45. Sweetened yogurt
I scream, you scream, we all scream for … yogurt?
While yogurt is often touted as a healthy breakfast choice, the devil is in the details, or in this case, the ingredients list.
Take a single-serving, foil-topped cup of Yoplait’s mixed berry yogurt as an example. Their website states that while the first ingredient is cultured, reduced-fat milk, the second is sugar.
The serving size is six ounces, which has 150 calories, 28% of your recommended daily intake of added sugars, 20 grams of sugar in total and 10% of your daily carbohydrates.
The amount of sugar in the yogurt may make you feel energetic — for a while — but with that much sugar and not enough protein and carbs to balance it out, you might experience a sugar crash soon after eating.
According to Healthline, if you see just “sugar” on a food label, chances are it is table sugar — also known as sucrose. This variety is usually extracted from either sugar cane or sugar beets, and it comprises 50% glucose and 50% fructose.
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It may be nature’s Gatorade — as Women’s Health put it — but not all coconut waters are created equal.
Coconut water seems to be largely adored for its high electrolyte content, with one cup giving you 15% of your daily intake of potassium, which is an important nutrient for kidney and muscle function, according to Healthline.
One of the most well-known brands, Vita Coco — which has a substantial TikTok following and has made appearances at Coachella — has a variety of flavors on offer. But, watch out for their creeping calories.
While its original coconut water clocks in at a respectable 45 calories per serving and only 4% of your recommended daily intake of carbohydrates, the fruity flavors like pineapple and peach-mango have 60 calories and 14-15 grams of sugar.
Many people turn to coconut water to help them rehydrate after a long session at the gym, but because it has less carbs and sodium than sports drinks, it might not give you the energy boost you’re craving after the kettle bells.
It is also not recommended for people with a history of kidney disease, according to a dietician at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center who warns that too much of the potassium in coconut water can be harmful.
43. Spicy tuna rolls
While sashimi, which are the plain slices of fish served at Japanese restaurants, and many other types of sushi can be pretty healthy, the spicy tuna roll is not.
The spicy mayo packs a punch, but it also punches up the amount of saturated fat and has about double the calories of other rolls.
Usually, restaurant sushi rolls are made with white rice, which, according to Healthline, has a higher sugar content than brown. Sushi rice is also prepared in a way that often sees sugar and vinegar added to boiling water as it’s cooking.
Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky says that sushi has a “halo of being healthy” — and there is psychological data, such as a report published by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, to back up the idea that if we think something is healthy, we will eat more of it.
Have as many spicy tuna rolls as you want, just know what you’re getting into when you order.
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Soy milk has a persistent reputation as a healthy choice when compared to animal dairy.
But, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, most soy grown in the U.S. is GMO — in 2018, 94% of all soybeans planted in the country were genetically modified.
What GMO means, simply, is that some part of its biology has been tweaked by science, and usually with soy it indicates that a herbicide-resistant gene has been added to the mix, so that the farmers can use herbicides on their weeds, but not kill their harvest.
By definition, something that is GMO can’t be organic, and conventional or non-organic soy has been proven to be disruptive to our endocrine and hormonal systems, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The National Library of Medicine cautions that people in certain stages of development, specifically children and people with certain health conditions, should be careful in how much soy they ingest.
Beyond the way it is grown, soy milk is often sweetened — yes, even the original flavor — and popular brand Silk’s chocolate and very vanilla flavors have 14 and 15 grams of added sugar per serving, respectively.
41. Organic snacks
An article by the University of California, Davis Health Department says that the key difference between an organic vegetable and a conventional one is that the organic vegetable has not been treated with any pesticides or growth hormones, which can lead to health issues.
Regardless, the term has become a problematic buzzword in the health food industry.
In order to use the USDA organic label, processed or multi-ingredient food must contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and in most cases they must use organic ingredients.
