Delicious but dangerous: 10 riskiest foods to eat

Eggs
Everyone loves eggs. But eggs have some of the most important health concerns known. Outbreaks of food borne illnesses in the last 20 years reveal that some of the most popular and healthiest foods regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are also among the most unsafe—including, yes, eggs.

One of the most important concerns for eggs is Salmonella bacteria. It is harboured in the intestinal tracts of animals and birds, and is the biggest culprit of egg contamination.

Tip: Don’t buy eggs if they’re not refrigerated. Upon purchase, keep your eggs refrigerated. Cook thoroughly and avoid using raw eggs in home recipes. If you’re at a restaurant, ask if raw eggs are used in any prepared dishes.

Tuna
Seafood lovers, beware. If tuna and other fresh fish are not properly refrigerated, this underwater food source begins to release hard-to-destroy natural toxins, and consumption can also cause illnesses related to norovirus and salmonella.

Tip: If you love sushi, keep it cold! Make sure tuna has been kept on ice. But if it’s kept higher than refrigerator temperature, you can risk bacterial growth.

Leafy greens

It’s hard to believe, but popular leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, cabbage, kale and arugula can pose health risks. But it is true because improper production, handling and preparation can lead to contamination from E. coli, norovirus and salmonella.

Tip:  Always wash your leafy greens by thoroughly soaking them in a large bowl of water (not running water). Dry before eating.

Oysters
Before enjoying this delicacy at a restaurant, heed the FDA’s warnings regarding norovirus and vibrio—the top two sources of oyster contamination. Norovirus, the less risky of the two, can lead to gastroenteritis, or stomach and intestine inflammation. Vibrio, a bacterium found in the same family as cholera, is inherently more dangerous and can lead to severe diseases. Thorough cooking destroys them.

Tip: Raw or undercooked oysters can sometimes pose a health risk. Know the source of your oysters and make sure they’re stored in cold temperatures.

Potatoes
I know it sounds odd, but yes, potato salads and other potato dishes, improperly prepared may pose the greatest health risks for consumers. Although salmonella is most commonly associated with potato outbreaks, E. coli, shigella and listeria are also on the list of potato pathogens to guard against.

Tip: Scrub away the skin debris before peeling and eating.

Cheese
Even though pasteurized milk has reduced the risk of cheese becoming tainted with dangerous pathogens, this food is not in the clear. Specifically, Latin American-style cheeses, such as queso fresco, may contain unsafe bacteria if produced by unlicensed manufacturers. Also, consumption of soft cheeses, such as feta and brie, has been associated with listeriosis—an often symptom-free infection that can result in miscarriage.

Tip: Pasteurized is key! Absolutely avoid non-pasteurized cheese products.

Ice cream
Almost half of all ice cream outbreaks occur in private homes, most likely due to the use of undercooked eggs in homemade ice cream. Ice cream scoops can potentially carry hazards like salmonella and staphylcoccus. Like soft cheeses, soft ice cream can cause problems for pregnant women who are more vulnerable to the threats of listeriosis.

Tip: Ice cream is not a risk for most people consuming commercial or store-bought brands. Just be wary of homemade versions that might harbuor bacteria from raw eggs used in preparation.

Tomatoes
My favourite vegetable is also on the watch list. . Actually tomatoes are also considered one of the most risky foods. The biggest reason has to do with the existence of salmonella bacteria which makes its way into tomatoes through small cracks in the skin, the stem scar or the plant itself. Unless the food is cooked, salmonella is tough to eradicate.

Tip: Wash tomatoes thoroughly! Cooked tomatoes will most definitely kill any bacteria lingering on the skin.

Sprouts
Typically, sprouts become contaminated with harmful pathogens, such as salmonella and E. coli, in the field or in storage. People with weak immune systems are the most prone to illnesses after consuming raw or undercooked sprouts.

Tip:  Although healthful and generally not risky, babies and elderly individuals, as well as those with compromised immune systems, should limit their intake of sprouts.

Berries
Over the years, some of the most popular (and most delicious) berries have been linked to thousands of illnesses. The most common culprit of berry-related illnesses is cyclospora, an infection that targets the intestines. Symptoms of cyclospora (which must be treated with antibiotics), include diarrhea, dehydration and stomach cramps.

Tip: Wash thoroughly! Pesticides can penetrate to the fruit of thin-skinned berries. So be wary.

The Pill: Preventing the Oops moment

The birth control pill is the most popular reversible contraceptive of sexually active women trying to prevent pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s easy to use, has few side effects and it works, but only as long as you take it at the same time each day.

How does it work?  The Pill works in part by suppressing ovulation, so each time you miss a pill you increase the odds that ovulation might occur. Note that certain medications, including some antibiotics, anticonvulsants, HIV medications and so may others also may weaken the pill’s effectiveness.

Now, here’s what you need to do to make sure the pill is working for you.

If you’ve ever forgotten to pop your pill, you’re not alone because at least 20 percent of women miss a pill every month says experts. To avoid this mishap, pair pill-taking with something else you do every day, such as brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. Or set up an alarm in your phone or ask your partner to remind you.

If you do miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss more than two days in a row, you absolutely have to use backup protection. Use backup birth control until your next menstruation and continue taking the pills to keep your period on schedule. If you’re on any prescription medications, ask your pharmacist or doctor if they will interfere with the Pill

Want good muscle tone? Go belly dancing
Belly dancing has a reputation for theatrics and seduction, but its rhythmic isolations of the hips, abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms and back make for a surprisingly low-impact workout.

It uses all the core muscles of the body with minimal effort on the joints, so it’s perfect for people of all ages or those who have sports-related injuries.

Belly dancing is also a great way to strengthen the muscles in your back, minimising lower back pain. To get started, all you need is some music and a scarf to tie around your hips.

Stand comfortably in front of a mirror and move your hips, shoulders, arms and chest in as many different ways as possible, one by on.

Just relax and get down on it. Look for a class at your local gym or dance studio or do it at home in your spare time...