The Worst Foods for You: 10 Items You Should Never Buy Again
Before you head to the supermarket, make sure to cross these items off your grocery list; whether they’re rip-offs, fakes, or just plain unhealthy, here’s a list of the worst foods to keep out of your shopping cart!
1. Bagels
Starchy white bagels and flavored varieties such as onion or poppy seed are made with refined wheat flour, which has been stripped of the fiber and nutrients that give whole grains their benefits.
Bagels are also extremely dense, which means they are packed with calories. Many have nearly four times the calories of a slice of white bread. Switch to whole-grain English muffins or bread instead.
2. Cured Meats & Hot Dogs
Whether it’s a fancy platter of charcuterie or a hotdog with the works, avoid cured meats in any form. They’ve been linked to serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure, plus they’re packed with grease; regulations allow up to 50% of sausages to be fat, and it’s the bad kind of fat, not the good fats you should be eating. Stick to lean deli meats and sausages made from chicken and turkey for a protein hit with far less fat.
3. Bottled Ice Tea
Brew your own tea at home and save you’re your waistline while you also save money; bottled teas have a huge markup and also contain a whole lot of sugar.
4. White Rice
Like white bread and white pasta, white rice is one of the simple carbs you should avoid. Unlike whole grain versions, refined foods like these send your blood sugar levels into a spiral and do little to keep hunger at bay. Plus, studies have shown that a 17% higher probability of diabetes occurs when white rice is eaten more than five times per week when compared to only eating it once a month.
5. Energy Drinks
We warned you of the dangers of diet soda, but energy drinks – including the sugar-free varieties – are even worse for you. These seemingly harmless caffeinated drinks have been linked to heart attacks, convulsions, and even death.
6. Reduced Fat Peanut Butter
Dieters think that they’re able to spread more peanut butter when it’s low fat, but it’s a common mistake. When companies take out the fat in peanut butter, they add lots of sugar to make it taste good. Stick to regular peanut butter for more of the good fats and less of the fake sweetness.
7. ‘Blueberry’ Items
You’ll find blueberries in lots of foods these days, from cereals and protein bars to muffins, but it turns out that most of the blueberry-flavored items on our shelves actually don’t contain a single blueberry, just artificial blueberry flavor. Enjoy the taste and health benefits of real blueberries by adding some to plain breakfast cereal yourself.
8. Multigrain Bread
Don’t be fooled – this is probably a loaf of simple carbs masquerading as something healthier. Check the ingredient list to make sure that whole grain is the first, and therefore main, ingredient. If not, you’re just getting a few grains mixed into white bread with none of the benefits of fiber-filled whole-grain bread.
9. Flavored Non-Dairy Milk
Vanilla caramel soy milk won’t win you any health points, but these types of flavored non-dairy milk will certainly add to your grocery bill. If you prefer non-dairy milk for dietary reasons, then stick to unsweetened versions of almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. And if you’re just trying to eat healthily, then stick to skimmed milk.
10. Protein Bars
These calorie-laden bars are usually stacked at the checkout counter because they fool impulse buyers into thinking they are more wholesome than a candy bar.
Unfortunately, they can have a very high fat and sugar content, are often as calorific as a regular candy bar, and they’re also two to three times more expensive. If you need a boost, a piece of fruit, a yogurt, or a small handful of nuts will contain more nutrients, be more satiating, and be less expensive.
Here at Phen.com, we promote healthy eating, which means eliminating these types of overly processed foods in favor of fresh foods rich in nutrients, protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
