15+ Foods You Should Never Eat After Age 50

It tastes oh-so-good, but it's oh-so-bad for your health! This is especially true once you're over the age of 50, with the high quantities of salt and fat wreaking havoc on your body. Eating bacon in excess increases your risk of nasty health conditions like stroke, heart disease, and even cancer.

You might want to think twice the next time you're about to pour yourself a stiff drink - alcohol affects you differently as you age. Drinking in excess can worsen age-specific health conditions such as osteoporosis and high blood pressure, as well as interfering with any medications you might be taking.

Eating too much butter once you've hit a certain age will put you at a higher risk of heart disease - the number one killer in the US. Once you're above 50, your heart walls begin to thicken, and excess saturated fat from butter can contribute to high cholesterol, clogged arteries, and increased strain on your heart.

If you think that swapping out butter for margarine is the healthier option, think again. Some margarines are packed with trans fats, a compound that raises LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Eat too much of the gold stuff and you increase your risk of heart disease.

While you want to ensure that you get your daily serving of fruits and veggies, you also need to avoid any fruits that are laden with sugar. Cherries, in particular, contain high levels of natural sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and blood sugar spikes if consumed in excess.

Chicken is a great source of protein, ensuring that your muscles remain in tip-top shape. Chicken skin, while delicious, is high in saturated fat and calories, leading to weight gain and an increased risk of heart disease. If you want to be healthy, it's best to remove the skin and instead feast on lean cuts.

If there's one food group you want to avoid once you turn 50, it's cured meats. While tasty, they're laden with salt, fat, and chemical preservatives, putting you at a higher risk of cancer. Swap out these salty snacks for skinless chicken - it tastes just as good, but it's much healthier for your body!

Grapefruit can be beneficial for your health - it's filled with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. However, the bitter fruits are known to cause problems for people who take medications to manage blood pressure or cholesterol. In some cases, this can lead to unexpected side effects or reduce the effectiveness of your medication.

Any veg is good for you, right? Well, not quite. While frozen or canned vegetables are convenient - requiring far less trips to the grocery store - they're often laden with sodium, serving as a preservative. Instead, stick to fresh veggies. They might not last as long, but they're much better for your body.

Put down that cup of joe - it could lead to wrinkles! Drinking coffee in excess will eventually lead to skin dehydration and a dull complexion - the perfect breeding ground for age lines. However, coffee also features antioxidant properties, meaning that it's best to enjoy the bitter stuff in moderation.

If you're a fish lover, then make sure to be on the lookout for fish that are high in mercury, like shark or swordfish. Studies have shown that regularly eating high-mercury fish can increase the risk of memory issues by 30%. Instead, stick to salmon, tuna, or cod for a safer seafood meal.

If you think that pickles are a healthy snack, think again. One single pickle is loaded with 1,000 milligrams of sodium - something that you certainly want to avoid once you're over 50. Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, increase your risk of heart disease, and put a strain on your kidneys.

As we get older, our immune systems aren't quite as strong, making us more susceptible to foodborne illnesses. This means that you need to be extra careful when it comes to foods like sushi, runny eggs, or rare meats. Consider cooked sushi rolls or hard-boiled eggs to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria.

Many people swap sugar for artificial sweeteners, thinking they're a much healthier option. However, these sugar-free alternatives can disrupt metabolism and interfere with your gut health, so it's best to give them a wide berth. Some studies even suggest that they increase your cravings for sweet foods! Instead, choose natural options like honey or stevia.

If there's one type of bread you want to avoid, it's white bread. It's highly unhealthy, made from low-quality carbs that can lead to blood sugar spikes. These rapid fluctuations can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and heart disease. Instead, opt for whole grain or whole wheat bread for a healthier alternative.

As we age, our energy levels tend to deplete. It can then become all-too-tempting to munch on ready meals, foods that you pop in the microwave, ready to eat within mere minutes. However, this convenience comes at a cost: they're extremely high in sodium, which can wreak havoc on your health.

These are fine to have every now and then, but when you use them as a replacement for their whole counterparts, it becomes an issue. While drinking a tall glass of OJ will boost your vitamin C levels, you'll miss out on all the beneficial fiber found in the actual fruit.

Our bodies become less efficient at processing sugar as we age, which is why it's best to avoid it wherever possible - especially when it comes to sauces and syrups. Try using herbs and spices as a way to flavor your food without pumping your bloodstream full of unnecessary sugars.

You probably don't consider canned soup to be an unhealthy food, but you would if you read the label! Canned soups are often high in sodium, something your body struggles to process as you get older. Instead, make a soup from scratch, blending whole ingredients to control the sodium content while ensuring your meal is packed with goodness.

Many snack bars are marketed as being healthy, but this isn't always the case. In fact, they're often high in sugar and fat - two things you absolutely want to avoid after 50! Stay on the safe side and read the ingredients, avoiding any bars that contain an excess of sugar.

Who doesn't love good a barbecue? There's just something about meat that's been cooked on the grill that tastes deliciously moreish. However, cooking meat at very high temperatures can release harmful chemicals called heterocyclic amines, which can be carcinogenic. In short, eating too much barbecued food can lead to cancer!

