Nowadays, so many of our favorite foods are sold pre-packaged in stores, which might seem convenient at first glance. However, this is normally a sign that they’re highly processed, something that you’ll want to avoid if you care about your health. If you’re looking for the most dangerous of them all, here are the packaged foods that nutrition experts say you should steer clear of.
Instant Noodles
Another packaged food that nutrition experts recommend steering clear of is instant noodles, which have never been more popular. They’re certainly convenient, but they’re almost always packed with sodium, unhealthy fats, and preservatives. They also lack essential nutrients and can contribute to high blood pressure and heart problems over time, so they’re best saved as an occasional snack.
Diet Sodas
Despite being low in calories, diet sodas can have negative health impacts due to artificial sweeteners. Some studies even suggest they can disrupt metabolism and increase cravings for sweet foods. Water, herbal teas, or sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice are far better alternatives.
Flavored Yogurts
While natural Greek yogurt is immensely healthy, especially for your gut, the same cannot be said for flavored yogurts, which often contain high amounts of added sugars and artificial ingredients. This completely diminishes their health benefits, so just go for plain yogurt, adding fresh fruits if you want a healthy, sweet kick.
Processed Meats
Nutrition experts consistently warn against processed meats like bacon, sausages, and deli meats. While they might be tasty, these items are generally high in saturated fats and sodium, which UCLA Health concludes will increase your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, many contain preservatives like nitrates, which have been linked to cancer, so it’s best to go for fresh meats from the deli section when possible.
Sugary Breakfast Cereals
These days, many breakfast cereals, particularly those marketed to children, are loaded with added sugars, which is outrageous. Worse still, these cereals usually come in healthy-looking packaging despite leading to spikes in blood sugar and energy crashes, which is a terrible way to start your day. Instead, opt for whole-grain options with minimal sugar, such as oatmeal.
Microwave Popcorn
A lot of people mistake microwave popcorn for being a quick, healthy snack, but the pre-packaged stuff is often laden with unhealthy fats and artificial flavorings. The lining of the bags may even contain chemicals like PFOAs, which are linked to various health issues. Thankfully, air-popped popcorn, even the packaged stuff, is generally okay.
Frozen Dinners
Back in the day, frozen dinners weren’t too bad for us, but today, they typically contain high levels of sodium, unhealthy fats, and preservatives. They also lack the fresh nutrients found in whole foods. So, you’re better off just preparing your meals in advance with fresh ingredients if you need to save time.
Granola Bars
Despite being marketed as a healthy snack, many granola bars are filled with sugars, artificial ingredients, and unhealthy fats. This is super misleading considering that many people claim them to be a healthy food. Skip the packaged options and make homemade bars with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, which are genuinely healthy.
Canned Soups
Even though canned soups may seem innocent, they often contain excessive amounts of sodium and preservatives. Even those labeled as low-fat or healthy can be deceptively salty, linking them directly to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues. Thankfully, homemade soups with fresh ingredients are still healthy options.
Store-Bought Smoothies
Just like soups, the famously healthy fruit smoothie is actually terrible for you when bought in a package, as it will no doubt contain absurd amounts of sugar and calories. Once again, make these at home with fresh fruits and natural sugar alternatives such as honey, and they’ll be healthy once again.
Packaged Cheese Snacks
Eating the occasional bit of cheese isn’t too unhealthy, but packaged cheese snacks, like processed cheese slices and sticks, almost always contain additives and are high in saturated fats and sodium. They can even contribute to heart disease and other health issues, so it’s best to pick natural cheese from deli counters or farmer’s markets instead.
Bottled Salad Dressings
Another packaged food that nutritionists avoid, like the plague, is bottled salad dressings, such as ranch, which are generally loaded with sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial preservatives. These additives can completely cancel out the benefits of eating a healthy salad, so just make yourself some basic, natural salad dressings at home using olive oil, vinegar, and herbs.
Instant Oatmeal
There’s no denying that oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfast foods out there, but the instant packets you find in stores often contain added sugars, sodium, and artificial flavorings. These quick-cooking oats lack the nutritional benefits of traditional rolled or steel-cut oats, completely defeating the point.
Packaged Muffins
While you might let yourself off indulging in the occasional muffin, packaged options are almost always high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories despite commonly being marketed as healthy or low-fat. They offer little nutritional value and can lead to weight gain, so consider making your own at home instead.
Frozen Pizzas
There isn’t really a form of pizza that is completely healthy, but frozen options are particularly bad due to their excessive sodium, unhealthy fat, and preservative contents. They lack the freshness of homemade pizza, so if you’re looking to indulge, make your own pizza at home, which can be a lot of fun.
Sweetened Nut Butters
Most people think that any nut butter is healthy, but in reality, it’s often loaded with added sugars and unhealthy fats these days. These additions completely diminish the health benefits of nuts. So, if you’re a fan of peanut butter or other alternatives, choose natural nut butter with no added sugars, or make your own.
Packaged Snack Cakes
Similar to muffins, packaged snack cakes are incredibly sugary and fatty, not to mention packed with preservatives. They offer little nutritional value, so their high-calorie content will only contribute to weight gain and other health issues. Just eat cakes the old-school way for a healthier alternative–home-baked.
Energy Drinks
Arguably, the unhealthiest food item on this list is energy drinks, which nutritionists couldn’t ever recommend you consume. They’re high in sugars, artificial ingredients, and, most importantly, insane amounts of caffeine. So, the temporary energy boost they provide is never worth it because it will only be followed by an intense crash from the sugar rush.