People who eat most of their meals at home can take great pride in the fact that they do not eat unhealthy fast food or other junk food that can be purchased “here” and “there.” However, can you guarantee that everything in your kitchen, including the foods you make yourself, is completely free of any potential health hazards? Maybe not.
The preparation of a wide variety of foods requires a lot of different ingredients, all of which we always have on hand because we consider them essential. This is yet another reason to reconsider your use of them, which is especially important if you use them excessively.
Have a look at the following list
Sugar
Nearly every home has a container stocked with sugar crystals that are pure white in colour. This delicious sugar can be found in spoonfuls of various recipes, including tea, coffee, milkshakes, and others. On the other hand, the consumption of an excessive amount of added sugar has been linked to an increase in blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. In addition, each of these conditions raises the likelihood that you will suffer a stroke or develop heart disease.
Refined Flour
The powdered form of refined flour, which is also referred to as maida, can be found in your kitchen. Additionally, refined flour can be found in the powdered form of baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, cereal, bread, and pasta. Consuming an excessive amount of refined flour has been associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic issues, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. The process of refining also results in a significant loss of dietary fibre, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and vitamin E. This is an additional drawback of the process.
Salt
The consumption of an excessive amount of salt is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. According to the World Health Organization, most people eat too much salt — on average, 9–12 grams per day, which is approximately twice as much as the maximum level recommended for intake. Reduced sodium intake has the potential to avert numerous deaths.
Oil
On your gas stove, do you keep a kadhai full of oil all the time or only every other day? Do the members of your household enjoy eating pakoras, fried onion rings, French fries, frozen foods, and other similar foods? If you and your family have an answer to each of these questions that is “yes,” then you and they are putting themselves at an increased risk of having a heart attack, stroke, breast or ovarian cancer, diabetes, hypertension, unhealthy weight gain, and joint pain, among other health problems.
In The Nutshell
The point is not to give up eating oil, salt, or any other food item for that matter. Instead, the most important thing is to concentrate on finding healthier alternatives and to eat these foods only in small amounts. Replace refined flour, for instance, with other kinds of flour that are healthier and higher in fibre content, such as ragi or whole wheat. Jaggery is a great substitute for sugar to use. These relatively minor adjustments could have a significant positive impact on your health and the health of your family members.