Certain snacks throw the word around for marketing purposes, but they don’t necessarily qualify by this definition. Watch for snack foods that have long lists of ingredients, and if you can, choose the simplest version of the food you’re going for — like pistachios, instead of pistachio bites.
Beware of packaging that says “organic” or “natural” or that uses too much adspeak. Instead, look for the proper certification stamps, and be warned that an organic potato chip or chocolate bar is probably going to have the same fat content as its conventional version.
40. Egg whites
Egg whites, and their omelets, have long been called the healthy alternative to eating the whole egg — since 1968, according to the National Library of Science.
For admittedly good reasons, they have consistently been recommended for people on low-cholesterol diets, but arguments for the health benefits of egg yolks have ramped up since the mid-1990s.
Mayo Clinic issued a reminder that while egg yolks are naturally high in cholesterol, they don’t seem to increase our cholesterol levels in the same way that foods high in saturated or trans fats do.
In general, by separating out the yolks from your breakfast, you are missing out on a raft of nutritional components, like vitamins B12 and D.
Research via the National Library of Science also says that yolks contain nutrients like phosvitin, which reduces the number of compounds in your body that cause inflammation, and peptides, which reduce blood pressure.
If you don’t have a specific medical condition that prohibits you from eating yolks, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy whole eggs as part of a healthy diet.
39. Turkey bacon
People often believe that turkey bacon is a healthy choice because it has less fat than its porcine brethren.
That’s not necessarily the case.
The USDA has confirmed that turkey bacon has fewer calories (382 per 100 gram serving) than pork-based bacon (541 for the same amount). But, in order to get it to taste like traditional bacon, it is often loaded with artificial colors, sodium and nitrates to preserve its shelf life.
A report by The International Agency for the Research of Cancer concluded that nitrates are “probably carcinogenic.”
Ingredients in Butterball’s turkey bacon include sodium erythorbate — which helps the nitrates break down and adds the pink color — and potassium acetate — which is considered by preventative health care site 1Source to be “acceptable” for human consumption.
1Source gives nitrates a potential risk index of nine out of 10, meaning to “use only as directed.” Nitrates also have a veritable laundry list of potential health risks.
38. Couscous
Many people associate couscous with other whole grains, like bulgur or barley, which are high sources of fiber and full of complex vitamins. But as The Washington Post points out, couscous is not quite a whole grain, and not quite a pasta.
In its simplest form, couscous is made by rolling coarsely ground semolina and water together by hand in order to make little balls. Typically arriving on grocery shelves dried, steaming is a common method of preparing couscous.
An article by The Spruce explains that semolina is a refined grain — not whole — and is high in gluten.
According to Healthline, while couscous is delicious and a staple of many different cuisines and while it definitely has some significant benefits, you shouldn’t eat it thinking you are getting a high-fiber, low-glucose whole grain.
37. Instant oatmeal
If you’re looking for a quick breakfast option and you’re considering a packet of oatmeal, this is your warning that you might as well have a doughnut — seriously.
In terms of calories, the two items are almost on par; Krispy Kreme’s famous plain doughnut has 190 calories and a package of Quaker’s maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal has 160.
While the oatmeal has more fiber and significantly less fat than the doughnut, the two quick breakfasts have almost the same amount of sugar — 12 grams of total sugar in the oatmeal, and 10 grams in the Krispy Kreme.
Looking at the ingredients list, the doughnut itself (minus the glaze) lists sugar in last place, while the oatmeal has sugar in second. Also take into consideration that the doughnut has only 85 milligrams of sodium while the oatmeal contains a whopping 260.
Just get the doughnut. You only live once.
36. Prepackaged salads
We’ve all done it. You’re looking for something easy and healthy in the grocery store, and grab a couple pre-made salad kits to take home. But, the preparation that goes into manufacturing those kits means their contents are not as healthy as you think.
The components going into that bag of salad have to be mechanically sorted and processed, which can damage their nutritional content, according to a 2018 article by CNN.
Pay attention to whether the label says the greens in your salad are pre-washed. Pre-washing can rob the vegetables of water-soluble vitamins, such as B vitamin folate and vitamin C.
