Five habits people with lucky skin share

Are women with naturally beautiful skin just plain lucky? We spill the beans.

Five habits people with good skin share:

Habit #1: They never go to bed with makeup on

After a long, tiring night, it may be the last thing you’d want to do – wash your face. But by now we all know that leaving makeup on can be disastrous for your skin. It clogs your skin’s pores, trapping the oil, leading to dead cell accumulation and even breakouts. Worse, leaving eye makeup on can result in you waking up with itchy, red eyes. So no matter how tired you are, walk up to the sink and wash it off.

We suggest you pour some baby oil onto a cotton ball and remove eye-makeup and then just wash your face with a good face-wash. This is less cumbersome in comparison to using a cleansing lotion. Do this only on nights that you are very tired. Otherwise go the elaborate way, as it removes any trace of leftover makeup.

Habit #2: They wear sunscreen everyday

The sun’s harmful rays are known to be a major cause for skin damage; even causing early ageing. So this is definitely one thing you mustn’t skip before heading out during the day. Experts recommend using a sunscreen with SPF 30 at least in combination with a moisturiser. Even oily skin needs external moisture application. But choose one that isn’t too heavy.

Habit #3: They keep their hands off their faces

Many people can’t seem to keep their hands off their faces. This is one nasty habit. By doing this, you’re transferring all the bacteria from your dirty hands — that have touched all things under the sun — onto your face. And now we know why your skin has been breaking out.

Keep your hands strictly off your face. Don’t touch it unnecessarily, when you have to use clean hands.

Habit #4: They get their beauty sleep

When one doesn’t get adequate zzzz time, it shows on the skin. All those lucky women who have glowing, radiant skin never skimp on their sleep. Sleep time is when your skin repairs itself, if you take that away from it – your skin is likely to look haggard.

So get at least 8 hours of sleep a day. Unless you’re doing that you are missing out on the last burst of growth hormone that is released during the last stage of sleep. This growth hormone is known to play a key role in carrying blood to the skin’s surface, which oxygenates the skin and improves its overall appearance.

Habit #5: They don’t overdo it

This one is of utmost import. The best skincare regimes are those that are done in balance. By this we mean, not overdoing them in your hunt for perfect skin. Over cleansing, over moisturising and over medicating the skin upsets the balance. For example, you’re having breakouts, and so you try using a host of products that control oil secretion. When you do this, you end up over-drying your skin, and this puts the sebaceous glands in your skin on alert, and they begin to produce more oil, resulting in more breakouts.

So wash your face two times a day. Moisturise it and apply sunscreen in the morning. At night, make sure you remove all makeup and apply a night cream that suits you. Get facials once a month or perhaps every 15 days if you think your skin needs one. But don not over do any skincare regime.

Also read: 

• Sunstroke prevention and prevalence
• Always wear sunscreen
• Adult acne: Why you get it and how to treat it
• Basic questions on skincare answered
• Skincare at night Dos and Donts

Source: Yahoo!

The Superfood that Fires Up Your Metabolism

Today I listened to a podcast about hot new flavors and one of the top trends was spicy peppers, particularly interesting combinations like jalapeno mango or chili lime...yum! I was thrilled because hot peppers are one of the natural seasonings I feature in my newest book S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim. Rather than adding salt or sugar, I flavor each meal with five types of natural seasonings: hot peppers (jalapeños, chili pepper, crushed red pepper , cayenne, etc.); herbs and spices (basil, garlic, rosemary, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, etc.); vinegar (balsamic, champagne, brown rice or infused options like fig, pear, or pomegranate); tea (green, black, white, and oolong); and citrus juice or zest. In some recipes I combine several seasonings, like stir-fry options that use brown rice vinegar, a splash of fresh squeezed citrus juice, garlic, fresh grated ginger, and crushed red pepper. I also like to use hot peppers as a garnish, like in this picnic snack, which includes sliced red jalapeno on top of whole-grain crackers spread with garlic-basil pesto. 

