text: We’ve all heard the adage, “Everything in moderation.” But according to leading health expert Dr. Ellen Kamhi — also known as “The Natural Nurse” — certain foods should be shunned entirely.
  “Four out of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States are related to diet,” she says. “These are diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. If you want to reduce your risk of these conditions, and stave off obesity, cutting back on these six foods is a great place to start.”
  - Soda. Studies have shown that the more sugar-sweetened drinks people consume, the higher their risk of death. “The optimal intake of sugary drinks is zero,” says Vasanti S. Malik, a research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “They have no health benefits.”
  Soda consumption nearly doubles the risk of cavities in children and increases the risk in adults. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) labels soft drinks as “liquid candy.”
  - Potato chips and french fries. Because they are processed at such high temperatures, these popular snack foods contain a known carcinogen and neurotoxin. According to Clark University Professor Dale Hattis, this compound — called acrylamide — is responsible for several thousand cancers each year.
  Potato chips and french fries are also chock full of trans fats, the artery-clogging kind of fat that’s linked to increased risk of stroke, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
  - Doughnuts. “When it comes to health, the only thing good about them is the hole,” quips Carla Wolper, a nutritionist at the New York Obesity Research Center. Dissect a doughnut and you’ll find refined sugar and flour, trans fats, and no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
  - Coffee cake and baked goods. Commercially baked goods typically contain more trans fats than any other food, says Kamhi. “That’s because they are often made with hydrogenated oils — and fried in them, too.” This applies to packaged cake and biscuit mixes as well.
  - Lunch meats. They may be convenient, but according to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) processed meats that are preserved by smoking, curing, salting, or by the addition of preservatives (ham, hot dogs, salami, etc.) increase your risk of cancer.
  In fact, just a 3.5-ounce daily serving is associated with a 36% higher risk of colorectal cancer.
  - Canned soup. Traditional canned soup that’s found in supermarkets has high levels of sodium, trans fats, and artificial preservatives such as MSG. “Just one cup of canned soup can have almost 1,000 milligrams of salt — and most people eat more than just one cup,” notes Kamhi. Recommended dietary guidelines call for no more than 2,400 milligrams of sodium daily.
  There are many healthier, organic options available so be sure to read labels. “Another alternative is to make your own homemade soup,” notes the expert.
  By Lynn Allison, Newsmax