Foods to Limit

What types of food you eat and how it effects your body is something every teen should understand. Some foods should be limited because it has a negative effect on your body. The most important ones to limit are foods that contain a high amount of sugars and fats (trans fat), sodium, and hydrogenated oil.

Sugar: Sugar intake needs to be limited especially for teens because it can effect your body and lead to diseases in the future. Sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly. If you eat foods with lots of sugar, it will force the pancreas (the organ that maintains sugar levels in your body) to give off insulin, so the sugar level will drop. This movement of the sugar levels in your body can lead to diabetes and coronary disease. Also, when your pancreas gives off insulin, it depresses your immune system.

Trans Fat: Teenagers should limit their intake of trans fat because it has a double-negative effect on your body. It not only raises your bad (LDL) cholesterol, but it also lowers your good (HDL) cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. Trans fat can be found in Spreads (margarine, butter) and shortenings, fried foods, baked goods, and many more.

Sodium: Sodium is essential to your body in small amounts. Sodium helps transmit nerve impulses, maintain a balance of fluids in your body, and influences muscle contractions and relaxation. However, if you have to much sodium, your kidneys might not be able to get rid of it all, and it will accumulate in your blood. Because sodium holds and attracts water, your blood volume will increase, making it harder for your heart to move the blood from one place to another. As a result, the pressure in your arteries will increase, and could eventually lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and congestive heart failure.

Hydrogenated oils: When hydrogenated oil is made, it converts the good fats to trans fat. (See trans fat)