And watch out for salads that have the dressing already added. Consumer Reports spoke with a registered dietitian who warned that most of the calories, sodium and fats in a salad lie in the dressing.
Consumer Reports also suggests that in order to eat that healthy salad you’ve been craving, you should take the time to buy the ingredients separately and do it yourself. Sure, it’s less convenient, but the vegetables will last longer in your fridge, you’ll get a healthier meal out of it, and it’s a cost-effective alternative.
35. Nutella
This beloved chocolate spread might be a staple in your pantry, but it really shouldn’t be slapped onto your toast (or eaten straight off a spoon) with regularity.
Just take a look at the ingredients label — the first components listed are sugar and palm oil, even before hazelnuts. Nutella is 58% sugar and 32% fat, says The Guardian.
If you really want that sugar kick in the mornings, consider going with a fruit jam instead. Or make your own hazelnut chocolate spread at home — you can find healthier recipes online, including some vegan and oil-free options.
34. Cup Noodles
Any college student can tell you instant noodles are quick, convenient and delicious — but health experts say they’re to be avoided.
Nissin’s Cup Noodles contain 1,160 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of fat (with 5 grams of saturated fat) in each container. That’s over half your recommended daily salt intake, according to the American Heart Association.
You’re better off making your ramen from scratch, with store-bought noodles and a flavorful but nutritious broth with veggies and meats of your choice. It’ll take longer to make, but will probably fill your stomach better than the overly salty instant noodles.
You can make buying your own healthier ingredients even more rewarding using an app called Fetch. Just take a photo of your receipt from any store and you will earn points, rewards and receive special offers
33. Cool Whip
Kraft’s Cool Whip might taste like the sweetest and fluffiest of clouds, but it’s not the real deal.
The imitation whipped cream (also called whipped topping) is sold frozen and has a longer shelf life than your traditional whipped cream. But two of its main ingredients include hydrogenated vegetable oil and high fructose corn syrup.
Healthline says hydrogenation creates trans fats, which some studies have associated with heart, blood sugar and inflammatory issues.
High fructose corn syrup is sweeter than sugar and gets absorbed by your body faster.
32. Margarine
Butter has repeatedly come under fire for its high saturated fat content, but its copycat margarine could be even worse.
While butter is made from animal fat, margarine comes from vegetable oils — which could be solidified through hydrogenation, which in turn produces trans fats. Some margarine brands may also contain emulsifiers, colorants and other additives.
Healthline says most margarine types, like soybean oil-based margarine, are high in polyunsaturated fats. They’re considered much healthier than saturated fat, but they don’t seem to have any significant effect on lowering the risk of death from heart disease.
31. Wonder Classic white bread
Wonder Classic white bread might pair well with your BLT, but it’s loaded with sugar — 5 grams for every two slices, in fact.
On the other hand, Wonder’s New York rye and whole wheat bread have 1 and 0 grams of sugar respectively for every slice.
Medical News Today says packaged white bread usually contains highly processed flour and additives and eating too much of it can help contribute to obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
White bread has little nutritional value with low amounts of fiber and protein.
30. Kraft singles
American cheese tastes nowhere near as good as the real thing, but those lurid orange squares were created for convenience.
They get packaged in neat little plastic wrappings so you don’t have to bother cutting a slice yourself (or worrying about their shelf life) and they ooze so delightfully out of a grilled cheese or burger.
Each slice contains 25% calcium, but critics have pointed out the high amount of preservatives and colorants that go into processing the cheese. There’s also 250 milligrams of sodium and 60 calories in a single slice.
29. Spam
The Spam craze really peaked during the World War II era, as it was both cheap and long-lasting, but the canned pork has remained on American store shelves and household pantries for decades since.
Spam is made up of just six ingredients — pork, water, salt, potato starch, sugar and sodium nitrate — but it also contains 790 milligrams of sodium and 16 grams of fat in a single serving.
