America is a melting pot of cultural diversity and this shines through in its food culture, which is defined by iconic dishes such as the traditional burger, corn dogs, and buffalo wings, to name a few. However, as obesity rates soar across the nation, eating habits have come to the forefront, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted.
Healthy eating can be trickier than it appears and the plot thickens when it comes to old time favorites, so what are the healthiest and least healthy foods that are most popular with Americans? WebMD did a little investigating and came up with the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Most Popular Healthy Foods
1. Turkey Sandwich. Made with wholegrain bread, which regulates blood sugar, and low-fat, high-protein meat, this is already a winner. Now add lettuce, tomato, and skip the mayo and you have a healthy meal.
2. Popcorn. Swap the potato chips for a cup of popcorn and your body will thank you. This low-fat snack is high in fiber and contains antioxidants that can safeguard your body against disease. Just skip the butter.
3. Spaghetti Marinara. Pasta has a bad reputation but despite popular belief, tomato-based dishes can actually be healthy. Spaghetti Marinara is a case in point. Pasta can keep you fuller for longer and the tomatoes in the sauce are packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
4. Caesar Salad. Salad does not have to be boring to be healthy. A Caesar salad contains eggs, which are rich in vitamin D and amino acids, while lettuce is high in vitamin B, iron, and potassium.
Most Popular Unhealthy Foods
1. Bacon Cheeseburger. Beef, bacon, and cheese are unhealthy food choices on their own, so combine them into one burger and you have a high fat, high calorie meal that can only wreak havoc on your health and cholesterol.
2. Potato Chips. That small bag of crisps might not seem sinister, but it can cause more harm to your health than you realize — especially if you snack on potato chips regularly. They are high in saturated fats, loaded with salt and sugar, as well as other chemicals and can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol, and various other health conditions.
3. Philly Cheese Steak. This steak and cheese sandwich is loaded with saturated fat. Add fries and a soda to the combo and you have already probably reached your daily calorie limit. Indulge in this meal regularly and you are setting yourself up for serious health risks.
4. Nachos. Nachos are another unassuming dish, probably because they are more of a snack than a meal. What you do not realize is every bite is a step closer to weight gain. The tortilla chips alone are an unhealthy food choice. Deep fried in fat and loaded with salt, sugar, and chemicals, they are a not-so-innocent snack. Now add high-fat meat and cheese to the equation along with sauces packed in salt, sugar, and calories and you have one unhealthy dish.
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