An ice-cold glass of OJ in the morning is a healthy way to start the day, right? Maybe not, according to research that suggests that just one glass of orange juice a day could significantly increase your risk of developing diabetes.
Fruit juices may be regarded by some as a great-tasting way to give your body an instant shot of vitamin-C, but it is thought that the drinks may cause dangerous spikes in blood sugar levels and raise diabetes risk by up to a quarter.
Breakfast cereals
Many popular brands of breakfast cereal contain high levels of unpleasant secret ingredients such as saturated fat, salt and sugar. A Which? survey in 2006 found that tucking into a bowl of cereal in the morning could mean breakfasting on as much sugar and salt as you would find in a packet of crisps or bar of chocolate.
Which? looked at 275 cereals from a range of food manufacturers and found that even so-called ‘healthy’ brands often contained high levels of these unwanted substances. More than 75% of cereals had high levels of sugar, 20% high levels of salt and 7% high levels of saturated fat. Standards have since improved slightly since, but always check the label before you buy.
Fish
Fish should forever play a part in your healthy, balanced diet, but be wary of certain types of fish which contain high levels of mercury. Tuna, swordfish and marlin are the main types to look out for, and experts recommend that people eat no more than one portion of any of these fish a week.
Diet Coke
Diet Coca Cola may be low in fat and sugar, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for you. It might be the fourth most consumed fizzy drink in the world, but it also (according to the US Food and Drug Association) contains a number of dodgy ingredients such as the infamous sweetener aspartame, which has been linked with headaches, mood swings, nausea, memory loss, blurred vision and fatigue. Best to steer well clear, then.