Addictive food and drinks that we do not stop consuming!

In Mexico, it has been very difficult to change eating habits, find healthy food choices, substitute ingredients in recipes, exercise, and break the association of food with pleasure, boredom, stress management, and other emotions. Obesity, diabetes, cancer, hypertension (and many other diseases) are part of society due to our diet rich in processed flours and an excess of the famous "vitamin T": tacos, tamales, tortas, tostadas, tequila and tlacoyos .

By consuming an excess of foods high in sugar and fat, we tend to forget about our physical health and let a cascade of consequences begin that will affect our well-being. However, if we replace the following five foods with other foods rich in fiber and nutrients (such as vegetables), we will have a better quality of life.

1. REFINED CARBOHYDRATES.

Foods with white flour such as sweet bread, white bread, pasta, cakes, cookies and sugary box cereals. The calories in these processed foods (low in fiber and nutrients) are absorbed very quickly, raise blood sugar, and are immediately stored as fat.

2. REFRESHMENT AND ALCOHOL.

Besides having chemicals and other very unhealthy ingredients; a 600 ml bottle of soda contains 60 g of sugar, that is, 12 tablespoons. They are high in sodium, aluminum, and contain endocrine disruptors that affect our hormonal health. As if that weren't enough, they cause gastritis, reflux, and bloating.

Alcohol is a drug that depresses the central nervous system, that is, it slows down the functions of the brain. They are empty calories that produce inflammation at the cellular level. It overworks your liver and being pure fast-absorbing carbohydrates, it will accumulate in your body as fat.

3. Fried foods.

This group includes French fries, pork rinds, nachos, Japanese peanuts. Fried foods contain trans fats, which when accumulated create a fatty plaque that sticks to the artery walls. We must replace trans fats with “good” fats (nuts, avocados, olive oil), which protect us from coronary heart disease and lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

4. Sugar and sweeteners.

This is a dangerous addiction. Not all fats are the same; However, in the case of sugar we can say that it is practically like any other, since the body does not recognize the difference. But what is wrong with sugar? The answer is simple: it is a drug. And yes, all those "low calorie" and "light" products are packed with sugar. Sugar increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. It also contributes to premature aging, ranging from wrinkles to Alzheimer's.

5. Bread

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. It is made up of two molecules: glutenin and gliadin, which are responsible for giving bread a sticky texture. It is also present in pre-packaged foods, sauces, non-prescription drugs, supplements, among others. An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine listed 55 diseases that can be caused by eating gluten. These include osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal inflammation, anemia, cancer, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis to name a few.

What can we do?

The simplest solution to reduce its consumption and improve your health is: eat everything that comes from its source, nothing packaged. Prepare your meals at home and avoid processed foods. Eating good sources of protein, fat, and fiber will help with sugar cravings. Listen to your body, stop counting calories, exercise and prioritize your rest, sleep is a basic factor to maintain a healthy brain with healthy cognitive abilities.