Fried Foods

Most fried foods are deep-fried, cooked by immersing them in fats like oil and butter—think French fries, battered fish, fried chicken, fried green beans, donuts, and even fried pies.

Cooking food in a lot of oil triples the amount of calories. Studies have shown that regularly eating fried foods is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, and an increased risk of early death for heavy eaters (1-2 servings a day).

Additionally, fried restaurant foods use partially hydrogenated oil, adding trans fat to the fried food. Any amount of trans fat is harmful, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s, and depression.

Healthier ways of preparing foods include baking, boiling, steaming, sautéing, stewing, roasting, and grilling. An air fryer is a great way to achieve the texture and flavor of fried foods while using minimal or no oil.