 Coffee,
cola drinks, black tea, chocolate and cocoa are all caffeine containing foods.
Most Americans are raised on caffeine containing foods since childhood. Chocolate
is a favorite sweet among most children and hot chocolate a favorite drink
especially during winter months. Teenagers consume carbonated drinks and colas
that contain caffeine.
Caffeine belongs to a class of chemicals commonly called methylxanthines.
This chemical has a drug like stimulant effect on the body. Adult Americans
consume as much as ten pounds of coffee per year and about two cups per person
per day. But remember that a single cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of
caffeine which is enough to create a mild stimulatory effect. Habitual coffee
drinkers should reduce their daily intake to one cup (or glass) per day or
even less.
Fast Food
If you are desperately trying to shed those extra pounds then stay away from
fast foods. They are high in calories, fat and sodium and are bad for you.
They often lack vitamins and minerals.
If you have been enjoying fast food for a while it is difficult to give it
up entirely. Have it occasionally but make a wise choice. You can choose either
grilled foods or salads instead of the fried stuff and avoid the high- fat,
high- calorie toppings like ranch dressing. Even if you are very hungry get
the normal portion and not the jumbo combos. Choose an extra large portion
of water instead.
Sugar and Sugar Filled Foods
Most sweetened foods like candy, cakes and cookies is high in fat and loaded
with calories that contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Even fat-free sugar-filled
foods, like jelly beans, provide mostly calories and nothing else. Foods that
are rich in natural sugars such as fruits and certain vegetables like peas and
corn are better for you because they supply vitamins, minerals and fiber while
satisfying your sweet tooth.
The World Health Organization suggests that healthy people limit added sugar
intake to 10% of total daily calories. This means that if you are on a 2,000-calorie
diet, you can take in at the most 50 grams of added sugar per day. This sugar
allowance includes the added sweeteners in processed foods that do not seem
to be sweet like bread and cereal. Read the food labels to find out the sugar
content (most often added sugar) of processed foods. Try to change your eating
habit by going in for whole-grain graham crackers and fig bars instead of the
store-bought chocolate chip and cream-filled sandwich cookies.
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