of the blood vessels. Your body needs some salt for electrolytes, but processed food, including canned goods, contains far more than needed. There is also concern that the can itself releases toxic chemicals which are absorbed by the food. Fresh vegetables are the best option, but frozen veggies are a surprisingly good alternative.

With age, your body is generally less tolerant of alcohol. While it is low in sugar, alcohol is high in calories and can lead to unwanted pounds. Furthermore, binge drinking is harder to recover from as you get older. Alcohol slows circulation which causes it to stay in the liver longer. The longer the alcohol is in the liver, the more damage it does. If the liver is damaged and cannot function properly to flush out toxins, the toxins will escape through your skin causing rashes, eczema and other skin conditions. 

Sausages are usually high in fat and sodium, two big contributors to weight gain. The preservatives, flavor enhancers and stabilizers contained in processed meat, such as sausages, have been linked to the development of stomach cancer and other diseases. An occasional indulgence is fine, but consumption should be limited to a rare treat. Eggs are a tasty high protein option. 

We love to eat pastries for breakfast or maybe as part of a special brunch. However, these pastries have infiltrated our daily lives as they are readily available in boxes on the shelf of our neighborhood grocery store. They require little to no time to prepare and are satisfying. If you are in a hurry, there are some granola bars that are a better alternative. However, fruit is probably the healthiest choice for your body, and the most satisfying as it is loaded with fiber and just the right touch of sweetness. 

For those who are pregnant or considering starting a family, studies have shown that fertility is reduced in people who consume a daily soda. These beverages also contain a huge amount of sugar. Your body craves and needs plain old water! 

Drinks containing artificial sweeteners are known to contain carcinogenic ingredients like methanol. These sweet tasting drinks also trick your body into thinking it’s consuming calories that need to be burned. Your body releases chemicals to utilize those calories as energy. However, when your body finds nothing there (sugar-free), it sends signals that indicate it needs food. You then have cravings even though you aren’t truly hungry. Unsweetened coffee or tea are better choices when water isn’t quite enough. 

Popcorn by itself is actually a great food because it provides much-needed fiber. However, when served dripping with butter and covered in a salt bath, it is better left alone. Microwave popcorn is super convenient, but the bag breaks down and releases harmful chemicals during preparation. Go for air-popped popcorn and experiment with different flavorings like cinnamon or parmesan and pepper. 

Besides being loaded with salt, chips and other similar snacks are full of synthetic flavors, which give the chips that taste we just can’t get enough of. These chemicals leave us wanting more as they wreak havoc on our insides and cause a wide range of side effects. If it is a crunch that you are seeking, veggies like carrots and celery are the way to go. 

Soy sauce and other condiments should be avoided because of the large amounts of salt they contain. Don’t be fooled if their labels don’t mention salt. Salt has other names such as sodium, baking soda, and monosodium glutamate. As mentioned before, too much salt in the diet is harmful. The dehydration it causes can also lead to kidney stones and joint problems which are both very painful conditions. Drinking plenty of fluids can help keep the body in tip-top shape. 
 

Use this list to help you to make good choices and age beautifully as you reach 30. If you have found something helpful or can add a few tips, I welcome the feedback!