Here Are Super Common Foods That Can Be Especially Dangerous To Eat If You Leave Them Out Too Long
That's what we aimed to find out when we — Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, the co-hosts of HuffPost's 'Am I Doing It Wrong?' podcast — recently chatted with Kristen Aiken, HuffPost's executive director of Life and Commerce.
During our 45 minutes together, Aiken, a culinary school grad and passionate food safety aficionado, gave us tips on how to spare our stomachs (and other delicate body parts) from the nightmarish repercussions of spoiled food.
The most shocking thing we learned was that some unexpected foods are especially dangerous when left out — and consuming them has even led to death.
'[The name for this] is 'Fried Rice Syndrome' colloquially, but it really applies to [almost all] pastas and rices,' Aiken told us before reading from a case report about a young Belgian man who died after consuming spaghetti with red sauce that had been left on his counter at room temperature for five days. An autopsy revealed that there were high levels of bacillus cereus present in his body.
'It's a pretty common bacteria that's found in most foods, and it doesn't make most of us sick most of the time,' Aiken explained. 'It's bacteria that starts as a spore that's inactive. Once you heat it during the initial cooking, it can become activated and release toxins. And the longer the food is left out at room temperature, the more the bacteria multiplies.'
Bacillus cereus spores are most commonly associated with rice and pasta, but they can also be found in meat and cheese. They are especially risky because they are resistant to heat (they ' can only be eliminated by high-temperature treatment, say 121°C for 3 minutes '), and the toxins they produce cannot be destroyed with heat.
Death from eating starchy foods left out at room temperature is rare (and other health factors may have been at play in the case of the Belgian man who died), but it can happen. It's more likely that eating improperly stored food will cause classic food poisoning symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea that should clear up within a few days.
This is why Aiken recommends putting your leftover rice and pasta — and all other foods — in the refrigerator or freezer as quickly as possible to avoid any potential issues.
'The rule you will hear me say a million times over ... there's this temperature danger zone between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit where you really shouldn't leave your food in that range for more than two hours because that's when the bacteria start to multiply,' Aiken said.
If something has been out for longer than two hours, you should consider throwing it away.
In this episode, we also chatted with her about whether or not ketchup and other condiments really need to go in the fridge, foods that will stay good indefinitely, and much more. Listen to it here.
After you've had a listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts, subscribe to 'Am I Doing It Wrong?' so you don't miss a single episode, including our investigations of how to improve our gut health, secrets for better teeth from a celebrity dentist, how to score the best deals on airline tickets, how to poop like a pro, apologizing, vanquishing your credit card debt, finding love online, overcoming anxiety, making a big life change and getting a tattoo.
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Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
Best & Worst Hot Dogs Ranked By Nutritionists
OK, so hot dogs aren't the world's healthiest food, but admit it: If they weren't on the menu at summer barbecues, it'd feel like losing a friend. Fortunately, with a growing number of healthier hot dogs hitting supermarket shelves, it's become possible to indulge and still go easy on your body. You just need to know what to look out for. First things first: 'Avoid traditional or ballpark-labeled hot dogs,' Nicole Avena, a New York-based nutrition consultant, told HuffPost. 'These are usually the highest in sodium and contain the most additives and preservatives.' All processed meats are a health risk ― they've been linked to certain types of cancer, like colorectal cancer, because of the way they're preserved. But there are a few types of meat that offer less risk than the standard beef hot dog, Avena said. Look for a label that indicates whole beef, turkey or chicken, as opposed to mechanically processed and separated meats. Another important factor is sodium content. 'Choose hot dogs that have less than 400 mg (or less than 20% of the daily value) of sodium per serving,' said Gretchen Zimmermann, senior director of cardiometabolic care for Vida Health. (The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.) Other indications of a higher-quality hot dog are if they're uncured and nitrate- and nitrite-free, and have minimal ingredients. 'Overall, uncured chicken or turkey hot dogs would be a better option, because they're usually lower in saturated fat and less processed than beef,' Avena even if the label says 'uncured,' 'no nitrates added' or 'all natural,' it doesn't mean these options are necessarily healthier. Natural preservatives, such as celery powder and celery salt, may sound better, but there's no evidence they're safer, so it's still best to minimize your intake. The same goes for veggie dogs: Choose dogs with minimally processed ingredients, such as tofu, instead of heavily processed soy protein concentrate or isolate. 