Summer foods you should never eat
Watermelon is doing you more harm than good
Charred Meat
Those crispy, blackened chicken bits are delicious — but also kind of dangerous. When you cook animal proteins over super-high heat — direct or indirect — that can heighten your risk of cancer when ingested.
PHOTO: bradleyhebdon
Hot Dogs
The World Health Organization claims processed meats are as bad for you as tobacco and asbestos. They've recognized a direct cause-and-effect relationship between colorectal cancer and food in sausage casing. A healthier option: .
PHOTO: Crystal Cartier
Frozen Cocktails
Frozen alcoholic drinks tend to be packed with unnatural forms of sugar, naturally sugary fruits and a lot of different mixers. Plus, you don't need a doctor to tell you that booze causes you to make bad decisions — including ones related to your diet.
Corn On The Cob
You're not a baby for wanting your corn shaved off the cob; you're a genius. Runaway kernels can cause gum inflammation and extra plaque — and the stuff that makes it down isn't all that good for you anyway. Corn is high in carbs and calories, without the benefits that other starchy vegetables have.
PHOTO: Claudia Totir
Seeded Watermelon
A fruit tree won't grow in your stomach if you swallow them, but that's not an excuse to do so. Watermelon seeds can obstruct your bowels, causing you to bloat. Spring for the seedless melons.
PHOTO: matka_Wariatka
Conventionally Grown Fruit
If you're not eating organic, you're likely introducing your body to harmful pesticides which are linked to weight gain and developmental issues in children. Frequent farmers markets and stores like Trader Joe's for the cheapest prices.
PHOTO: Luis Castaneda Inc.
Sugar-Free Ice Cream
The sweeteners used in many tubs — including sorbitol and xylitol — can pull water from your intestines ... aka give you diarrhea. They're also known to cause bloating and gas.
PHOTO: Halo Top
Iced Coffee
Coffee is a known diuretic, so if you're planning to spend the day at the beach or a water park, you might want to skip it. Nothing ruins a day out like constant trips to a bathroom.
PHOTO: Armstrong Studios
Oysters
Raw oysters are a host for food-borne illnesses including the potentially deadly vibriosis.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Alpha
Lobster Rolls
Seafood seems light and fresh, but seafood salads — like the stuff used in lobster rolls — are usually tossed in a lot of mayo, which is high in fat. Plus, those white bread rolls are made from bad-for-you unrefined carbs and typically slathered in butter.
Barbecue Sauce
Just two tablespoons of the stuff can pack nearly 100 calories, plus a lot of sugar and salt. Try a dry rub instead.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Good Dinner Mom
Macaroni Salad
Let's start with the noodles: They're usually made from refined carbohydrates (the ones that turn into sugar quickly). Then there is the sauce, which is almost always mayo-based (which mens full of fat). Last, there's the health concern: If this stuff sits out for too long, you're putting yourself at risk for a food-borne illness.
Potato Chips
They're dangerously easy to over-consume. Here's what you're loading up on when you do that: processed ingredients, a lot of oils and a ton of salt.
PHOTO: Ann, flickr
Frozen Yogurt
Any somewhat healthy stats about fro yo are totally negated by the toppings you put on, like cookie dough, brownie bits and pools of caramel sauce.
PHOTO: WIN-Initiative
Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar salad dressing is made with raw eggs, so when the stuff sits outside during a barbecue, it can be dangerous. On top of that, it's packed with unhealthy fats from all of the cheese and oils.
PHOTO: Thomas Firak Photography
Deli Meats
Two slices of processed ham or turkey can have more sodium than an entire bag of pretzels. They're also chock-full of unnatural ingredients that put you at a higher risk for certain diseases, including cancer.
PHOTO: Dennis Lane
Charred Meat
Those crispy, blackened chicken bits are delicious — but also kind of dangerous. When you cook animal proteins over super-high heat — direct or indirect — that can heighten your risk of cancer when ingested.
PHOTO: bradleyhebdon
Hot Dogs
The World Health Organization claims processed meats are as bad for you as tobacco and asbestos. They've recognized a direct cause-and-effect relationship between colorectal cancer and food in sausage casing. A healthier option: .
PHOTO: Crystal Cartier
Frozen Cocktails
Frozen alcoholic drinks tend to be packed with unnatural forms of sugar, naturally sugary fruits and a lot of different mixers. Plus, you don't need a doctor to tell you that booze causes you to make bad decisions — including ones related to your diet.
Corn On The Cob
You're not a baby for wanting your corn shaved off the cob; you're a genius. Runaway kernels can cause gum inflammation and extra plaque — and the stuff that makes it down isn't all that good for you anyway. Corn is high in carbs and calories, without the benefits that other starchy vegetables have.
PHOTO: Claudia Totir
Seeded Watermelon
A fruit tree won't grow in your stomach if you swallow them, but that's not an excuse to do so. Watermelon seeds can obstruct your bowels, causing you to bloat. Spring for the seedless melons.
PHOTO: matka_Wariatka
Conventionally Grown Fruit
If you're not eating organic, you're likely introducing your body to harmful pesticides which are linked to weight gain and developmental issues in children. Frequent farmers markets and stores like Trader Joe's for the cheapest prices.
PHOTO: Luis Castaneda Inc.
Sugar-Free Ice Cream
The sweeteners used in many tubs — including sorbitol and xylitol — can pull water from your intestines ... aka give you diarrhea. They're also known to cause bloating and gas.
PHOTO: Halo Top
Iced Coffee
Coffee is a known diuretic, so if you're planning to spend the day at the beach or a water park, you might want to skip it. Nothing ruins a day out like constant trips to a bathroom.
