Top 20 Health Foods That Are Actually Bad For You

“Gluten free” is one of those buzzy terms that makes a food item sound super healthy. If it’s “free” of something, that makes it better, right? Well, not exactly. It’s true that if you have a gluten intolerance of any kind, then you should absolutely stick to gluten free options. The thing is, modern research suggests a very low percentage of Americans suffer from celiac disease. For the rest of us without this or any other gluten-intolerance, ordering the gluten free option isn’t doing much good, as they often have the same effect on your body as their gluten-filled counterpart. In fact, food manufacturers often add a lot of unhealthy fillers like sugars and fats to simulate the effects of gluten.

This meat alternative is a quick solution for both seasoned vegetarians and those wanting to avoid red meat at their next BBQ. But don’t be fooled: meat-free doesn’t always mean healthy. While veggie burgers might be lower in calories and fat than their meat-based counterparts, many commercial brands are not actually all that high in veggie content, and instead are packed with chemicals, preservatives, unhealthy oils or fillers to make them more burger-like. If you really want a healthy alternative, avoid the processing by making your own with beans and grains or just use a big Portobello mushroom instead.

This is a cute term for frozen yogurt, which is intended to make the snack sound fancier and healthier than it actually is. Frozen yogurt is essentially just ice cream, only a bit more tart, lower in fat, and sometimes containing some potentially beneficial bacteria. But just because it’s lower in fat doesn’t mean it’s healthy. It’s still loaded with sugar, especially when you add all the yummy accoutrements. It can also be more processed than ice cream, especially with non-fat varieties adding things like cellulose and carrageenan. When it comes to froyo, it really depends on what kind you get; it can be a decent treat if you put the effort in. But most of the time, it’s just ice cream.

#17: Sports Drinks

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We’ve all seen the advertising that claims these products will help you rehydrate after a killer workout. And, thanks to their added electrolytes like sodium or potassium, they might just do that. However, we said a killer workout; we did not say a leisurely stroll around the block with your dog. Due to their often high calorie counts, these beverages are often not worth it for non-athletes. Plus, with those artificial dyes they add to create the drinks’ vibrant appearances and the often mounds of added sugar, you’re more often than not just better off sticking with high-quality H20.

#16: Trail Mix

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This beautiful and tasty concoction is a favorite of hikers, runners, and bodybuilders. It usually contains some combination of nuts (often peanuts), dried fruit, and oats or granola. Basically, a lot of carb, protein and fat-rich food that provides a burst of energy. It’s a great, although sometimes high-calorie snack - provided you make it yourself. Store bought trail mixes are often loaded with added sugars and sodium, which is the last thing you need on a long, hot walk in the blazing sun. Various brands also contain chocolate candy like M&Ms, which obviously isn’t very healthy. When it comes to trail mix, you should really just make your own - and stick to the natural, unsalted dried fruit and nuts.

Like “gluten free,” “organic” has become a healthy buzzword in recent years. “Organic” essentially means “natural,” and isn’t natural always better? The only thing is, “organic” is not necessarily interchangeable with “natural.” Organic foods can still contain artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, and also ingredients that are virtually identical to their non-organic counterparts (like sugar and organic raw cane sugar). Certification standards for organic can also vary. This is all made especially worse when it comes to “processed organic food.” Remember - just because it’s labeled organic doesn’t necessarily make it healthier (although sometimes it may be). In fact, you’re often paying outrageous prices for a product that is virtually identical to the regular thing.

While they seem harmless, they can add inches to your waistline and pounds to the scale if consumed on the regular. Don’t let their plain appearance fool you: depending on how they’re made, bran muffins can pack as much sugar as a doughnut. But the worst part of this seemingly smart snack? Portion size: restaurant or store-bought bran muffins are often far bigger than those your grandmother made, and therefore the golden rule of moderation falls by the wayside. Add an extra smear of jam or butter to the mix and you’ve got one healthy-looking snack that is anything but. The smart alternative is to just make your own.

#13: Protein Bars

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Like trail mix, protein bars are a favorite for bodybuilders, as it provides a yummy and convenient dose of protein. But if you’re looking to ingest pure protein, you’re really better off just buying a tub of the good stuff. Protein bars often come equipped with high-fructose corn syrup, crazy amounts of sugar, trans fats, and unhealthy fillers, making them little more than funny-tasting chocolate bars. You’re arguably doing more harm than good by eating these after every workout. If you want a good source of protein without shelling out for the expensive stuff, stick to healthier and more natural options like eggs, beans, fish, and legumes.

It’s a trap that many people fall into - you’re looking for a healthy option for lunch, so you grab one of the prepared salads from a supermarket or a fast food joint. Salad is healthy, there’s no doubt about that. But not take-out salads. A simple pre-packaged salad can contain up to 1,000 calories, which is largely owing to ingredients like cheese, meat, and croutons, not to mention the salad dressing that is loaded with trans fats and sugar. The meat, croutons, and cheese also contain a ton of sodium to help boost the flavor of the salad. If you’re looking for a healthy take out salad, opt for one without the fancy fixings. And throw away the dressing.

#11: Dried Fruit

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But… It’s fruit; how bad can it be? Well, these bite-sized morsels are considered a healthy alternative to chips or candy. In reality, though, sometimes that’s deceptive, as they can be processed and full of preservatives and artificial sweeteners. Plus, since dried food is so easy to eat, you’ll eat more. Have you ever considered eating a dozen apricots in one sitting? Probably not, but you probably wouldn’t hesitate to eat that many dried. Banana chips are the worst offenders, however, because they’re often deep fried like regular potato chips. You’re better off grabbing fresh fruit next time you’ve got a craving for something sweet.

