How Unhealthy Foods Affect Your Body

FATS

Naturally occurring fats are found in meats and dairy, and in small quantities, they are not bad for you. Trans fats are unhealthy and found in most junk food.

In addition to deep-fried foods, trans fats are found in all kinds of snacks: doughnuts, pizza, cookies, crackers, and baked goods.

Those who regularly snack on junk food risk arterial cardiac disease and stroke from elevated blood pressure and have an  increased risk of diabetes. 

CARBOHYDRATES

Carbs and sugars aren’t always bad for you. Naturally occurring carbohydrates, like those found in fruits and vegetables, are full of dietary fiber and contain glucose, a healthy naturally occurring sugar.

When you eat chips, noodles, or baked goods made with refined flour or fructose, you start craving more sugary foods  while your body struggles to process what you have eaten. The excess sugar molecules become fat, which in turn facilitates weight gain. Over time, eating too many bad carbs can also lead to type 2 diabetes.

PROCESSED MEATS

Beef jerky, lunch meat from the deli counter, bologna, bacon are not healthy. Each are loaded with preservatives called sodium nitrate, a chemical that causes changes in your arteries that lead to heart disease and has been linked to cancers.

SODIUM

Students love processed food, but most of it is packed with sodium. According to the American Heart Association, nearly ¾ of the salt we eat comes from processed foods. For college students, this includes inexpensive boxed macaroni and cheese and dorm food like ramen noodles, canned soups, and salty snacks.

Students who regularly binge on high-sodium foods risk raising their blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease or a stroke down the line.

CAFFEINE

Drinking caffeine too late in the day can cause insomnia. Too much caffeine can aggravate problems with anxiety or heart rate. You can also develop stomach pains after consuming caffeine, and large quantities can cause acid reflux.

Caffeine increases blood sugar levels, and there are extra sugar loaded into some caffeinated drinks. . Caffeine is fine in moderation.