'An occasional processed veggie dog isn't likely to be harmful, but these soy ingredients haven't been well-studied, so there are still some concerns about their safety,' said Samantha Cassetty, nutrition expert and co-author of Sugar Shock. To save you time scanning nutrition labels, here are the healthiest and the least healthy store-bought hot dogs, according to nutritionists. A healthy beef option: Organic Valley Uncured 100% Beef Hot Dogs 'The Organic Valley hot dogs boast healthy ingredients like organic grass-fed beef, organic spices, garlic and onion powder (although celery powder is used as a preservative),' Zimmermann they're uncured, this makes them your best bet for avoiding high amounts of carcinogens -- and compared to traditional dogs, they're lower in calories, sodium and saturated fat. A healthy beef option: Applegate Naturals Do Good Dog Uncured Beef Hot Dogs Applegate Naturals Do Good Dogs are made with regeneratively sourced beef that's 100% grass-fed. They use just four simple ingredients: beef, water, salt and spices.'You are what you eat, and a healthier diet for the animal you're consuming means a healthier diet for you too,' said Marissa Meshulam, a registered dietitian based in New York City. An unhealthy beef option to avoid: Ball Park Brand Prime Uncured Beef Franks Even though the packaging says 'uncured,' it only takes one glance at the nutrition facts to know these hot dogs aren't the best Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting calories from saturated fat to less than 10% of one's total calories per day to promote heart health. 'A 2,000-calorie diet would equate to less than 20g of saturated fat per day,' Zimmermann said. 'The Ball Park Prime Uncured Beef Franks provides nearly half that amount in one serving.' Even before the bun, ketchup and other salty condiments and accessories are added, these hot dogs pack a whopping 710mg of sodium in one serving, as well as 230 calories, 20g of fat, 9g of saturated fat, 2g of carbohydrates and 9g of protein. Bottom line: Yikes. A healthy pork blend: Applegate Naturals Natural Stadium Beef and Pork Hot Dogs 'Applegate Naturals uses antibiotic-free beef and pork to make these without any preservatives — just natural spices and herbs,' said Amy Shapiro, a New York-based registered dietitian. The franks contain no fillers and no added nitrates or nitrites (except for those naturally occurring in sea salt and celery powder). A healthy pork blend: Seemore La Dolce Beet-a Pork Sausages The pork used to make these sausages is animal welfare-certified, and the dogs themselves are minimally processed. 'Plus, the brand adds fresh beets, garlic and fennel, which further boosts the nutrient content,' Meshulam are no preservatives or phosphates, and the only nitrates or nitrites are those that naturally occur in cultured celery powder and sea salt. An unhealthy pork blend to avoid: Kayem Beef & Pork Hot Dogs These dogs contain a boatload of fat and sodium, as well as corn syrup and dextrose (two types of added sugar), mystery flavorings and preservatives. 'This can indicate the company uses pork byproducts to produce their product, not lean pork or beef,' Avena said. A healthy turkey option: Organic Valley Uncured Pasture-Raised Turkey Hot Dogs These turkey hot dogs are made using meat from animals that have been humanely raised, and the hot dogs are free from fillers and potentially harmful salt sources like sodium nitrates and nitrites, Zimmermann said. They also contain 20% less sodium than the leading organic brand. A healthy turkey option: Applegate Natural Uncured Turkey Hot Dog The turkey dogs from Applegate Farms are as clean as it gets — the turkey is organic and humanely raised with no antibiotics, and the hot dogs themselves contain no fillers or preservatives. 'They simply contain organic turkey and organic spices and herbs,' Shapiro said. 'They're a lean and light option, coming in at 70 calories each with under 4g of fat.' An unhealthy turkey option to avoid: Ball Park Brand White Meat Smoked Turkey Franks Ball Park's turkey franks contain mechanically separated turkey, which, 'to keep it simple, means the meat isn't coming from a good part of the turkey,' Meshulam said. 'It's more likely ground-up bone paste.' They're also loaded with sodium, at almost 600mg per dog. ('That's more than I recommend in a full frozen meal,' Shapiro said.) A healthy chicken option: Applegate Organics Great Organic Uncured Chicken Hot Dog 'This is an excellent choice for a hot dog with just a handful of ingredients, including organic chicken, water, sea salt and spices,' Zimmermann said. 'There are no artificial or naturally occurring nitrate or nitrite sources either, like celery powder, making it one of the best summer grilling hot dog options.' A healthy chicken option: Bilinski's Mild Italian Chicken Sausage with Bell Peppers The line of chicken sausages by Bilinski's are another excellent summer grilling option. 