The refrigerator is an important appliance in any household as it helps to keep food fresh and safe for consumption. However, there are certain foods that should not be stored in the refrigerator as they can either go bad or lose their nutritional value. In this article, Dr. Gundry explained the foods that you need to throw out of your refrigerator as soon as possible.
Understand the Importance of Discarding These 8 Foods from Your Refrigerator
#1: Sugar Laden Condiments
Ketchup, tomato sauces, and salad dressings are some of the condiments that are high in sugar and should not be stored in the refrigerator. These Sugar-laden condiments are often used to add flavor and moisture to foods, but they can also add unwanted sugar and calories to your diet.
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that our bodies use for energy. It is found naturally in many foods like fruits and vegetables, but it is also added to many processed foods like condiments, soft drinks, and baked goods. When we eat sugary foods, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good. This release of dopamine creates a pleasurable sensation, which can lead to cravings and addiction.
Sugar is known to be addictive and has been linked to various health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. These health issues can be prevented by reducing the amount of sugar in your diet. However, it can be challenging to identify the sugar content in condiments, as it is often listed under different names like high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or glucose.
#2: Cow's Milk and Cow's Cheese
Cow's milk, cow's cheese, and yogurt from the United States are not suitable for human consumption and should not be stored in the refrigerator because they contain insulin-like growth factor (IGF). IGF is present in these products because it is designed to make baby calves grow rapidly, which is not necessary for humans. Additionally, American cows are generally casein A1 cows, which is a lectin-like protein that has been associated with leaky gut and damage to the pancreas.
However, there are alternatives to cow's milk such as A2 milk, which is a healthier alternative. Similarly, for cheese and yogurt, there are A2 milk cheeses available that come from France, Italy, and Switzerland. Goat and sheep cheeses and yogurts are also healthier alternatives as they contain MCT oils, which are beneficial for health. Buffalo milk cheeses and yogurts are also suitable alternatives, as they are good sources of MCTs.
#3: Bagged Salads
Dr. Gundry explains the potential dangers of bagged salads, which are commonly viewed as a convenient and healthy way to consume vegetables. However, bagged salads are often stored in plastic containers that contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can be harmful to human health. Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with the endocrine system, the system responsible for producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions. Exposure to endocrine disruptors can lead to a range of health problems, including developmental disorders, reproductive problems, and certain types of cancer.
To avoid exposure to these harmful chemicals, individuals can choose to buy fresh vegetables instead of pre-packaged salads. Additionally, using glass or stainless steel containers for food storage can also help reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors. Furthermore, making homemade dressings instead of using store-bought dressings is a healthier option as many commercial dressings are high in sugar and other unhealthy additives. Some recommended salad dressings include those made by Primal plants or Bragg's, or homemade dressings made with ingredients such as mustard, vinegar, and olive oil.
#4: The Problem with Fruit Juices
Dr. Gundry highlights the issue with fruit juices marketed as a healthy drink option. Most fruit juices contain a high amount of sugar and very little nutritional value, which can have negative impacts on our health. For example, a glass of orange juice can paralyze white blood cells for six hours, leaving us more vulnerable to illness. Instead, the author suggests opting for healthier juice options such as essential orange, vital reds, or power blues.
The author further explains that we love sugar because way back, the only source of sugar was fruit, and fruit was only available during a short season. Therefore, we would try to get as much fruit as possible, and honey, to fatten up for the lean season. However, the problem is that we still love sugar, even though it is no longer a scarce resource, and marketers know this fact.
To reduce our sugar intake, the author advises us to check the total carbohydrate content of a product, not just the sugar content or added sugars, and to beware of the serving size. The companies often know that the serving size has nothing to do with how much of it we will use, so they'll list a tiny serving size to make their product appear healthier than it is. Making our own salad dressings is also recommended. Additionally, we should be careful about most tomato sauces, as they contain sugar. By law, tomato sauces from Italy have to be made from peeled and deseeded tomatoes.
#5: Flavored Coffee Creamers
Dr. Gundry warns against using flavored coffee creamers that contain emulsifiers, omega-6 fats, and pea protein that can damage gut health or cause sensitivities in people with autoimmune diseases. Instead, the advice is to use Stevia-based sweeteners or allulose and MCT-based creamers.
Flavored coffee creamers are a popular addition to coffee, but they are often loaded with additives that are harmful to gut health. Emulsifiers are added to help the creamer mix with coffee, but they can disrupt the gut microbiome and increase inflammation. Omega-6 fats, which are abundant in vegetable oils, are pro-inflammatory and can damage gut health when consumed in excess. Additionally, some creamers contain pea protein, which can cause sensitivities in people with autoimmune diseases.
Stevia-based sweeteners are a natural alternative to sugar that do not cause spikes in blood sugar levels. Allulose is another low-calorie sweetener that has a similar taste to sugar but does not raise blood glucose levels. MCT-based creamers, on the other hand, contain medium-chain triglycerides, which are a type of healthy fat that can promote weight loss and improve gut health.
#6: Margarine
In the past, margarine was marketed as a healthy alternative to butter due to its high polyunsaturated fat content. However, studies have shown that polyunsaturated omega-6 fat, such as linoleic acid, can be dangerous to your health. Instead, use healthier options such as grass-fed butter or ghee.
#7: Deli Meats
Deli meats are one of the most commonly consumed foods that are loaded with gluten, and sadly, it doesn't have to appear on the label. Additionally, these processed meats are associated with developing heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. The Wall Street Journal even published an article highlighting the dangers of sandwiches stuffed with deli meats. So, what can you do? Swap for Italian prosciutto, Iberico ham from Spain, and true fermented sausages from Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain. True fermented sausages are remarkably safe and beneficial for your health, as Andorran people, who eat sausage every day, have an average lifespan of 89.7 years.
#8: Grapes
Grapes are engineered to be sugar bombs, and one cup of grapes has the same amount of sugar as a Hershey's candy bar. They are addictive and can cause metabolic inflexibility, high triglycerides, diabetes, and other health issues. Therefore, it's essential to remove grapes from your refrigerator and replace them with healthy alternatives like berries or citrus fruits.
The Bottom Line
The foods mentioned in this article should be removed from your refrigerator to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Sugar-laden condiments, cow's milk and cheese, bagged salads, fruit juices, flavored coffee creamers, margarine, deli meats, and grapes can all have negative impacts on your health. However, by making some simple changes, such as opting for healthier alternatives, you can significantly improve your diet and reduce the risk of developing various health problems. It's essential to prioritize your health by being mindful of what you consume and making informed decisions about the foods you keep in your refrigerator.