I had to build up my tolerance for peppers and spicy seasonings over the years, but I'm glad I did, because there are numerous benefits to including some heat in your diet. One study from Purdue University found that cayenne pepper helped curb appetite and increase calorie burning. Over six weeks, the researchers tracked 25 people, half of whom liked spicy food and half of whom did not. They consumed either no hot pepper , their preferred amount, or a standardized amount, which was about half a teaspoon. Both groups burned more calories when they consumed hot peppers, and those who were infrequent eaters of spicy food also felt less hungry after eating the spice and experienced fewer cravings for salty, fatty, and sweet foods. 

And, in addition to a boost in metabolism and appetite regulation, peppers offer other important health benefits: 

They help clear congestion 
Capsaicin , the substance that gives peppers their heat, is similar to a compound found in many decongestants. If you add a dash of cayenne pepper to a cup of hot tea it will help stimulate the mucus membranes that line your nasal passages to drain so you can breathe easier. 

They boost immunity 
Peppers are an excellent source of both vitamin C, which supports immunity, as well as vitamin A, which helps to form mucous membranes, barriers that keep germs out of your body. 

They're heart healthy 
Peppers have been shown to fight heart disease by lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol , increasing "good" HDL, and improving circulation. 

They reduce ulcer risk 
Many people think that hot peppers cause ulcers, but in fact the opposite is true. We now know that most ulcers are caused by bacteria, and hot peppers help to kill that bacteria. 


Source: Yahoo!

The No-diet Plan: The Easiest Way to Lose Weight Without Feeling Deprived

By Sarah B. Weir, 

Let's face it, dieting is not fun. Eating is fun and moreover, necessary. However, if you, like many of us, have padded out with a few extra pounds this winter, you might be considering a slim-down plan for summer. 

Here's a secret: losing five to ten pounds doesn't have to be torture. Unless your eating habits have truly gone off the rails (in which case you should speak with your doctor who may refer you to a registered dietician or nutritionist), you don't need to, and shouldn't, drastically alter your regular routine. 

Crash diets are unhealthy. They cause unpleasant side effects such as dehydration, kidney stones, bad breath, and dizziness. Dramatically cutting back on calories can also lead to weight cycling—when you gain back more than you initially lost. In fact, the majority of dieters regain all those hard lost pounds plus more within a couple of years. 

The no-diet plan 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says the safest and most realistic weight loss goal is about one pound a week. Losing one pound means cutting back on about 3,500 calories. By eliminating 500 calories a day you will shed a pound a week at a healthy rate without feeling deprived. 

Rather than thinking of this strategy as a diet, look at it as a budget. If you are broke, you make a tasty, cheap cup of coffee at home rather than ordering a grande at Starbucks (or at least you should). How can you make the daily swaps in your eating and activity patterns that will be the least painful? 

Here are ways to cut or burn 50, 100, and 200 calories. Mix and match what works for you as long as the items you choose add up to 500 calories a day. You will soon be on the way to a sleeker physique, just in time for beach weather. Another benefit of swapping, trimming, and adding doable exercise is that your smart new habits will help you keep the weight off over the long run. 

50 calories 

Eat one piece of toast in instead of two, or have an open-faced sandwich 
Mix juice with half water 
Swap one cup of skim milk for one cup of whole milk 
Eat one small handful of nuts rather than one large handful 
Leave the cheese off your sandwich 
Swap mustard for mayo 
Leave the butter or oil off your vegetable 
Swap a turkey burger for a beef burger 
Swap vinaigrette for creamy salad dressing 
Skip one cookie 
Stand or pace when you are on the telephone instead of sitting 
Push a baby in a stroller for 15 minutes 
Cook a simple meal instead of ordering take out 
Mow the lawn 
Take the stairs (ten minutes per day) 
Do a quick stretch and free weight routine while watching TV 
Give a 15-minute massage 
100 calories 

