When a food is deemed healthy, we tend to stock up on it because, hey, it’s healthy, right? If a food is healthy, it’s good for you to eat it, but you still need to be mindful as to not overeat as they can then end up being quite unhealthy.
A healthy diet consists of eating a variety of different colored foods, as that way, you can ensure you are getting all adequate nutrients. When you stick to one or just a couple of foods, you put yourself at risk for nutritional deficiencies or even over consumption of certain nutrients.
Some foods, although healthy, should not be consumed in excess for a variety of reasons. The following six foods are just some that you should consume in moderation or else you may experience adverse effects as a result.
6 foods you should never overeat
Smoked salmon: Salmon, overall, is considered a good source of protein and a healthy food choice. Smoked salmon is a delicious type of salmon that can be enjoyed on its own or with other ingredients. The problem is that when salmon is smoked, it generates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can increase a person’s risk of cancer. Experts recommend not consuming smoked salmon more than twice a week. In the meantime, you can enjoy salmon many other ways including poached, braised, baked, or even grilled.
Kombucha: Kombucha has risen in popularity as a health drink because it provides gut-healthy probiotics. But instead of consuming it daily as your go-to beverage, experts suggest only enjoying it as a treat. Drinking too much kombucha can result in heartburn. Furthermore, the beverage exposes your teeth to sugar, which can contribute to cavities. If you have a compromised immune system already, the bacteria in kombucha can actually contribute to illness.
Tuna: Another fish that is generally seen as a healthy alternative to red meat, although you still need to approach it with some caution. Although tuna is high in magnesium, zinc, iron, and calcium, it also comes loaded with a high mercury count and should not be consumed daily, especially if you are pregnant or nursing. Mercury poisoning can result in changes in vision and muscle weakness.
Coconut oil: It seems like everywhere you turn, someone is raving about coconut oil, but this oil is packed with saturated fat. It also does contain some components that can lower cholesterol, but to be on the safe side, avoid consuming coconut oil daily. Furthermore, coconut oil is very dense in calories, so be mindful of your portion size—a little bit goes a long way.
Canned soup: Sometimes we are in a hurry and just don’t have time to prepare a fresh soup, so instead, we opt for the canned variety. Unfortunately, these canned soups tend to be quite high in sodium. Packaged foods are known to be the highest in salt, which is a big contributor to high blood pressure. Make sure you are reading labels to find lower sodium contents or make your own soup in large batches and freeze it so you always have soup on hand.
Grilled meat: Cooking meat at high temperatures, like what is done when grilling, can create cancer-causing compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs). It is recommended that you don’t use grilling as your go-to cooking method and space out BBQ sessions to reduce your intake of HCAs. Lastly, ensure you aren’t burning or charring the meat, as this has been known to be cancer-causing too.