

Just in case you needed one more reason to adopt a more healthful diet based on fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, you have it. AGEs (short for advanced glycation end products) are derived mostly from animal products and fatty foods subjected to high temperatures. These potentially harmful chemicals may increase the risk and/or speed the progression of a wide variety of diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
Take a look at the chart on this page. Note how many animal foods are higher in AGEs and especially the ones that were prepared with high-temperature cooking methods like grilling, broiling and frying.
AGEs kU/100 calories
Protein:
Broiled beef 2609
Boiled beef 57
Broiled tuna 2833
Roasted tuna 333
Chicken breast raw 636
Chicken breast boiled 688
Chicken breast microwaved 938
Chicken breast pan fried 2773
Chicken breast broiled 3625
Chicken breast roasted 3750
Bacon microwave 1579
Broiled hot dog 7467
Roasted trout 1313
Broiled salmon 700
Fats:
Butter 3732
Cream cheese 3086
Margarine 2434
Olive oil 1364
Mayonnaise 1343
Peanut butter 1252
Roasted almonds 1119
Carbohydrates:
French fries, fast food 486
Beans 143
Pasta 143
Apple 26
Carrots 25
Sweet potato 9
Rice 8
Bread 7
Oatmeal 2
Banana 1
Corn 1
Boiled potato 1
5 Easy Ways to Avoid AGEs:
1) Eat more fruits and vegetables
2) Eat more whole grains
3) Cut back on fatty foods and fatty meats, especially ones prepared with high temperatures from cooking methods like broiling, grilling and deep-frying.
4) Use a moist-heat cooking method like steaming, baking/braising with liquid or poaching.
5) Cook with less fat.
These are all tips you would use to follow a more healthful diet, too!
Who should beware of AGEs?
Everyone who wants to be more healthy and avoid heart disease, diabetes, diabetes-related complications and certain cancers.
If you have any of these diseases already, it is mportant to cut down the amount of potentially harmful chemicals from cooking meat and animal fats with very high temperatures.
In most cases these are the same foods you already need to limit to lower body weight and improve cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Art, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, 2 art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography studio where her love is creating fun recipes.
Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest in nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.