While limiting dairy can be beneficial for your health, not getting enough of it can be harmful - it's all about balance. Cow's milk is filled with calcium, which is essential for maintaining healthy bones after 50. Worse still, dairy-free milks are often filled with sugar - so make sure that you read the label!

Once you hit 50, it's time to start seasoning your food with something other than hot sauce. This is particularly true if you suffer from hot flushes or gastrointestinal reflux, as spicy foods and sauces will only amplify these issues. Instead, swap hot sauce for red peppers, which can lower blood pressure and increase metabolism.

Once you're over the age of 50, it's best to avoid raw eggs altogether - including dishes like hollandaise sauce and eggnog. As we age, our immune systems weaken, making us more susceptible to foodborne illnesses like salmonella. Stick to cooked eggs - not only will you avoid any nasty poisonings, you'll also absorb more protein!

Having the occasional ice cream as a treat is okay - eating it in excess, however, can harm your body. There's little-to-no nutritional value in ice cream, with the high levels of lactose and fat making it difficult for your gastrointestinal tract to process. Overindulge, and you may find that you suffer from constipation.

Don't believe the claims that raw milk is good for you - studies conducted by the FDA found that regularly drinking unpasteurized milk can increase your chances of getting salmonella, campylobacter, listeria and more. This is particularly true if you've got a weakened immune system, putting you at a greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

Sprouts are the perfect breeding ground for pathogens, as their warm, moist, nutrient-rich environment can often harbor bacteria like salmonella and listeria. The older you get, the harder it is for your body to fend off these illnesses, resulting in symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Instead, swap out sprouts for safer options like broccoli or kale.

If you can, it's best to avoid anything fried. This type of food stays in your gut much longer than other foods, wreaking havoc on your digestive system. Eating too much fried food can also result in acid reflux. In severe cases, this reflux will weaken your lower esophageal sphincter, leading to chronic heartburn and esophageal damage.

Don't kid yourself - it's almost impossible to stop after one or two! These snacks are comprised of nothing more than processed starch covered in blood pressure-raising salt, offering little nutritional value. Swap out your lunchtime packet of chips for a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts, providing your body with healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

Pastries might seem like the ideal morning snack, but they'll do little to maintain your energy levels. By lunchtime, you'll be feeling slow and sluggish. Instead, have a nutritious, balanced breakfast to help keep any bouts of fatigue at bay, perhaps tucking into a bowl of granola paired with some fruit and honey.

There's a reason why donuts taste so good - they're laden with health-depleting sugars and fats. While they're perfectly fine to have as a rare treat, you don't want to feast on them time and time again. Doing so will lead to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Cheeseburgers, fries, and pizzas are best avoided if you're aiming for a long and healthy life. Fast food is typically laden with sodium, unhealthy fats, and an eye-watering amount of calories - things your body has more difficulty processing as you age. Instead, cook nourishing, homemade meals that offer more beneficial health benefits.

If you're in need of a quick pick-me-up, you might be tempted to down an energy drink, fueling your body with caffeine. However, energy drinks only provide a temporary respite - you'll soon pay the price in the form of a sugar crash. Instead, drink plenty of water and get a good night's sleep for longer lasting benefits.

If you're kickstarting your day with some cereal, make sure to choose the right one. Opting for sugar-laden cereals will lead to energy spikes - followed by severe energy crashes. Instead, choose low-sugar, wholegrain cereals that'll fill you up for hours to come, as well as pumping you full of beneficial nutrients and a hefty dose of fiber.

If you can, it's best to cut soda from your diet entirely. Even the sugar-free options are bad for you, replacing the heaps of sugar with artificial sweeteners. Instead, drink plenty of cups of water throughout the day, ensuring that your body has the hydration it needs to function on top form.

Whole milk, cream, and high-fat cheeses might taste delicious, but they're extremely high in saturated fat, significantly increasing your risk of heart disease. However, you don't need to give up cheese entirely - simply opt for low-fat or fat-free dairy options for a healthier alternative that tastes just as good!

What could be more delicious than a batch of homecooked cookies? (Hint: Nothing). Still, there's a reason why they taste so good - they're full of sugar, sugar that, if eaten in excess, can contribute to weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Enjoy them as a rare treat, but don't make them a staple of your diet!

Don't worry - you don't have to turn your back on all pastas, you just need to enjoy them in moderation. Eating too much of the carb-laden dish can lead to an increase in oil production, oil that'll eventually result in bad skin. Instead, eat wholegrain pasta to ensure that your skin maintains its vibrant glow.

By now, you should know that it's best to avoid adding extra salt to your food - there's enough of it in the ingredients! Adding salt to your dishes only increases your sodium intake, which can lead to high blood pressure and other health issues. Instead, use herbs, spices, or a splash of vinegar to flavor your food.

It's no use grabbing a bowl of healthy cereal and coating it in sugar! Sure, it might taste better, but your health will ultimately pay the price. Eating masses of sugar is likely to lead to a slew of complicated health issues, like diabetes or heart disease. Instead, train your palette to enjoy the natural sweetness of your food.