You’ve heard of the saying “You are what you eat”, but what happens if you don’t have all the facts? What if you think you’re making healthy, or at least decent food and drink choices but in reality those items are harming you? Here are 15 extremely unhealthy foods and drinks that Americans just can’t seem to give up, and what they are doing to your health.
Processed Meat
Processed meat such as luncheon meat, hot dogs, chicken strips, etc. can be easy and delicious meals. Not only that, they tend to be relatively cost-effective items at the grocery store. Unfortunately, for those looking for a protein option, these are some of the worst forms of protein you can eat. They tend to be full of nitrites, salt, and phosphates. Nitrites are linked to cancer, and excess phosphate can lead to kidney and heart disease.
Fast Food Hamburger
Speaking of processed food, if your favorite fast-food item is a hamburger, it may be time to think twice. Sure it’s filling and generally tasty, but just like processed meat it can be filled with harmful ingredients. The good news is that you can still fill your hamburger craving by making homemade patties at home using the ground meat of your choice.
Pre-Packaged Frozen Dinners
Another simple and cost-effective meal is pre-packaged frozen dinners. Simply pop them in the microwave, and you’ve got a dinner ready to go. Again, these tend to contain all kinds of preservatives and are extremely high in sodium. The sodium levels in frozen dinners should be concerning for those with high blood pressure.
White Bread
Bread is one of those staple items everyone has in their pantry, but depending on what type you eat, it could be doing more harm than good. White bread is the biggest offender as it doesn’t have the same amount of fiber as whole-grain bread. It can also raise your blood sugar levels.
Margarine
If you’re used to slathering a layer of margarine on your slice of white bread, you’ve got a double offender happening. Not only is white bread unhealthy, margarine is high in trans fat, which is horrible for your heart health. It’s always better to choose butter instead.
Soda – All Flavors
No matter what brand or flavor of soda you prefer they all have one thing in common: extremely high amounts of sugar. The high sugar is what makes them so tasty, but it can also lead to health problems such as weight gain, cardiovascular issues, tooth decay, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, difficulty absorbing calcium, and more.
Diet Soda
Diet soda has made quite the name for itself, convincing people that by containing less sugar it’s a “healthier” option. In reality, it can be very bad for your health and some studies have linked the artificial sweeteners used in them to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more.
Artificial Sweetener
Artificial sweeteners are a bit of a mixed bag. They can be found in all kinds of food and drinks, boasting lower-calorie benefits. And while it’s true they may contain much fewer calories than refined white sugar, it doesn’t make it a smart choice. Studies on animals have shown these sweeteners are linked to bladder cancer, brain tumors, obesity, strokes, heart disease, and other serious health issues.
Microwave Popcorn
People often choose popcorn as a healthy snack option, especially in comparison to potato chips, but this isn’t necessarily true. It comes down to how you prepare the popcorn. Microwave popcorn isn’t doing you any favors as the lining in the bag can contain harmful chemicals. As well, you have no control over how much salt and butter is added. The healthier choice is air-popped popcorn that you make yourself.
Potato Chips
The problem with chips is you can never seem to eat just one, which means the health risks increase. Probably the worst aspect of potato chips is the high sodium levels, but they can also contain a lot of calories. Consuming chips regularly can also lead to high blood pressure and weight gain.
Chocolate Bars
This one should come as no surprise, as everyone is probably aware of how bad chocolate bars are for you. They are high in sugar, high in saturated fat, contain large amounts of caffeine, and more. These lead to weight gain, sleeplessness, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and more. If you have to have a chocolate bar, reach for the mini size and enjoy it as a special treat once in a while.
Granola Bars
Many people believe that granola bars are a nutritious snack. Did you know that these can be just as bad for you as a chocolate bar? Granola bars can contain all the same harmful ingredients leading to such things as weight gain, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and more. There are healthier granola bars but it’s still important to read labels as many that claim to be healthy are still packed with sugar and preservatives.
High Sugar Cereal
High sugar cereals contain way too much sugar to be considered a healthy breakfast option. The problem is that many of the “healthy” cereals trick people into thinking they are making a smart choice. It’s important to read the nutritional label on cereal so you can find the best one for your dietary needs.
Canned Soup
Canned soup fits into the “processed foods” category because it is filled with sodium, fat, preservatives and added sugars. This can lead to high cholesterol, high blood sugar and contribute to inflammation. If you’re craving soup, the healthier choice is to make it yourself. You can always make large batches of broth or soup and freeze them, making it quick and easy to defrost as you want it.
Fruit Juice
It’s normal to assume that the words “fruit juice” on a label means you are making a healthy choice. Unfortunately, fruit juice is known for extremely high levels of sugar, and the actual fruit concentrate – the pure juice – is very little. Drinking excessive amounts can put you at a higher risk of developing diabetes and obesity.
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