Eat one medium apple or orange instead of drinking a glass of juice 
Skip eight ounces of juice 
Eat a small sandwich instead of a regular sandwich
Eat one rather than two eggs 
Eat one tablespoon of peanut butter instead of two 
Eat plain cheese or vegetable pizza instead of pepperoni or sausage pizza 
Eat broth-based soup instead of cream-based soup 
Eat a half-cup less rice or pasta 
Eat a baked potato instead of French fries 
Eat baked chips instead of fried chips 
Choose a skinless portion of chicken 
Cut a six ounce steak in half and save the rest 
Swap one cup of frozen yogurt for one cup of ice cream 
Eat a half a piece of cake or pie instead of a full serving 
Eat a cup of fruit instead of candy 
Skip a glass of beer or wine 
Choose light beer or wine instead of a cocktail 
Downsize your plates, bowls, and glasses 
Play with kids at the park for 30 minutes 
Walk a dog for 30 minutes 
Take an easy 45-minute bike ride 
Go shopping for an hour 

200 calories 
Swap one cup of Kellogg's All Bran or Corn Flakes with a teaspoon of sugar for one cup of granola 
Eat an English muffin with fruit only jam instead of a bagel with cream cheese 
Eat carrots and hummus instead of chips and guacamole 
Skip the bread and butter when dining out 
Skip dessert 
Skip a cocktail 
Skip a can of soda 
Bring air popped or light microwave popcorn to the movies 
Drink an espresso instead of a latte with sugar 
Order a salad and an appetizer instead of a starter and main course 
Skip seconds 
Eat sorbet instead of ice cream 
Dance for 30 minutes 
Go bowling for an hour 
Clean your house or garden for an hour 
Rearrange your living room 
Jog for 30 minutes 
Go to a yoga class 
Hand wash your car 
Park ¾ of a mile away from work and walk the rest (both ways) 

More great tips from Susan B. Weir on her blog.
Source: Yahoo!

Mistakes That Up Your Risk of Food Poisoning

We take every precaution to avoid food poisoning: We use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables, we scrub our fresh fruit, and we disinfect just about everything. But when we focus so intensely on the major causes of food poisoning--undercooked food, unclean surfaces--little mistakes can easily slip through the cracks. Yet it's these tiny blunders that can lead to a massive case of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Are you unknowingly putting yourself at risk? U.S. News has gathered a list of common ways to give yourself food poisoning.
Not washing out your shopping bags

Reusable grocery bags may be good for the environment, but they're not always good for you. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, only one in every six people washes out reusable shopping bags on a regular basis. This can turn your handy totes into a breeding ground for bacteria, with juices from raw meat mixing with ready-to-eat foods like bread and fruit, the academy says. To help keep your food safe in transit, be sure to regularly wash your reusable bags in the washing machine or with hot, soapy water. You should also take care to separate your groceries: Use one bag for meat, poultry, and fish, and another bag for vegetables. When you've finished unloading your bags, store them in a clean, dry location (the trunk of your car doesn't count).

Keeping groceries in the car

The key to food safety is keeping food at the correct temperature. This can be a bit tricky when you're transporting your groceries from the store to your fridge--especially if you leave them in the car while you run other errands. If you can't head straight home from the store, bring along insulated bags for meat and dairy products to prevent spoiling.

Ignoring the temperature of your fridge

Tucked away in the refrigerator, chicken should keep for one to two days, red meat for three to five days, eggs for three to five weeks, and butter for one to three months. But only if your fridge is running at the proper temperature. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics insists that you keep your fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Other fridge-safety tips include keeping a thermometer on the middle shelf, and storing food in their original containers (those built-in egg holders don't keep eggs cool enough) labeled with an eat-by date.

Cleaning with a sponge

The point of wiping down your countertops is to eliminate bacteria, not spread germs around. That said, the last thing you want to use is a damp sponge or kitchen rag. Unless the sponge is fresh out of the wrapper, you're most likely making the situation worse. You're better off using paper towels and a kitchen-safe cleaning solution. However, if you're not one to overuse paper products, sanitize your sponges by washing them in the dishwasher or by moistening them and microwaving them for 30 seconds.