Some research suggests consuming high levels of sodium nitrate could be linked to diseases such as stomach and pancreatic cancers, heart disease and lymphoma.
28. Pop-Tarts
This toasted pastry with its sweet, jelly-like filling, slathered with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles, is more dessert than breakfast.
There are 30 grams of sugar, 9 grams of fat and 370 calories in every two Frosted Strawberry pastries. Ingredients include enriched flour, high fructose corn syrup, soybean and palm oil (with TBHQ), bleached white flour and some artificial colorants.
“Enriched flour” doesn’t mean what you think it does — Forbes says the nutrients get stripped from the flour, leaving you with a sugar spike and crash.
Tert-Butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, is used to keep foods fresh longer and has been associated with liver enlargement, neurotoxic effects, convulsions and paralysis in studies with lab animals.
27. Kraft macaroni and cheese
Kraft’s mac ’n’ cheese might no longer be produced with any artificial flavors, dyes or preservatives, but the boxed pasta with powdered cheese still isn’t super healthy for you.
One prepared serving contains over 700 milligrams of sodium, 11 grams of fat and 350 calories and there’s very little fiber or nutrients.
It’s promoted as an easy, microwaveable dinner — which can sway you into making it far more often than you should (or consuming more than one bowl at a time).
A recent class-action lawsuit also alleges that the product contains chemicals that have been linked to asthma, allergies, obesity and hormone interference in children.
26. Frozen pizza
Carbs, cheese and fat — pizza is delicious, but no one eats pizza for their health. And the frozen kind you can pick up at the grocery store could be even worse.
They’re usually highly processed and contain artificial preservatives, added sugar and unhealthy fats, according to Healthline. They also tend to be quite salty.
For example, one serving of Red Baron’s Classic Crust Pepperoni Pizza is loaded with 18 grams of fat, 8 grams of sugar and 810 milligrams of sodium.
You’re probably better off ordering a fresh pie, or making it yourself at home.
25. Potato chips
Potato chips are bad for you, make no mistake about it. They’re salty and fatty and yet deceptively light — tricking you into eating more and more when you need a small snack.
For example, Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion flavor packs 160 calories, 10 grams of fat and 160 milligrams of sodium for every 28 grams of chips.
Instead of grabbing that bag of chips, buy more fruits and veggies. Some experts also recommend putting your chips in a hard-to-reach place, while placing your healthier snacks close at hand.
24. Chicken nuggets
What kid (or adult) doesn’t love their chicken nuggies? The Wall Street Journal once said “few foods are as unhealthy and insidious as the chicken nugget,” for good reason.
50 to 60% of calories in a nugget comes from fat alone, thanks to all the breading and deep-frying and fillers and fats that go into its processing.
White meat, dark meat and chicken skin get ground together to form a sort of pink sludge, while fillers help the stuff retain its shape so it can get breaded and dunked in boiling oil.
Make your own homemade breaded tenders instead — slice your chicken breast into strips, give them a good breading with bread crumbs and flour and then pan fry the chicken on the stove.
23. Lunchables
This beloved ’90s “meal” for school kids usually features a few crackers, slices of ham and processed cheese — and a sweet treat for afterwards, of course. It’s since been maligned by health critics for its minimal nutritional value.
In fact, Geoffrey Bible, former C.E.O. of Philip Morris (which was part of Lunchables' parent company Kraft), once told The New York Times that he read an article that said, “If you take Lunchables apart, the most healthy item in it is the napkin.”
Of course, you won’t find a napkin in a Lunchable package anymore — they were later removed for adding to production costs.
22. Sugary cereals
You know exactly what we’re talking about. Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, Cap’n Crunch and Cocoa Puffs — these popular breakfast options from your childhood packed enough sugar to get you pumped for school.
One cup of Honey Smacks cereal contains even more sugar than the average glazed doughnut, with 18 grams per serving (this figure increases when you add milk).
