According to a Statista 2020 poll, 85% of the American population eats potato chips. Combine that with the fact that French fries are the best selling snack in the country, earning more than $ 7 billion in a year, to say that this fried food is popular would be an understatement.
They may be popular, but they are not good for you. In fact, fries are first on the list of the 7 foods most likely to make you gain weight, according to a study published in The new English medical journal.
With a significant majority of the country indulging in these fried, fatty and salty foods on a regular basis, it is highly likely that a good portion of people are eating a lot of chips. But how can you count?
You are eating a lot of potato chips if you feel constantly bloated and bloated.
Liz Lehman, MD, a certified and licensed anesthesiologist and founder of Aluminate Life, tells us that “The number one sign that you’re eating too many chips is feeling bloated and bloated– especially your hands, feet and lips. This is due to water retention due to excess salt. “
You may also feel bloated and bloated due to weight gain caused by eating too many high-calorie chips. “The size of the potato chip bags is getting bigger and bigger. Manufacturers know it’s hard to stop eating chips when you start. The more high-fat snacks you eat, the more you’ll want” and the more weight you can win, says Leann Poston, MD, MBA, MEd, a doctor at Invigor Medical.
First, what do you consider “many”?
More than one serving a day is too much, says Dr. Lehman. One serving is 1 ounce or 18 chips.
But even eating a serving of potato chips a day is a lot. Alexis Parcells, MD, a certified plastic surgeon and owner of Parcells Plastic Surgery says you should really limit your consumption of chips to no more than the palm of your hand.
“Most traditional French fries are seasoned with a lot of salt and oil. Like any junk food, they can be tolerated in small doses (to fill the palm of your hand). Larger doses are proven to be harmful to health and take quickly to weight gain, “says Dr. Parcells.
Why French fries can make you feel bloated and bloated.
Dr. Lehman tells us that most symptoms of excessive consumption of potato chips are mainly related to excessive sodium intake. The recommended sodium intake is less than 2,300 milligrams a day, but most Americans consume more than 3,200 milligrams a day, says Lehman.
One serving of French fries is equivalent to 30 grams, but the French fries are often packaged in packs of one serving of 60 grams. Because who can resist opening a bag of chips and not finishing it, it can take up to 660 milligrams of sodium if you clean the whole bag – that’s 29% of your recommended daily intake! Flavored bags, like barbecue, sour cream or salt and vinegar, are some of the worst offenders. (See: The most unhealthy fries on the planet)
There is also a more subtle and nefarious reason why fries can make you feel bloated and bloated: inflammation.
“French fries are made with refined oils and processed carbohydrates, which are highly inflammatory. Refined oils are a class of omega-6 oils, which are inflammatory, especially when there is an imbalance of omega-3 anti-inflammatory fats. This leads to inflammation and pain throughout the body, along with brain fog, fatigue and weight gain, “says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD a registered nutritionist with Balance One supplements. (Related: 14 inflammatory foods that cause weight gain)
There are also some long-term problems associated with eating too many chips.
Most of the dangerous side effects of eating too many fries will be felt in the long run, and it would be difficult to pinpoint the fries as the only culprits. However, if you know that you are eating potato chips every day, it is more than likely that they are playing a role.
One of the worst side effects of eating a lot of chips is also incredibly difficult to detect: high blood pressure.
“French fries generally have between 120 and 180 milligrams of sodium per ounce. In the long run, this can cause high blood pressure. Unfortunately, most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms associated with it, and this can be dangerous as it may not be diagnosed and treated properly. If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause stroke, heart failure, coronary and kidney disease, “says Dr. Parcells.
Other long-term side effects of eating lots of potato chips are weight gain, difficulty sleeping, dry skin, kidney disease, headaches and inflammation.
Does that mean I shouldn’t eat chips?
In fact, potatoes are decently healthy. (Yes, although they are “white” and have traditionally been associated with health-damaging carbohydrates.) Most of the time, potatoes have a bad reputation because we usually consume them as fried foods, such as French fries or chips.
In reality, potatoes are an affordable carbohydrate and a surprisingly good source of potassium (13% DV – that’s more than a banana!) And vitamin C (23% DV) when eaten with the skin.
Potato chips on the other hand, they are a different story.
“In general, French fries are not a healthy food. They have low nutritional value, high sodium content (which can affect blood pressure) and often contain pro-inflammatory ingredients – such as highly processed vegetable oils – that can take to the development of health disorders and diseases “, says Sheri Vettel, RD, a registered dietitian at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
But you can’t really blame the chips for all your health problems.
“Apart from the extreme circumstances (like a diet based mainly on fries!), It is difficult to look at the consumption of fries in isolation without considering the overall quality of someone’s diet as a whole,” says Vettel
“For example, if someone really likes chips and has a diet mainly of whole foods full of high quality and nutrient-rich foods, the negative health impact is less when eating chips occasionally. For those who eat the Diet Standard American (or SAD diet) eating French fries, even occasionally, is decreasing the chance of eating more nutrient-rich foods, “adds Vettel.
To determine whether you need to reduce your consumption of chips, Vettel encourages your body to reflect and listen. Think about healthier snack alternatives, reflect on how you feel physically and emotionally after eating potato chips and think if you have any health problems (like high blood pressure) that may require you to reevaluate your potato consumption.
What are some healthy alternatives to potato chips?
If you’re eating a lot of chips, consider snacking on a substitute: “Alternatives to standard chips include roasted vegetable chips, apple chips and popped popcorn. These snacks tend to have less salt, calories and fat than fried chips and also provide fiber, “says Dr. Parcells.
You don’t even need a 1: 1 substitute for French fries to improve your health. Instead, you can simply focus on adding more healthy foods to your diet that will “exclude” fries:
“By adding healthier foods to your diet, you will gently eliminate choices that are not the best for you. This concept of exclusion can help you create a healthier relationship with food in general, but especially around foods that are not as nutrient-dense, “recommends Vettel, who notes that working with a Health Coach is a great way to make it clear how your food choices make you feel.
To learn more about these salty and fatty foods, don’t miss the ugly side effects of eating potato chips, according to Science.
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