Truth be told, it’s the sodium content that is a hidden threat. This irresistible mound of fries slathered in cheese can contain up to 780 calories, half of which come from fat. It has 88 grams of carbs and 35 mg of cholesterol. Yet, the sodium levels are off the charts with 1330 mg of salt. That means cheese fries are 56 percent salt.
Too much sodium, actually sodium chloride, causes high blood pressure. Hypertension affects one out of three people in the U.S. Excess sodium intake will also put you at risk for stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, stomach cancer, and kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure.
‘Do You Like Piña Coladas?’
“Getting caught in the rain?” If so, limit yourself to one. One piña colada actually counts as two drinks according to the NIH cocktail content calculator. The way they measure it, it’s twice the calories and twice the fat. A piña colada has a whopping 68 grams of sugar. It puts Coca-Cola to shame. You can have dessert instead of piña colada and come out the same in fat and calories.
What makes it so decadent? A half-cup of diced frozen pineapple, two ounces of pineapple juice, two ounces of Colo Lopez coconut cream, one-and-a-half ounces of white rum, and one ounce of dark rum. Blend.
Just Say ‘No’ to Shark
Keep sharks off the endangered species list. Besides, shark meat is loaded with toxins you do not want to eat. High levels of mercury, arsenic, and lead were found in Great white sharks off the coast of South Africa by a study from Science Daily.
Bottom feeders that clean up the ocean floor of toxins like mercury are gobbled up by sharks. We become the top predator by consuming shark meat, and all those toxins contaminate our bodies.
Creamy Soups
Another food that packs a high sodium punch is cream-based soup. Just one serving offers half the daily recommendation of sodium intake. Tracy Lesht, an NYC says to stay away from ingredients like "cream of, chowder," and "bisque."
Lesht encourages people to opt for broths and vegetable-based soups. These are generally healthier because they contain less fat and cream.
Breakfast Should Not Be the Unhealthiest Meal of the Day
Pancakes and eggs, separately, are not an entirely unhealthy breakfast choice. It is the bacon, sausage, syrup, cheese, and butter that pack on the fat and calories. On average, we should consume about 300 to 400 calories at breakfast.
Going out to eat for breakfast makes that goal literally impossible. The “classic skillet” breakfast at IHOP, for example, has 1,800 calories! It’s eggs, potatoes, pancakes, and a side of bacon or sausage. And then we pour syrup over it. It’s like consuming the entire day’s calories first thing in the morning.