Have you been experiencing unexplained pain in your bones lately? Is it a stiff neck or excruciating pain in your knees, perhaps? Well, then this could be a sign of weakened bones. During such times, we often rely on pain-relieving pills and sprays, thinking they'll cure our problem. Sure, they might provide you relief for some time, but after a while, you'll notice the pain recurring again. Now, you must be wondering: what could be the cause? There could be several reasons for it, but something that most of us often do not pay attention to is the type of food that we include in our diet. We don't realize it, but it actually plays a significant role in maintaining healthy bones. Here are some foods you should avoid to boost bone health:
Also Read: For Better Bone Strength, Include These 7 Fruits And Vegetables In Your Diet
Here Are 5 Foods And Drinks To Avoid For Healthy Bones:
1. French Fries
Who doesn't love French fries? They are our go-to snack whenever we feel like treating ourselves to something indulgent, and it's impossible to stop at just one. As delicious as they taste, sadly, they contain high amounts of sodium, making them harmful to our bone health. Excessive sodium intake can weaken the calcium content of our bones, making them weak. You must also avoid other salty foods such as potato chips, burgers, pizza, or any other fast food.
2. Carbonated Drinks
Isn't it extremely satisfying when you take that first sip of your favourite carbonated beverage? But if you want to keep your bones healthy, it's time to say goodbye to these fizzy drinks. They are loaded with ample amounts of sugar and can adversely affect bone development or lead to calcium loss. Sipping on these drinks will also impact your oral health, leading to several tooth-related problems.
3. Caffeine
Beverages such as tea and coffee are something that we drink daily, but it's important to be mindful of the amount you consume in a day. If you're guilty of drinking too much caffeine, it's time to stop, as it can weaken your bones. Several studies show that excessive caffeine consumption can affect bone density. So, if you want to keep your bones healthy, you must reduce your intake.
4. Animal Protein
Now, this may come as a shocker, but having too much animal protein can be detrimental to bone health too. It's true that animal proteins such as dairy products, fish, and chicken are excellent sources of protein. But moderation is key here, as too much of anything has never been good for us. Excessive protein intake can lead to urinary loss of minerals.
5. Chocolates And Candies
As much as we love treating ourselves to chocolate and candies, they are quite harmful to our bones. Since they are high in sugar, they naturally increase the glucose level in our blood. And this directly impacts our bone quality and density. It can also inhibit your body from absorbing calcium. Apart from the above-mentioned sugary delights, you must also avoid ice cream, cakes, brownies, or anything that falls under the dessert category.
Also Read: Vitamin C Benefits: Load Up On These Foods For Healthy And Strong Bones
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What Types Of Food To Eat To Maintain Healthy Bones?
After getting insight into the types of foods to avoid, the next question that immediately comes to mind is: what to eat to maintain healthy bones? We're here to help you with this. You must include all sorts of dairy products in your diet, but as mentioned above, moderation is key here. Apart from this, try to include as many green leafy vegetables and nuts as possible in your diet. Tofu and soybeans are also excellent options for boosting bone health. Click here to learn more about calcium-rich foods you must include in your diet.
Now that you know about these foods, take the necessary steps to boost your bone health. However, it's important to consult your doctor or nutritionist before making any significant changes to your diet. Stay fit and healthy!