Too much of a good thing? Don’t overeat these health foods

Ever heard the phrase, “Too much of a good thing?” Well, it even applies to eating too much of what are deemed “healthy foods.” You may feel good that your diet consists of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, but you can actually be overindulging in these healthy foods. In turn, they can harm you.

As it goes with most everything in life, moderation is the key, and healthy foods are not immune to this rule either.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about promoting healthy eating and believe that healthy foods can keep us well and strong. But just be weary if you’re enjoying too much of any of these items.

Spinach

If it was good for Popeye, it must be good for us! I’m sure when you were growing up spinach was pushed at you time and again. 

Now that you’re older, you can appreciate it as a healthy food and a staple to a healthy diet. Unfortunately, though, even too much spinach can be bad for you (maybe Popeye should have seen a doctor at some point).

Spinach is a beneficial health food as it’s packed with protein, fiber and other vitamins and nutrients. Spinach is also high in oxalate – naturally found in food and the body. 

Too much oxalate can lead to kidney stones, and those who are prone to kidney stones should moderate their intake of not only spinach, but other foods that contain high amounts of oxalate.

Water

This one may shock you, but you can have too much water. You’ve probably been told that your urine should be clear, but if it’s always clear, it means you’re having too much water. Excessive amounts of water can lead to water intoxication – yes, too much water is actually toxic.

Our bodies contain sodium which is useful for everyday bodily functions. Excessive water dilutes this sodium causing it to lower dramatically. When our sodium levels are off, bodily functions start to become impaired, like our brain function, for example.

The Mayo Clinic recommends for healthy adult males, they consume about 13 cups (3 liters) a day, where healthy females can have about nine cups (2.2 liters). Generally speaking, unless you’re training for a marathon or forcing yourself to drink plenty of water, water intoxication is quite rare, but it is something to think about!

Canned tuna

Any food item that is in a can is easy to store, low on budget, and easy to eat as well, so canned tuna is a great way to get in some omega-3s. Tuna itself is a healthy fish if eaten in moderation. Because tuna is a larger fish, it often eats many varieties of smaller fish, which in turn absorb their mercury levels and toxins. Overeating the canned variety can put you at risk for high mercury levels.

High amounts of mercury in the body can lead to brain, heart, kidney, brain and immune problems. 

The effects of high mercury can be worse in those with weaker immune systems, like children and seniors. Some symptoms of excessive mercury are loss of vision, muscle weakness, and impairment in speech and hearing.

Another threat in your canned tuna is the can itself. 

Although bisphenol A (BPA) has been targeted as a toxic substance and companies are working to remove it from their plastic bottles and cans, even BPA’s replacement – BPS – can mimic estrogen, causing it to be harmful.

If you want to enjoy canned tuna, try not to have it more than three times a week, and when possible opt for fresh tuna instead.

Acidic fruits

You would never think that having too much fruit could be a bad thing, but fruits like oranges and tomatoes, which are highly acidic, can be. 

Their acid, by consuming them over a long period of time in high amounts, can lead to acid reflux. 

Over time, this acid reflux could lead to potential illnesses like Barrett’s esophagus – a condition where the esophagus becomes lined with lesions which can be precancerous.

If you already have some form of reflux, it’s best to limit or stay away from acidic foods. 

For those who don’t have acid reflux, moderating how much of these types of fruits you enjoy is key to prevent future issues.

All is well in moderation

As you probably already know, the secret to overall healthy living is eating well and exercising, but both must be done in moderation. All things in life can be enjoyed as long as they are in healthy amounts – healthy foods included. Sometimes we become so confident in foods that have been deemed healthy that we even forget that they, too, can be too much of a good thing.

So as you continue on your healthy living, remember to always have variety and don’t over-indulge on certain items. Variety is the spice of life, after all!