Foods You Shouldn't Be Eating
Let's face it—without even skimming through this article, you already know some of the unhealthiest foods you probably shouldn't be eating. And yet, you're still snacking away, because some things taste too good to give up. But you should know: the more you eat them, the higher your risk of putting your body in danger. From French fries to canned soup, here are 20 of the world's unhealthiest foods.
1. Ice Cream
You probably already knew this, but your favorite summer dessert is wildly unhealthy. Not only is dairy milk not great for your body (especially for your cholesterol levels), but a pint of ice cream also averages around 80-130 grams of sugar. So, if you're the type of person who eats their feelings...
2. Chips
Are chips your favorite snack of choice? Well, it shouldn't. These crispy potato slices are high in fat and sodium, dusted with preservatives and artificial flavoring, making them unhealthy no matter which way you crunch them. Can't seem to let go? Look for better alternatives, like baked potato chips that boast natural flavors and simple ingredients.
3. French Fries
If chips are on the list, you know French fries had to be next. These golden sticks might be too irresistible not to order on the side with your burger, but trust us—with all that grease and salt (not to mention silly putty, as dimethylpolysiloxane is an ingredient in McDonald's fries), you'd be doing yourself a favor by saying no to "Would you like fries with that?"
4. Bacon & Other Processed Red Meat
Are you a bacon lover? Do you start your mornings with thick cuts of bacon on the pan, sizzling until they're drowning in grease, then pour that goodness all over your toast and eggs? Well, along with other types of processed red meat, like sausages, salami, pepperoni, and hot dogs, eating bacon puts you at a much higher risk of developing heart disease. Plus, with all those preservatives that give them their cured, salty flavor, you'd have a higher chance of developing cancer as well.
Wright Brand Bacon on Unsplash
5. Instant Noodles
Ah, the college student staple. Instant noodles and ramen might be a quick, cheap eat for those lazy nights, but these portable cups are loaded with sodium. On average, they pack a whopping 1,500 to 2,000 mg of salt in each single serving, which almost exceeds the recommended daily limit of 2,300 mg suggested by the American Heart Association (AHA).
6. Soda
A can of soda averages around 40 grams of sugar, which is over the daily limit recommended by the AHA for men (36 g); for women, the limit is even lower—25 g. But sugar isn't the only culprit in these fizzy sodas that you should be avoiding. Artificial dyes and flavorings—many of which are labeled as carcinogens—are also ever-present in these bubbly, sugary drinks.
7. Candy Bars
While it's okay to indulge in a sweet treat occasionally, it's another thing to be snacking on candy bars left and right. These bars can pack, on average, 17 g of sugar, along with added dyes, flavorings, and more, making them grossly unhealthy.
8. Breakfast Cereal
Remember the breakfast cereals you enjoyed when you were young, and that you may still buy for your kids now? Those same cereal boxes—like Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, and Lucky Charms—are loaded with artificial colors, flavors, and sugar. And if your kids are eating them while their bodies are still developing, it could severely affect their health.
9. Energy Drinks
Caffeine and sugar make up energy drinks, and having too much of these two things can be fairly detrimental to your body. In fact, they're 11% more corrosive to your teeth than just drinking regular soda, as found by a study conducted by the University of Maryland. Drink enough of these bad boys, and you'll probably encounter heart or liver problems.
10. Fast Food
It should come as no surprise that fast food is on this list. Sure, burgers and crispy chicken are delicious, but they're also greasy, salty, high-calorie, and often packed to the brim with preservatives. If you're often bringing fast food home, you're putting yourself at extreme risk of developing heart disease and cancer.
11. Processed Cheese
Yup—even those slices of cheese you bought from the store to make sandwiches, nachos, burgers, and mac and cheese are pretty bad for you. These slices are hardly even cheese anymore; they've been blended with so many emulsifiers, preservatives, and colors that they might as well be Play-Doh. If you want cheese, you're better off getting a block of the real thing.
12. Corn Dogs
Hot dogs slathered in batter then deep-fried, anyone? Sure, this might be a beloved street snack in America, but unless you're making healthier variations at home, store-bought versions are packed with harmful preservatives and salt. They're just as bad (if not more so) as eating processed meat.
13. Sweetened Yogurt
Yogurt can be a great way to start the day, but it also matters which ones you're picking off the shelves. Many varieties contain lots of added sugars—10 g or more, for example—which negates their nutritious aspect. So, if you want healthy, opt for plain or Greek yogurt.
14. Microwave Popcorn
Microwave popcorn is a must for movie nights! But many varieties you'll find on the shelves are loaded with sodium and palm oil—a type of oil that's high in saturated fats, which increases bad cholesterol. Plus, some flavored ones may even contain artificial dyes.
15. Canned Soup
Canned soups are great for a quick dinner or pick-me-up in between meals, but you shouldn't be treating them as complete meal replacements. Not only are they packed with salt and unhealthy preservatives, but they might not always contain the kind of nutrition benefits they offer on the tin, especially if they've been sitting in your pantry for a while.
16. Alcohol
Yup, sorry, alcohol lovers. You probably knew this already, but if you're a frequent drinker, you might be putting yourself at risk of developing liver disease and certain types of cancer. Remember to practice moderation, which means sticking to only one or two drinks a day.
17. Salad Dressing
Your crispy, healthy greens could do a lot better without added store-bought dressing. And yes—we mean the ranch and blue cheese ones. Why? Because they're high in calories and loaded with preservatives and saturated fats. Need we say more? For better health (and wallet), choose simple, natural dressings you can make at home.
18. Milkshakes
Ordering a milkshake at a diner is a must, and unless you're visiting these places regularly, you shouldn't have a problem. But if you're having milkshakes on the daily, you should know that they're loaded with sugar, calories, and unhealthy fats.
19. Coffee Creamer
If you're used to having your morning cup of Joe with coffee creamer, you might want to change tack. Coffee creamers are often made with additives, sugar, and oil, and barely any actual cream at all. Stick to dairy milk if you can, or choose a plant-based alternative for a healthier boost.
20. Packaged Juice
Those juice boxes you pack in your kids' lunches? Yup, they're often loaded with added sugars, and sometimes even artificial colors and flavors. In other words, they're definitely not the best choice to be drinking for lunch, and you should replace them with bottles of water instead.
