What is a trap food?
These are foods that you might think are healthy, even though they contain ingredients whose consumption must absolutely be limited. Some may contain large doses of sugars, salts, fats, or even additives, intended to improve the texture, taste and preservation of the product.
Among other issues, salt increases blood pressure, fats promote weight gain and cardiovascular disease, as does sugar, which can also cause cavities or diabetes. Some additives, meanwhile, are suspected of being carcinogenic.
How to avoid trap foods?
To avoid being exposed to potentially unhealthy foods, it is recommended to:
– Favor raw, unprocessed products.
– Read the ingredients of the dishes and products you buy.
It is advisable to favor articles with a short list of ingredients, composed of foods that we could find in our cupboards. It is better to limit additives as much as possible (preservatives, colorants, thickeners, etc.), easily recognizable because their reference begins with the letter E.
The products containing the mention “light” are also to be monitored, because manufacturers often make up for the missing element with another ingredient, which is not always good for the health. Sugar is, for example, often substituted by sweeteners.
– Cook as many of your own dishes as possible.
It’s the best way to make sure what you put on your plate. However, you can quickly run out of time. This is why you should not hesitate to prepare your meals in large proportions, which you can then freeze or can. You can also practice the method of batch-cooking, which consists of devoting a single moment in the week to preparing meals. Select the method that seems easiest to you!
What about the nutri-score? This indication allows you to assess the nutritional qualities of foods. However, it does not take into account certain elements such as pesticides, additives, or even the level of processing of the product in question. The nutri-score is therefore an interesting tool, but it does not replace reading the list of ingredients.
Health passes on the plate, and therefore by the selection of the products that we eat. Many manufacturers add elements to improve the taste, texture or preservation of food. However, when consumed in large quantities, they can become harmful to health. This slideshow presents 9 food traps to consume in moderation.
Sources:
- Eat Move, Learn about the products you buy
- handles, Reduce exposure to nitrites and nitrates in the diet07/12/2022