Casually rinsing

We've all done it: Gulped down a glass of water, swirled some hot water around in the cup, and placed it in the dish drainer. Or used our kitchen scissors for a quick snip of a meat package, dipped them under running water, and called it a day. But anything coming in contact with your mouth or with raw meat carries bacteria and needs to be washed in hot, soapy water.

Overusing antacids

Strange as it may be, people who regularly use antacids to control heart burn and acid reflux put themselves at a higher risk for contracting food poisoning. According to the Mayo Clinic, our bodies have a variety of natural defenses against food-borne illnesses, and stomach acid does a very good job of eliminating ingested bugs like salmonella. Antacids lower your stomach's acidity, allowing these bugs to make their way into your intestines. To help protect yourself, only use antacids when necessary, not as a preventative measure.

Letting critters on your countertops

Fido and Fluffy can't stand the heat, and your stomach can't stand the germs they bring to your countertops. Each step they take on your cooking and eating surfaces leaves behind traces of dander and feces, which raises your risk for illness. Animals can also carry Campylobacter enteritis, a bacterium that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites as one of the leading causes of diarrheal illnesses in the United States. To avoid Campylobacter, keep your counter and table off-limits to your furry friends, and wash your hands thoroughly after spending time with your pets.


Source: Yahoo!

What is a Healthy Breakfast?

Understanding Dynamics of Healthy Breakfast

• Firstly, a healthy breakfast doesn’t need to be very low in calories. In fact, your breakfast should be more fulfilling than your lunch and should contain more calories than your dinner.

• Yes, fat content in breakfast should be low but this doesn’t mean absolute elimination of anything containing a bit of fat. For instance, butter used in minimal amounts is within the realm of eating healthy during the morning.

• A healthy breakfast should be able to keep you full until the lunch time arrives. Ideally, you shouldn’t have anything else besides a cup of tea and biscuit or two between lunch and breakfast.

• Breakfast that is devoid of sufficient carbohydrates and proteins tends to work against your weight loss goals. A lighter breakfast will be digested sooner, inducing a dip in the blood sugar levels. This leads to hunger pangs and sugar cravings, making your snack insensibly.

• A truly healthy breakfast should provide you sufficient energy to kickstart your day. Ideally, the break items should be able to induce physical and mental energy. People who attend work after having a fulfilling breakfast are more likely to be more alert and energetic through the office hours.

Quick & Healthy Breakfast Ideas

PrevNext

1. 

   Photo by ThinkstockFri 16 Mar, 2012 12:30 PM IST
   

   "A healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” says Dr Jyothi Prasad, chief dietitian, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore.“There’s a nearly ten-hour long gap between dinner and breakfast, during which the body is on fast mode. As the name suggests, breakfast is the meal you eat to break that fast,” explains Dr Prasad, “It refuels your body with essential nutrients to kick-start your day. So don’t skip it.”

Choose Breakfast Cereals with Care

Every nutritionist advised to go heavy on complex carbohydrates and a variety of cereals during breakfast. Complex carbs contain a high amount of fiber and help to regulate blood sugar levels. Thus, muesli or vermicelli along with multi-grain breads and cookies are good breakfast, cereal choices. Other options include oatmeal and porridge. Getting sufficient carbs is vital to fight-off the hunger pangs and awaken you psychologically for the day ahead. Carbs are also vital during breakfast if you workout during the mornings. Try to avoid processed or refined cereals in all forms including breads, biscuits and buns. Cornflakes aren't the greatest choice from the perspective of eating a fulfilling breakfast. Further, many varieties of cornflakes are quoted with synthetic sugar.