PHOTO: Armstrong Studios
Oysters
Raw oysters are a host for food-borne illnesses including the potentially deadly vibriosis.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Alpha
Lobster Rolls
Seafood seems light and fresh, but seafood salads — like the stuff used in lobster rolls — are usually tossed in a lot of mayo, which is high in fat. Plus, those white bread rolls are made from bad-for-you unrefined carbs and typically slathered in butter.
Barbecue Sauce
Just two tablespoons of the stuff can pack nearly 100 calories, plus a lot of sugar and salt. Try a dry rub instead.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Good Dinner Mom
Macaroni Salad
Let's start with the noodles: They're usually made from refined carbohydrates (the ones that turn into sugar quickly). Then there is the sauce, which is almost always mayo-based (which mens full of fat). Last, there's the health concern: If this stuff sits out for too long, you're putting yourself at risk for a food-borne illness.
Potato Chips
They're dangerously easy to over-consume. Here's what you're loading up on when you do that: processed ingredients, a lot of oils and a ton of salt.
PHOTO: Ann, flickr
Frozen Yogurt
Any somewhat healthy stats about fro yo are totally negated by the toppings you put on, like cookie dough, brownie bits and pools of caramel sauce.
PHOTO: WIN-Initiative
Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar salad dressing is made with raw eggs, so when the stuff sits outside during a barbecue, it can be dangerous. On top of that, it's packed with unhealthy fats from all of the cheese and oils.
PHOTO: Thomas Firak Photography
Deli Meats
Two slices of processed ham or turkey can have more sodium than an entire bag of pretzels. They're also chock-full of unnatural ingredients that put you at a higher risk for certain diseases, including cancer.
PHOTO: Dennis Lane
Charred Meat
Those crispy, blackened chicken bits are delicious — but also kind of dangerous. When you cook animal proteins over super-high heat — direct or indirect — that can heighten your risk of cancer when ingested.
PHOTO: bradleyhebdon
Hot Dogs
The World Health Organization claims processed meats are as bad for you as tobacco and asbestos. They've recognized a direct cause-and-effect relationship between colorectal cancer and food in sausage casing. A healthier option: .
PHOTO: Crystal Cartier
Frozen Cocktails
Frozen alcoholic drinks tend to be packed with unnatural forms of sugar, naturally sugary fruits and a lot of different mixers. Plus, you don't need a doctor to tell you that booze causes you to make bad decisions — including ones related to your diet.
Corn On The Cob
You're not a baby for wanting your corn shaved off the cob; you're a genius. Runaway kernels can cause gum inflammation and extra plaque — and the stuff that makes it down isn't all that good for you anyway. Corn is high in carbs and calories, without the benefits that other starchy vegetables have.
PHOTO: Claudia Totir
Seeded Watermelon
A fruit tree won't grow in your stomach if you swallow them, but that's not an excuse to do so. Watermelon seeds can obstruct your bowels, causing you to bloat. Spring for the seedless melons.
PHOTO: matka_Wariatka
Conventionally Grown Fruit
If you're not eating organic, you're likely introducing your body to harmful pesticides which are linked to weight gain and developmental issues in children. Frequent farmers markets and stores like Trader Joe's for the cheapest prices.
PHOTO: Luis Castaneda Inc.
Sugar-Free Ice Cream
The sweeteners used in many tubs — including sorbitol and xylitol — can pull water from your intestines ... aka give you diarrhea. They're also known to cause bloating and gas.
PHOTO: Halo Top
Iced Coffee
Coffee is a known diuretic, so if you're planning to spend the day at the beach or a water park, you might want to skip it. Nothing ruins a day out like constant trips to a bathroom.
PHOTO: Armstrong Studios
Oysters
Raw oysters are a host for food-borne illnesses including the potentially deadly vibriosis.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Alpha
Lobster Rolls
Seafood seems light and fresh, but seafood salads — like the stuff used in lobster rolls — are usually tossed in a lot of mayo, which is high in fat. Plus, those white bread rolls are made from bad-for-you unrefined carbs and typically slathered in butter.
Barbecue Sauce
Just two tablespoons of the stuff can pack nearly 100 calories, plus a lot of sugar and salt. Try a dry rub instead.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Good Dinner Mom
Macaroni Salad
Let's start with the noodles: They're usually made from refined carbohydrates (the ones that turn into sugar quickly). Then there is the sauce, which is almost always mayo-based (which mens full of fat). Last, there's the health concern: If this stuff sits out for too long, you're putting yourself at risk for a food-borne illness.
Potato Chips
They're dangerously easy to over-consume. Here's what you're loading up on when you do that: processed ingredients, a lot of oils and a ton of salt.
PHOTO: Ann, flickr
Frozen Yogurt
Any somewhat healthy stats about fro yo are totally negated by the toppings you put on, like cookie dough, brownie bits and pools of caramel sauce.
PHOTO: WIN-Initiative
Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar salad dressing is made with raw eggs, so when the stuff sits outside during a barbecue, it can be dangerous. On top of that, it's packed with unhealthy fats from all of the cheese and oils.
PHOTO: Thomas Firak Photography
Deli Meats
Two slices of processed ham or turkey can have more sodium than an entire bag of pretzels. They're also chock-full of unnatural ingredients that put you at a higher risk for certain diseases, including cancer.
PHOTO: Dennis Lane
Watermelon is doing you more harm than good
With summer in full swing, it may be tempting to get lax about your diet, or even worse, food safety rules. Before you binge on the chips and dips that have been sitting in the sun for just a bit too long, read this list to see what foods you should probably avoid this summer.