'Not only are they made with only organic chicken breast, water and spices, they're pretty lean,' Meshulam said. The brand's mild Italian option has only 2.5g of fat per dog (0.5g of that being saturated fat) and 13g of protein. An unhealthy chicken option to avoid: Gwaltney Original Chicken Hot Dogs While Gwaltney's chicken dogs are lower in fat, they contain mechanically separated chicken, which means 'you're not just eating chicken meat, but also tendons, veins and skin,' Shapiro said. On top of multiple sodium sources in the ingredients, this hot dog uses 'natural' flavors, which may contain unknown chemicals added during the manufacturing process. 'The word 'natural' isn't regulated by the FDA and can mislead consumers,' Zimmermann said. 'Overall, the high sodium content and long list of ultra-processed ingredients make this chicken dog a no-go.' A healthy vegetarian option: Upton Naturals Updog Vegan Hot Dog This vegan hot dog alternative has a texture similar to meat. 'It contains 19 grams of protein from vital wheat gluten or seitan (the main protein of wheat),' Avena said. 'The limited ingredients and preservatives make it a great meat-free hot dog option.' A healthy vegetarian option: Jack & Annie's Jackfruit Sausages Many 'not dogs' out there contain iffy ingredients (like soy protein isolate), inflammatory oils (canola) and lots of stabilizers and additives to make them taste good. 'While they're 100% better for the environment, they're still very processed products and may not be that much better for your health,' Meshulam said. Instead, go for a real plant-based protein (like tofu, beans or legumes). Jack & Annie's Jackfruit Sausages, for instance, are made with a base of jackfruit — a plant that eats like your favorite meat — and prepared with natural seasonings. An unhealthy vegetarian option to avoid: Lightlife Smart Dogs To make these non-meat dogs taste like meat, Lightlife uses a lot of processed ingredients, including soy protein isolate, 'a very processed and broken-down form [of] soy I tell my clients to avoid,' Shapiro said. 'They also use three different sweeteners, soy and canola oil, guar gum and xanthum gums, too — so many ingredients that cause inflammation in the body.' What if your favorite hot dog is one of the 'unhealthy' options listed above? If any of your go-to dogs made the 'steer clear' list, it doesn't mean you have to ghost them. 'Going to barbecues and eating less healthy foods are part of living a joy-filled life,' Cassetty advice? If you feel that no family barbecue is complete without a Ball Park frank in your hand, then have one and enjoy. Just don't make hot dogs a way of life.'The occasional hot dog at a barbecue when you're otherwise eating a mostly healthy diet isn't going to wreck your health,' Cassetty said. 'So pick the one you'll enjoy and be mindful of your diet as a whole.'
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
Israeli airstrikes kill 14 Palestinians in Gaza and another 10 die seeking food
'We are tired. Enough starvation, enough closure of crossing points. We want to sleep in calm where we don't hear warplanes or drones or shelling,' said Jamalat Wadi, one of Gaza's hundreds of thousands of displaced people, speaking in Deir al-Balah. She squinted in the sun during a summer heat wave of over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Hamas has sought guarantees that the initial truce would lead to a total end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. President Donald Trump has pushed for an agreement and will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday to discuss a deal. Advertisement Previous negotiations have stalled over Hamas demands of guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war's end, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the militant group's destruction. 'Send a delegation with a full mandate to bring a comprehensive agreement to end the war and bring everyone back. No one must be left behind,' Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, told the weekly rally by relatives and supporters in Tel Aviv. Advertisement A Palestinian doctor and his 3 children killed Israeli airstrikes struck tents in the crowded Muwasi area on Gaza's Mediterranean coast, killing seven people including a Palestinian doctor and his three children, according to Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. Four others were killed in the town of Bani Suheila in southern Gaza. Three people were killed in three strikes in Khan Younis. Israel's army did not immediately comment. Separately, eight Palestinians were killed near a GHF aid distribution site in the southern city of Rafah, the hospital said. One Palestinian was killed near another GHF point in Rafah. It was not clear how far the Palestinians were from the sites. GHF denied the killings happened near their sites. The organization has said no one has been shot at its sites, which are guarded by private contractors and can be accessed only by passing Israeli military positions hundreds of meters (yards) away. The army had no immediate comment but has said it fires warning shots as a crowd-control measure and only aims at people when its troops are threatened. Another Palestinian was