Enrich Breakfast with Fruits

Fruits are an essential part of any recipe for creating a healthy breakfast. Fruits provide a ready mix of vitamins, minerals and many micronutrients that strengthen our immunity. The natural sugars found within fruits help to increase our energy levels, giving us that much needed burst-of-energy to tackle the rushed morning hours. The high-fiber content ensures that our bowel movement is regulated and distressing problems like bloating or constipation are kept away. This includes banana that are high in carbs, mangoes or pomegranates that have a very sweet taste and watermelon for its thirst-quenching, refreshing taste.

Breakfast without Eggs is Incomplete

To feel fuller through the day and fuel your body through the rigors of office-work and morning gymming, you need eggs. Having at least two eggs is recommended for an adult.







Understand Utility of Milk for Breakfast
Some people think that milk is just a traditional breakfast item and doesn’t possess any noteworthy quality. Milk is among the rare foods that contain Tryptophan. This biochemical is needed for the uptake of Serotonin—the feel-good hormone in our body. Thus, a glass of milk ensures that you start your day with a natural, anti-stress aid.

Concluding Thoughts

The best way to keep your breakfast healthy and interesting is trying different alternatives for each breakfast ingredient. This includes trying different fruits, soy milk, different multi-grain breads and eggs cooked in different ways. (Health, MensXP.com)


Source: Yahoo!

5 beauty bummers an how to beat them

BRITTLE, DISCOLOURED NAILS

WHAT CAUSES IT: We often think that leaving on nail polish too long can lead to yellow nails, which are also easily breakable. While that is true, the biggest culprit that causes yellow brittle nails is a fungal infection. "Nail discolouration could be due to fungal infections, trauma, calcium deficiency and other hereditary nail disorders. In most cases, discoloured nails are a result of infections with common fungi that can be found in the air, dust and soil. Chronic medical conditions like diabetes can also affect the appearance of nails," says Dr Simal Soin, dermatologist, Three Graces, New Delhi. "Brittle nails or nails that are prone to breaking show vitamin and mineral deficiency. It can also be due to a long-term habit of nail biting," adds Dr Indu Tolani, dermatologist, Clinic Dermatec, New Delhi .

TACKLE IT: Proper hygiene is very important to fight against fungal nails. It is also recommended not to apply polish to nails suspected of infection. In case of severe problems it is better to consult a doctor rather than stick to home remedies. Dr Soin advices that if nails get brittle as well as discoloured, see a doctor for prescription medicines. Agrees Tolani, who suggests that you need to treat the infection first. "Oral calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements and oral antifungal medications can be prescribed. Locally nail lacquers are used to improve fungal infections," adds Soin.

QUICK FIX: If you have brittle nails that are prone to breakage, then you can camouflage this by opting for artificial gel. UK-based nail and hair expert Pammy Kaul suggests that gel-based artificial nails are the best solution for women with nails that refuse to grow. "The gel nails are easy to apply and you have the option of deciding on your nail length. They are also gentle on the nails. In fact we have found that people with nail-biting problems actually forget to bite their nails once they start wearing gel-based nails." To strengthen the
nail bed of brittle nails, Tolani suggests that you apply coconut oil every night on your nails. During the day, keep the nails shiny and strong by massaging
in Vaseline.


DRY, DARK KNEES AND ELBOWS

WHAT CAUSES IT: The skin around the knees and elbows is thicker by comparison, and tends to have more pigment than the rest of our body. But constant rubbing and dry skin conditions can actually make the areas darker, drier and harder as time passes. "Many women also get dark pigmentation around their neck, along with their knees and elbows, which is caused by sun exposure, and sometimes it can be due to an allergic reaction to the hair colour that you use. For many, it can also be due to atopic dermatitis, where you will notice thickening and scaling of the skin," explains Tolani.

TACKLE IT: If your dark knees, elbows and neck are due to dryness, try this: use a good body scrub and spend a little extra time during your shower sloughing off the dead skin layer. Do not rub too hard. Pat the area dry and apply rich body butter. Another useful home remedy: mix lemon juice with olive oil and fine sugar granules, apply on the dark, dry areas, rub gently and wash off with tepid water. This works both to lighten the area and moisturise it. When heading out in the sun, you can apply whitening body lotion to ensure that your skin is protected from the sun and extra pigment production.