Starting your day with a sugary breakfast cereal can increase your blood sugar and insulin levels, making your body crave another high-carb meal once it wears off, according to Healthline.
21. Hot dogs
Like most processed meats, the hot dog is high in saturated fats, which get linked to heart disease. You’d best avoid adding it to your grocery cart, or grabbing one of those $1.50 hot dog/soda combos from the Costco food court.
One Oscar Mayer Classic Beef Uncured hot dog has 360 milligrams of sodium and 12 grams of fat alone — and once you pile all those toppings (who doesn’t love a chilli cheese dog?) you’ll be hurting your body even more.
Some hot dogs may also contain nitrates and nitrites to help lengthen their shelf life, which have been associated with an increased risk of some cancers, according to a BBC report.
20. Pretzels
Simple carbs studded with salt? Pretzels aren’t the healthiest of snacks, even though they’re pretty low in salt and calories.
They’re not even redeemable when you compare them to your traditional “bad” snacks, like potato chips.
“In a side-by-side comparison, 1 ounce of pretzels raised blood sugar higher than 1 ounce of potato chips,” David Grotto, dietician and author of The Best Things You Can Eat, told WebMD.
If you still crave the bite-sized snack but want to watch your salt intake and blood sugar levels, your best bet would either be unsalted or whole wheat pretzels.
19. Smartfood white cheddar popcorn
Don’t let the brand name fool you — you aren’t necessarily making the “smarter” choice by opting for this air-tossed popcorn dusted in white cheddar.
Air-popped popcorn is certainly healthier than steeping your kernels in oil, but that doesn’t mean Smartfood doesn’t add any oil to the snack — vegetable oil is the second ingredient on the list after the corn, just check the back of the bag.
This addictive snack isn’t as sugary as the caramel variety, but it’s still high in sodium and fat. Make your popcorn at home instead with whole corn kernels, but avoid too much butter and salt.
18. Mega Stuf Oreos
OK, Oreos are bad enough — not to mention the Double Stuf iteration — but Mega Stuf takes you to a whole new level, with even more white frosting sandwiched between the two chocolate cookies.
Every two cookies are loaded with 180 calories, 9 grams of fat and 17 grams of sugar. Compare that to regular, old Oreos, which include 160 calories, 7 grams of fat and 14 grams of sugar for every three cookies.
Good luck trying to resist temptation with a packet of Mega Stuf Oreos — Forbes reported in 2013 that Oreos can be as addictive to your brain as cocaine after a study on rats was released.
17. Fruit Roll-Ups
This iconic snack isn’t as healthy as it sounds — the sweet strips are fruit-flavored, but don’t actually contain much fruit in them.
One small roll of the Strawberry Sensation type has 7 grams of sugar, and it used to include artificial coloring and flavorings for years before those were phased out.
Just stick with regular fruit. You’ll get far more nutritional value (and reduce your sugar intake) with a container of fresh strawberries instead.
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16. Cheetos
The popular cheese snack that leaves orange dust on your fingers every time you stick your hand into the bag includes artificial flavors and colorants.
They’re also incredibly addictive.
Food scientist Steven Witherly told The New York Times in 2013 that the cheese puff’s ability to quickly dissolve in your mouth was part of the problem. “It’s called vanishing caloric density. If something melts down quickly, your brain thinks that there’s no calories in it ... you can just keep eating it forever.”
Eating too much of the Flamin’ Hot variety can also lead to stomach irritation and can cause gastritis or inflammation.
15. Salad dressing
There’s nothing wrong with a light balsamic vinaigrette, but you could be undoing all the positive effects of eating your greens by dumping certain kinds of store-bought salad dressing all over it.
Harvard Health Publishing says bottled dressings are often rich in saturated fat, calories, sodium and added sugar. Think Thousand Island, Three Cheese or Buffalo Ranch.
Caesar salads are considered pretty unhealthy as well, just because of the dressing. Kraft’s Classic Caesar Salad Dressing has soybean oil as well as romano and parmesan cheese. Just 2 tablespoons of the stuff is loaded with 12 grams of fat and 300 milligrams of sodium.
