Beware of Food Side Effects
> Foods that Affect "Appearance"
Just like even the best medicine has certain side effects, many nutritious and health-beneficial foods can also produce some "side effects" if not consumed correctly.
> Worsening Body Odor: Meat, Curry, Garlic, Onions
Research shows that people who eat a lot of meat tend to have stronger body odor. The metabolic byproducts of foods like fish, onions, garlic, fennel, and curry can also make body odor more pronounced.
★ For fresh breath, it's best to eat more alkaline foods like vegetables and fruits.
> Causing Bloating: Chicken Essence, Fermented Tofu, Soy Sauce, Pickled Vegetables
Too much salt intake can lead to bloating. If you consume excessive salt over a long period, you might find yourself looking a bit puffier.
★ Coix seed, red beans, and winter melon are all diuretic foods that help reduce swelling. Additionally, many food packages do not list the salt content, but if they list the sodium content, 1 gram of sodium is equivalent to 2.5 grams of salt.
> Triggering Acne: Fried Foods, Instant Noodles, Flaky Pastries
Overindulging in high-fat foods like fried chicken thighs and scallion pancakes can leave your face looking oily the next day? If you eat them for a week straight, acne will likely appear.
Foods high in trans fatty acids, such as cream cakes and flaky pastries, can also easily cause breakouts.
★ People with oily skin should少吃 greasy foods and eat more fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in Vitamin A like spinach, carrots, and pumpkin.
> Foods that Cause Minor Troubles
> Triggering Migraines: Alcohol, Coffee, Chocolate, Ham, Luncheon Meat
Foods that can trigger migraines include alcohol; caffeinated foods like coffee, chocolate, tea, and cola; and processed meats containing nitrites, such as ham and luncheon meat.
★ Eating more magnesium-rich foods, like spinach, beans, and almonds, can help alleviate headaches.
> Causing Acid Reflux and Heartburn: Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Radishes, Garlic
Starchy foods are hard to digest and can stimulate excessive stomach acid secretion. Spicy foods like radishes, garlic, and onions can also irritate the stomach lining, causing it to produce large amounts of stomach acid.
★ Once you feel acid reflux or heartburn, drinking juice, soup, or tea will only make the situation worse. Drinking plenty of water can help dilute the stomach acid.
> Causing Allergies: Milk, Eggs, Seafood, Peanuts, Shellfish
High-protein foods are more nutritious, but some proteins are also a primary cause of allergies. For Asians, the five most common allergenic foods are eggs, dairy products, kidney beans, bananas, and sesame.
★ People with allergies should be cautious when consuming the foods listed above.