FIX IT: Tolani says that it is not always possible to completely wipe away pigmentation, but you can lighten it with whitening peels. Always consult a dermatologist if you are planning any treatment. In case of atopic dermatitis, your dermatologist will be able to prescribe the right treatment depending on the stage of your condition.


PATCHY SKIN, UNEVEN PIGMENTATION

WHAT CAUSES IT: Uneven melanin deposition under the skin leads to patchy skin or pigmentation. Pigmentation can appear on your face in two different forms-big patches or as small brown spots. In most cases, the sun is the biggest culprit. Photo damage to the skin leads to melanin getting concentrated in one area. Pigmentation, especially the patchy kinds, is caused by hormonal imbalance. During pregnancy, many women get dark patches on their face and body due to increased hormone levels. In most cases, this kind of pigmentation subsides once the baby is born. However if the pigmentation persists even after delivery, it is important to check with a doctor. 

TACKLE IT: First and foremost you have to protect your skin from the sun, and then use products that have melanin inhibitors so that your skin can get even toned, advises Dr Belliappa BR, consultant dermatologist Apollo Hospital, Bengaluru. You have to protect your skin from the harmful rays as your first line of defence. You can use skin brightening creams which have sunscreen and melanin blockers. While the cosmetic products show results to a certain extent, for real effectiveness, try medicated anti-pigment lotions and creams as they have a higher ingredient potency. 

FIX IT: Besides using concealers and camouflage make-up, check with your doctor for the actual cause of pigmentation on your face. Belliappa says that laser treatments are a good option to wipe away patchy skin. He also suggests going for lightening peels which can help you deal with pigmentation to quite an extent. In case the pigmentation is very strong, check with your dermatologist for prescription pills.

HAIRY FACE, CHEST, NECK AND BACK

WHAT CAUSES IT: Hirsutism or excessive hair on your face, chest, neck and back is often caused by hormonal imbalance. Informs Soin, "Strong and excessive hair growth on the chest, back and neck could be indicative of a medical condition called idiopathic hirsutism. The excessive hair growth can also occur due to polycystic ovarian disease." 

TACKLE IT: The easiest way to tackle excessive hairiness, especially on your face, is to go for regular threading sessions. It can be a painful affair. If your hair quality is thin then you can also bleach the area. However Tolani suggests opting for laser hair removal for long-term results.

FIX IT: It is advisable that you seek the help of a doctor if the growth is dense or you notice a gradual increase in hair density. "In the case of idiopathic hirsutism, the treatment must aim to stop or at least slow down the formation of new terminal hair growth. Generally, the treatment procedure includes three steps, androgen suppression if it involves androgen excess problem; peripheral androgen blockade; and mechanical or cosmetic removal and destruction of unwanted hair," advises Soin.

CELLULITE OR ORANGE PEEL

WHAT CAUSES IT: Cellulite has very little to do with being thin or fat. Cellulite is the orange peel appearance of the skin on the thighs which has to do with hormonal, hereditary and postpartum causes.

TACKLE IT: The best plan to minimise the appearance of cellulite and stop its proliferation is to strengthen the fibres of the connective tissue so that no more fat can permeate into the dermis," says Soin. Some positive changes in lifestyle like a diet comprising salads and fruits over fried snacks, and keeping oneself well hydrated may also help to manage cellulite. "Regular exercises that help drain toxins from the body is also important in dealing with cellulite," adds Tolani.

FIX IT: While you cannot ever banish cellulite from your body, you can try cellulite treatments such as mesocellulite, LPG, Triactive laser and thermage. Both Soin and Tolani stress on the point that the anti-
cellulite treatments should be done by a trained person-the treatment can help reduce cellulite by about
20 per cent. Both the doctors also say that creams selling the anti-cellulite dream do not work because they cannot penetrate deep under the skin. "Because of its structure under our skin, cellulite can recur after treatment, and in most cases never go away," explains Soin. So stay informed and make the right
beauty choices.