14. Gummy bears
The only protein in these colorful treats come from all that gelatin — gummy bears are primarily made up of sugar.
Haribo’s Goldbears, for example, hold 6.9 grams of protein and 46 grams of sugar for every 100 grams of gummies you consume.
Even the sugar-free variety shouldn’t be eaten too often. Sugar-free gummy bears usually have sugar alcohols added to them instead — they have fewer calories than sugar and won’t affect your blood sugar levels as much — but some can have very unpleasant effects on your bowel movements.
13. Veggie sticks/straws
These light and crispy snacks aren’t as nutritious as you’d suppose — just eat your carrots and cucumbers raw instead.
While some brands get touted for their smaller fat content compared to potato chips, veggie straws still lack protein, fiber and nutrients. They’re also quite salty, and like potato chips, their airy texture and weight can trick you into eating more and more of them.
Veggie snack brand Sensible Portions says its veggie straws have “30% less fat than the leading potato chip” at 7 grams for every 38 straws, but they also have 220 milligrams of sodium.
You’d be better off with tortilla chips — the Tostitos Original chips have only 115 milligrams of sodium and 7 grams of fat in comparison.
12. Granola and cereal bars
Granola bars might provide you with a nice energy boost on your hikes or at work, but don’t dismiss all those added sugars.
Munching on just two of Nature Valley’s Oats and Honey granola bars ups your fat intake by 7 grams and your sugar intake by 11 grams.
The sugar-free variety that uses sugar alcohols instead can lead to some digestive issues if you consume too much of them.
Beware of the Clif Chocolate Brownie Bar — it’s more dessert than anything else. A single bar is loaded with 5 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar.
11. Store-bought smoothies
You might think a smoothie is the perfect way to get your fruits and veggies down — it’s both delicious and healthy, right?
Well, some health experts disagree.
The New York Times says commercially-prepared smoothies often contain extra sweeteners, like added sugar and honey, protein powder that’s often sweetened, or milk, yogurt or nut butters. These can all add to the calorie count.
Depending on what fruits are included, the natural sugar content can be exceedingly high without added sugars as well.
For example, one bottle of Naked Juice’s Green Machine, a melange of apple, mango, pineapple, banana and kiwi juices, has 53 grams of sugar already.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 36 grams of sugar per day for men and 25 grams for women.
10. Some trail mix varieties
Trail mix can be a delicious and healthy on-the-go snack, but watch what you’re buying.
Most types feature a medley of nuts, seeds, granola and dried fruit. Other versions may also include candy, popcorn and chocolate chips or added spices.
You can easily increase your calorie, salt and sugar intake by munching on one of these not-so-healthy varieties.
Take Emerald’s Breakfast on the Go! This snack pack includes yogurt-covered raisins, granola clusters, honey-roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, glazed walnuts and dried apple chips. One serving is loaded with 19 grams of sugar.
9. Gatorade
Sure, this sports drink was developed for athletes to replenish their electrolytes and fluids during strenuous exercise.
But, if you’re not an athlete and don’t exercise a lot, you should probably just stick to good old water.
Healthline advises that people who don’t exercise for at least one hour, five days a week should drink water instead and obtain their electrolytes from natural sources.
A single 12-ounce bottle of the Cool Blue Thirst Quencher has 160 milligrams of sodium and 21 grams of sugar in it already — making up a massive chunk of your recommended daily sugar intake. It also contains Blue 1, an artificial coloring agent.
8. Agave nectar
This plant-derived sweetener/syrup won’t impact your blood sugar levels like sugar will — which is why it’s often marketed as “healthy” or “diabetes-friendly” — but it does pose other harmful effects to the body.
Agave nectar is low in glucose, but very high in fructose. Consuming too much fructose can contribute to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to Healthline.