These ersatz potato chips are made with thinly sliced vegetables, or just potatoes and vegetable powders, which are then either deep fried or baked until crispy. If you own a dehydrator, it’s best to make your own vegetable chips to ensure proper production. If made correctly, veggie chips can be a very healthy alternative to regular potato chips. Unfortunately, most store-bought brands (other brands are far better, and are just actual vegetables), are composed mostly of potato starch and corn flour, and they are both fried and heavily salted to increase flavor. In the end, many mass-produced veggie chips are nothing more than regular potato chips or crisps or crackers coated in a colorful veggie powder.

Mixing some fruits and veggies in a blender seems like a healthy option for a quick snack or a vitamin-boosting beverage on-the-go, but be warned: depending how they’re made, these drinks can pack tons of calories and sugar that might not leave you feeling satisfied for long. Yes, the fruit’s healthy, but added sugary fruit juice, scoops of sorbet, and frozen yogurt will all contribute to your waistline and cheat you out of nutritious vitamins to carry you through your day. You might even find that some ready-made versions pack as much of a caloric punch as soda, so making your own with quality ingredients is definitely the way to go.

This is a product that is often touted as a “healthy” butter substitute. Fun fact - margarine was developed in France in the 19th century, and was used a lot by both the armed forces and poorer citizens. And while it can be as healthy or arguably healthier than butter (this is a very contentious issue), many margarine brands contain loads of truly terrible and unhealthy trans fats, which greatly increase blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. In fact, the Framingham Heart Study found that those who replaced butter with margarine were more likely to die from heart disease. So if you choose margarine over butter, be sure to get one without trans fats.

#7: ‘Fat-Free’ Products

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Fat is bad, right? Then fat-free must always be a good thing. Well, neither of those statements is actually necessarily true. The science is in flux, and there are many healthy fats, like salmon, which have a place in a balanced diet. But, of course, since a low-fat diet is advocated for by many health authorities, fat-free foods must be a godsend... but they’re not. Many products bearing this label are highly processed, with chemicals and artificial flavors inserted to amp up their taste. Even worse, fat-free doesn’t mean calorie-free, so it’s best to educate yourself about their ingredients and nutritional properties to see if they’re really worth eating.

#6: Energy Bars

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These packaged treats claim to be packed with vitamins and nutrition, but have been referred to as “glorified candy bars” by many of the world’s leading voices in the health community. It’s their use of unhealthy add-ons like white flour, saturated fats and added sugars that make these so-called health foods unhealthy; plus, most of them don’t even boast as much fiber as you might think. One bar might satisfy a craving, but it can add an additional 400 calories to your day. Even as a pre-workout snack, it seems this health food is better left on the shelf.

You have the option of buying soda or some type of fruit juice. Logic tells you that the healthier option is the fruit juice. And while it is the healthier option, it’s not exactly healthy. At all. A lot of the cheap fruit juice you see in supermarkets is really just fruit-flavored sugar water, as there’s no actual fruit to be found within them. But even “real” fruit juice is loaded with sugar, and all the benefits of the actual fruit (like the fiber) have been stripped clean. You’re getting all the negatives of fruit and none of the benefits. In the end, fruit juices are likely to leave you feeling tired, hungry, and irritable, owing to their high sugar content.

Sure, we know those sugary cereals packed with marshmallows are unhealthy. But surely those brands filled with bran and grains make for a good start to your day? Well, our advice is: always read the labels carefully for this go-to breakfast option. In many cases they are produced in ways that diminish most or any potential nutrition, and many cereals are also full of sugar and refined carbohydrates that will lead you on a one-way street towards a mid-day sugar crash. Granola, on the other hand, is relatively healthy in terms of its fiber, mineral and vitamin contents; but it can pack a huge punch fat- and sugar-wise, so moderation is key.

As is the case with frozen yogurt, regular yogurt varies wildly depending on what kind or brand you buy, and how you eat it. Plain, natural yogurt is great, and it’s a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins, and probiotics. However, not all yogurt is equal, and some of the cheaper options may come loaded with additives, flavoring, and high sugar content. And forget about yogurt parfaits, as these contain fruit syrup and sugar-rich granola. The result is a crazy amount of sugar and carbs that all but negate the positive effects of the yogurt itself, and will have you crashing within the hour.

Like fat-free products, skim and low-fat milk purport to be healthy options for those trying to lose weight and stay healthy. And some health nuts have vilified full-fat milk as an extravagance that has no place in a healthy diet. But be warned: regular milk may be healthier for you on the whole than its lower-fat counterparts. Some science suggests whole milk may, ironically, be better for a person’s overall cholesterol levels, even though non-fat milk has less cholesterol. Plus, important vitamins like A, D, E and K are much more prominent in the full-fat variety, so perhaps best to guzzle an ice-cold glass of whole milk to maximize the nutritional value.

There’s a rule-of-thumb that suggests you shouldn’t drink your calories. Great advice, and diet soda is a great option to avoid wasting your daily caloric intake on liquid, right? Wrong. While sugar-free diet soda is an option for those with diabetes, it’s best to be avoided by those of us without the disease because it boasts no redeeming health qualities. Worse than that, these drinks contain tons of additives, chemicals, and dyes. With some studies potentially linking consumption of diet soda to obesity and other issues, this is one so-called health food you should avoid.