Reproduced From Prevention. © 2012. LMIL. All rights reserved.


Source: Yahoo!

7 Worst Junk Foods Ever

All of us enjoy some sort of junk food.So yes, totally swearing-off junk food is probably impossible, but there are some items you should absolutely resist  because of the immense damage it can cause to your health. The list of worst junk food items includes:
1. Burgers

Burgers are the unquestioned king of worst junk food choices. Burgers combine everything we shouldn’t be eating. This means:
* Deep-fried patties that are heavy on trans fats, raising our cholesterol levels
* Sauces high in sugar and sodium
* Layers of cheese containing high amount of dairy fat
*Mayonnaise concentrated with preservatives and egg yolks



2. Candies

These are among the easily available but most sinful junk foods. For starters, candies are nothing but a concentrated form of sugar. Even those that claim to include some goodness of fruits are essentially just flavored forms of sugar. The high sucrose or fructose content ensures that you immediately get a sugar spike—this causes that typical feeling of goodness that makes candies admired by nearly everyone. Whether it is the lollipop, toffees or gummy bears, a couple of candies in any form, can spoil your entire day’s calorie control.

3. Sugary Cereals
These are sinful junk food items since they function under a false claim. Advertised as healthy breakfast cereal, cornflakes or other breakfast cereals coated with sugar aren't healthy. Having a bowl of plain oatmeal or porridge is better than having fruit loops that contains a high concentration of synthetic sugar—having high-sugar breakfast means being more prone to getting sugar cravings during the daytime.




4. French Fries and its Counterparts like Samosas
It is not just French fries but basically all deep fried snacks including the Indian favorites like samosas apart from eternal favorites like potato chips that are extremely detrimental to the health. These are supreme sources of cholesterol and Trans fats that work towards clogging the arteries. A single serving of French fries or a couple of samosas account for nearly 40% of your daily, recommended intake of fat. High in salt, many of these fried food items are accused of having carcinogenic properties. This means they are capable of causing cancer apart from making you prone to developing high blood pressure, obesity and cardiovascular problems! French fries and potato chips are loaded with Sodium that raises blood pressure. Many of the popular fast food chains have been found to serve fries that include Acrylimide—an established cancer-inducing entity.
5. Carbonated Beverages
Most carbonated drinks contain a very high concentration of synthetic sugar. A single, 300 ml serving of any popular cola-like beverage, equals your entire day’s quota of sugar. The ones sporting the sugar-free tag contain sweeteners like aspartame that are known to be harmful if consumed over a period. Aerated beverages tend to induce acidity and make us more prone to storing fat.





6. Ice-Creams
Ice creams make it to this list of all time worst junk foods simply because of their inherent nature where the creamier, sweeter versions are like more. A single serving of most retailed ice creams is known to contain more than 15 grams of fat along with high amounts of sugar. The cold nature of the ice creams ensure that the overall metabolism is impaired for a few hours while the high fat content makes a direct contribution to the waistline.





7. Creamy Cakes
Many people seem addicted to having cakes for desserts or whenever they are feeling low. However, the enticing slice of cake contains plenty of features that make it one of the worst junk foods ever. Firstly, cakes contain a highly processed, uncooked form of carbohydrate. This kind of white bread has a high glycemic index which in combination with the high amount of sugar ensures that the blood sugar levels are boosted instantly. The high chocolate content and eggs used for making the cream ensure that cakes are concentrated with harmful fats. An occasional slice of cake doesn’t do any harm but eating it every few days, is injurious to health.

Rather than vowing, never to eat such junk foods, try to reduce their intake over a period. This ensures you don’t suffer from withdrawal cravings. (Health, MensXP.com)


Source: Yahoo!