killed waiting in crowds for aid trucks in eastern Khan Younis, officials at Nasser Hospital said. The United Nations and other international organizations have been bringing in their own supplies of aid since the war began. The incident did not appear to be connected to GHF operations. Much of Gaza's population of over 2 million now relies on international aid after the war has largely devastated agriculture and other food sources and left many people near famine. Crowds of Palestinians often wait for trucks and unload or loot their contents before they reach their destinations. The trucks must pass through areas under Israeli military control. Israel's military did not immediately comment. Advertisement American aid workers injured The GHF said the two American aid workers were injured on Saturday morning when assailants threw grenades at a distribution site in Khan Younis. The foundation said the injuries were not life-threatening. Israel's military said it evacuated the workers for medical treatment. The GHF — a U.S.- and Israeli-backed initiative meant to bypass the U.N. — distributes aid from four sites that are surrounded by Israeli troops. Three sites are in Gaza's far south. The U.N. and other humanitarian groups have rejected the GHF system, saying it allows Israel to use food as a weapon, violates humanitarian principles and is not effective. Israel says Hamas has siphoned off aid delivered by the U.N., a claim the U.N. denies. Hamas has urged Palestinians not to cooperate with the GHF. GHF, registered in Delaware, began distributing food in May to Palestinians, who say Israeli troops open fire almost every day toward crowds on roads heading to the distribution points. Several hundred people have been killed and hundreds more wounded, according to Gaza's Health Ministry and witnesses. The U.N. human rights office says it has recorded 613 Palestinians killed within a month in Gaza while trying to obtain aid, most of them while trying to reach GHF sites. The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Israel responded with an offensive that has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children. according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is led by medical professionals employed by the Hamas government. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but the U.N. and other international organizations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties. Advertisement Kullab reported from Jerusalem.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
'Reverse SAD' Is A Real Thing. Here Are The Signs.
When you hear the term 'seasonal affective disorder,' odds are you think of wintertime blues. 'We tend to associate shorter days, less sunlight and cold weather with higher chances of depressed mood,' therapist Natalie Moore told HuffPost. 'Conversely, when we think of summertime, we imagine longer days, sunshine and picture people being more joyful and optimistic.' For some people, however, the sunnier seasons bring an emotional struggle. This lesser-known ― and often overlooked ― condition is called 'reverse SAD' or summer-pattern SAD. 'Reverse seasonal affective disorder, or summer-pattern SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during the spring and summer months, as opposed to the more common winter-pattern SAD,' said board-certified psychiatrist and 'Practical Optimism' author Dr. Sue Varma. 'While most people associate SAD with the colder, darker months, some individuals experience a worsening of mood when the days get longer and brighter.' A number of different factors can cause reverse SAD. 'Reverse SAD is thought to affect individuals who are particularly sensitive to circadian rhythm changes,' Moore said. 'Physiological factors include discomfort from increased heat and humidity and sleep disruption caused by early sunrise.' Changes in light exposure can throw off mood-regulating hormones like serotonin and melatonin in the summer, just as in the winter. 'Psychological factors include internal pressure to be happy during this time of year,' Moore said. Summer comes with expectations to be outdoors, attend barbecues, take vacations, and generally be 'on.'Erin Pash, licensed marriage and family therapist The summer can be particularly tough for introverts, since social conventions call for increased participation in potentially energy-depleting activities in the summer. 'Other triggers may include summer stressors like vacation costs, childcare pressures, or problems with body image that are enhanced by our summer wardrobes,' said Dr. Samar McCutcheon, a psychiatrist with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Summer tends to disrupt routines, which is especially challenging for parents. 'Everything feels a little less structured with kids out of school, parents shuttling children around summer camps, more workload because coworkers are on vacation and pushing off work later at night to accommodate summer day time schedules,' said Mabel Yiu, a marriage and family therapist and founding director of Women's Therapy Institute. 'For people who rely on routine to feel stable, that lack of consistency can be destabilizing.' 'The symptoms of reverse SAD can differ slightly from winter-pattern SAD,' Varma said. 