Your liver will start converting all that excess fructose into fat and this can potentially increase your “bad” cholesterol levels, your risk of fatty liver disease and belly fat accumulation.
7. Dried fruit
Raisins, dates, prunes and dried apricots — exactly how unhealthy are they for you, compared to regular fruits?
Experts say dried fruit can actually contain more fiber, vitamins and minerals than fresh fruit, but they also tend to be high in sugar. For example, one box of Sun-Maid California Sun-Dried raisins has 18 grams of sugar.
Avoid “candied fruit” or dried fruit with added sugars at all costs and read the fine print. The ingredients list on the back will usually tell you if they include extra sugar.
Ocean Spray’s Craisins, which are dusted in cane sugar, have 29 grams of sugar in total for every quarter-cup serving.
6. Some fruit cup snacks
There’s at least one kid in your class who brings a plastic fruit cup in for snack time. You know the kind — tiny fruit slices suspended in a thick, sweet jelly.
The Del Monte and Dole brands promise that some of their cups use real fruit juice only, but a few varieties include added sugars as well, so check the label first.
For example, one cup of the Dole peaches in 100% fruit juice has 18 grams of sugar. The peaches in a strawberry-flavored gel, however, include both natural and artificial flavors and packs 22 grams of sugar per cup.
Better yet, just stick to the real thing. One medium-sized peach has about 13 grams of sugar.
5. Diet soda
You’re likely already aware that downing a can of Coke or Pepsi each day isn’t very good for you. But, the diet versions of these sugary drinks are pretty bad as well.
Diet Coke, for example, has 0 grams of sugar and 0 calories. Crazy, right? That’s because it has aspartame, an artificial sweetener, instead of sugar.
Medical News Today says some studies have found correlations between drinking too much diet soda and increasing your risk for high blood pressure, fatty liver, diabetes and obesity. And some research suggests drinking diet soda regularly could make you crave sweet foods and drinks more often.
4. Meatless burger
The Beyond Meat and Impossible burger brands were heartily embraced by vegetarians and vegans when they became mainstream in grocery stores and restaurants.
Just keep in mind that while they’re a delicious meat-free option to a regular beef patty, that doesn’t make them healthy for you. One Beyond Meat burger patty is loaded with 260 calories, 18 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat and 350 milligrams of sodium.
In comparison, you can get a 93% lean ground beef patty with just 160 calories, 8 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat and 85 milligrams of sodium at Walmart instead.
3. Quaker rice crisps
Puffed rice snacks are light and airy and typically low in calories — but high in carbs and low in fiber, so they don’t provide much nutritional value.
The Quaker rice crisps, which come in various flavors, are made with corn and whole grain brown rice and are gluten-free. But make sure to read the nutritional information on the back of the bag before you toss it into your grocery cart.
The caramel flavored crisps have 240 milligrams of sodium and 10 grams of sugar for every 13 pieces. The buttermilk ranch variety racks up the salt content even further with 330 milligrams of sodium for every 17 crisps.
2. Spinach wraps and pasta
Not everything green is good — spinach wraps and pasta actually contain very little spinach, says health experts.
The Mission garden spinach herb wraps, for example, are loaded with 220 calories and 540 milligrams of sodium, with just 3 grams of fiber. The soft taco flour version has just 140 calories and 410 milligrams of sodium for comparison (although it also has only 1 gram of fiber).
Just add fresh spinach to your wrap or pasta dish instead. If you’re picking out tortillas, choose the 100% whole grain variety.
1. Canned baked beans
Baked beans aren’t necessarily unhealthy — in fact, they’re usually high in protein and fiber — but the canned variety typically adds in sugar, salt and other additives.
Just look at Bush’s Original Baked Beans, seasoned with bacon and brown sugar. One serving, or half a cup of beans, has 7 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, but also 570 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of sugar.
Healthline also mentions that many bean cans contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in their interior lining, which can potentially leach into your food. Some research suggests BPA can elevate your obesity risk and even reduce fertility.
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