The One Fried Food No One Over 40 Should Be Eating Anymore Because It Ruins Your Metabolism

French fries

Everyone knows it, but we all love to ignore it: fast food French fries are no good for you—especially if you want to lose weight. This fried, salty, deviously delicious side can lead to a number of health concerns from heart disease to diabetes to cancer. On a smaller scale, eating too many fries too frequently can also lead to a slower metabolism and unwanted weight gain. This is partly due to the fact that this food packs in a high fat and calorie contact while offering virtually no nutritional value.

"Not only are [French fries] high in fat—they are empty calorie foods, which means they don't contain substantial nutrients, they only give calories, which won't be helpful for weight management and health in general," Gervacio explains. Unfortunately, processed snacks like this take little energy for your body to process—which means they can take a toll on your metabolism Say it ain't so!  Another major issue at hand is the trans fat content, which Gervacio points out can lead to inflammation and weight gain over time.

Alternatives to French fries

Luckily, you don't have to ignore your potato cravings altogether if you want to lose weight. There are plenty of healthy ways to cook up this starchy vegetable that don't involve loading your body with fat, salt, and oil. In fact, you may want to try making a healthier version of French fries in your very own kitchen. 

"Bake your own potatoes and make them crispy. Air fryers can also be considered to lessen fat intake. It may be even better than fast-food French fries," Gervacio suggests. We can't promise this air fryer concoction will taste like the fries you'd order at McDonald's—but we can promise they'll be way better for your body.