Story By Jessica Wells-Nutritionist-

America is a land of plenty, including plenty of unhealthy foods. Many of these foods have become a staple in the American diet, despite their negative impact on our health. In this article, we will discuss 16 of the unhealthiest foods that Americans should stop eating and why.

1. Sugary Drinks: Sugary drinks such as soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are loaded with added sugars and empty calories. These drinks can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
2. Processed Meats: Processed meats such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats are high in sodium, nitrates, and other preservatives. These meats have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.
3. Fried Foods: Fried foods such as french fries, onion rings, and fried chicken are high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium. These foods can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease.
4. Fast Food: Fast food is often high in calories, unhealthy fats, sodium, and added sugars. These foods can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
5. Candy: Candy is high in added sugars and empty calories. Consuming too much candy can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
6. Cakes and Pastries: Cakes and pastries are high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories. These foods can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
7. White Bread: White bread is made from refined grains that have been stripped of many essential nutrients. This bread is high in calories and low in fiber, which can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
8. Ice Cream: Ice cream is high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories. Consuming too much ice cream can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
9. Potato Chips: Potato chips are high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium. These foods can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease.
10. Margarine: Margarine is a processed food that is high in unhealthy trans fats. These fats can increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decrease your HDL (good) cholesterol levels, increasing your risk of heart disease.
11. Processed Snack Foods: Processed snack foods such as crackers, cookies, and chips are often high in calories, unhealthy fats, sodium, and added sugars. These foods can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
12. Frozen Dinners: Frozen dinners are often high in sodium, calories, and unhealthy fats. These meals can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
13. Canned Soups: Canned soups are often high in sodium and preservatives. Consuming too much-canned soup can increase your blood pressure and your risk of chronic diseases.
14. Doughnuts: Doughnuts are high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories. Consuming too many doughnuts can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
15. Pizza: Pizza is often high in calories, unhealthy fats, sodium, and added sugars. Consuming too much pizza can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
16. Alcohol: Alcohol is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. Excessive alcohol consumption can also increase your risk of liver disease, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and other chronic health conditions.

In conclusion, these 16 foods are not beneficial to our health and should be avoided or consumed in moderation. By making healthier food choices, we can improve our overall health and reduce our risk of chronic diseases.