Whether you just turned 40 or you’re already in your 40s for quite some time now, this article is made especially for you. Below are certain foods that you should avoid — they should not make it past your chompers as they’re known to increase your likelihood of having health problems that commonly strike those who are 40 years old and above.

They say that life begins at 40. And now that you are just born according to that adage, it’s the perfect time to make amends for some of the mistakes that you have committed before, in particular diet-wise.

Here are some of the foods you should avoid if you want to stay healthy for many years to come:

French Fries

The golden color of French fries is usually enough to put a smile on your face. And as soon as you put them in your mouth, it seems like many of your problems just melt away.

Unfortunately, the consumption of French fries can add lots and lots of problems to your life. They can clog up your arteries. They can increase your blood pressure. They can make your waistline expand, which is something that can bring forth so many health complications, especially now that you are already in your 40s.

Processed or Cured Meats

While it’s true that they are so delicious they can make your day seem complete, the truth is processed or cured meats can shave off so many days from your life. According to doctors, the likes of bacon, ham, hotdogs, salami, corned beef and canned meat products can increase your cancer risk.

It’s no secret that one of the risk factors for so many types of cancer is age — the older a person gets, the higher his or her chances of battling cancer. Having two cancer risk factors is a no-no!

Donuts

Colorful and tasty, it seems like donuts are the perfect way to celebrate your 40s. Unfortunately, their appearance and taste make up for the horrible fact that these eye-catching treats can wreak havoc to your health.

Because they are packed with refined sugar, donuts can trigger chronic inflammation. Experts say that chronic inflammation is something that can be linked to the development of various health nightmares, many of which are more common in those who are 40 years old and above.

Anything White

The use of refined or white flour can make any baked treat look phenomenal. However, adding them to your diet now that you are 40 years of age or above can make you look awful as well as feel terrible. Again, it’s for the fact that they can set off chronic inflammation, which can easily lead to anything from joint pain to heart disease.

Baked treats out of whole wheat flour may not look as pretty as their counterparts out of refined or white flour, but they’re the ones that are perfect for those who are already in their 40s — or those at any age, to be honest.

Pizza

People who are in their 40s are some of the busiest individuals on the face of the planet. Often, they have to juggle a lot of things, ranging from work to romance. It’s for this reason exactly why oftentimes pizza is ordered for dinner because of the sheer convenience it offers.

Unfortunately, pizza is merely the combination of some of the worst things about the foods mentioned above — grease, meat and refined flour.

Carbonated Drinks

Last but not least, it’s a very good idea for you to steer clear of anything that fizzes now that you are in your 40s. More often than not, carbonated drinks are loaded with refined sugar, and it’s common knowledge that refined sugar is the root cause of so many health problems, especially those that tend to bug people who are 40 and above.

So is it fine to opt for diet soda? Not really, doctors say. Actually, numerous studies have shown that artificial sweeteners are just as bad for you as refined sugar!