'People should look out for insomnia or trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, irritability or mood swings.' It's common for those with this condition to feel extra pressure, which leads to a challenging disconnect. 'When you're not feeling great but feel like you should be, it can lead to guilt, shame, and isolation, which only worsens mental health,' Yiu said. Although the warm weather months are typically associated with more occasions to socialize, people struggling with reverse SAD may engage in social withdrawal. 'Summer comes with expectations to be outdoors, attend barbecues, take vacations, and generally be 'on,'' said Erin Pash, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Pash Co. 'For someone already struggling, these expectations can feel like a heavy weight.' She recalled a past client who expressed feeling guilty for wanting to stay inside in the air conditioning while it seemed like everyone else was at the beach. They felt as though something was wrong with them for not loving the summertime. 'You might notice you're snappier with family members, avoiding social gatherings you'd normally enjoy or feeling physically uncomfortable even in mildly warm weather,' Pash added. In addition to social withdrawal, restlessness and overwhelm are typical signs of the condition. 'The intense sunlight that energizes others can feel overwhelming, like sensory overload that leaves you agitated rather than refreshed,' Pash said. Many people with reverse SAD report feeling overstimulated and anxious. But ultimately, the biggest sign is timing. Pay attention to patterns in your depression symptoms year over year. 'If you notice that around spring or summer time you experience these signs of reverse SAD, you should speak to your doctor or therapist about your symptoms,' Moore noted. 'Because it's not a well-documented condition, you may need to advocate for yourself in medical environments and seek a mood disorder specialist who has experience treating patients with this issue.' 'Because it is not a well-known mood disorder, the first step in treating and managing reverse SAD is recognizing that you struggle with it,' Moore said. 'Although reverse SAD is rare, you are not alone. Awareness around this condition is increasing.' Take steps to create an environment at home that will support your mental health in the summer. 'Use air conditioning or fans to maintain a comfortable temperature,' Varma advised. 'Heat intolerance is a big trigger. And while bright light can be helpful in the winter, those with reverse SAD may benefit from limiting light during certain times of day, especially in the evening.' Avoid excessive light exposure to promote good sleep as well. 'Use blackout curtains or eye masks if there's still light,' Yiu suggested. 'Minimize blue light screen time and have deliberate dim hours before bed.' Think about lifestyle factors that can affect your mood, and take care of yourself with good nutrition, regular exercise and breaks to rest and recharge. 'Prioritize being proactive about your wellbeing ― nourish your body with healthy food and remember to hydrate and replenish your body,' suggested Rachel Thomasian, a licensed therapist and owner of Playa Vista Counseling. 'Start or maintain a yoga or meditation routine to help manage feelings of anxiety or overwhelm.' Be mindful about your schedule and how you divide your time as well. 'Find indoor activities during the day to avoid being outside at the peak of heat or humidity,' McCutcheon said. 'It can be especially helpful if these activities involve your friends or family, to further prevent depressive symptoms.' She also recommended taking vacations to cooler climates during the summer. 'Give yourself permission to have a different kind of summer,' Pash said. 'Maybe your ideal July evening is a movie night with the AC cranked up, not a rooftop party. That's completely valid. And if you know summer is tough, plan easier months around it. Maybe you schedule your big work projects for fall and keep summer commitments lighter.' The same goes for social commitments. If you find endless summer barbecues too draining, you don't have to say yes to every invitation. 'Let friends and family know that you experience summer differently,' Pash said. 'A simple 'I'm more of a fall person, but I'd love to hang out somewhere air-conditioned' can go a long way.' In addition to leaning on loved ones for support, consider seeking professional help. 'For treatment interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy can be a helpful place to start to treat mild or moderate symptoms, and antidepressants should be considered when someone is experiencing moderate to severe symptoms,' McCutcheon noted. Whatever approach you try, just remember to be kind to yourself. 'Your experience is real and valid, even if it goes against the cultural narrative that summer equals happiness,' Pash said. 'Remember there's no 'right' way to experience any season. Your mental health matters year-round, including during those long, bright summer days.' 13 Vacation Habits That Are Secretly Stressing You Out Is This ADHD Symptom Messing With Your Sex Life? Why Does Talking About Bugs Make You Itchy?
