We all lead busy lives, and it can be hard to remember to eat healthily. Sometimes, it’s easier to just grab food off the shelf, thinking only of the convenience and not of the nutritional value. Processed foods are always on-hand, which is why they make so much money for manufacturers. And they’ve saved us time and energy in the past. But, at what cost?
Many of the products on this list are staples of our daily diet, from Coke to Twinkies. However, if not eaten in strict moderation (or avoided completely) they can lead to long-term health problems, according to cardiologists and other professionals. Some of these products are clearly harmful, but because they’re lucrative moneymakers they stay on the shelves anyway. Others are less obvious, but when eaten in great quantities can have nasty side effects.
1. Diet Cola
Manufacturer: Various
Est. Price: $1.19 per can*
Diet cola portrays itself as a healthy alternative to regular cola. After all, it’s sugar-free! And, it has no calories. It’s often been the go-to drink for dieters everywhere. Though Mayo Clinic says that it is okay if consumed in minimal quantities, people who drink more than a can a day could be headed for some serious harm.
According to Healthline, studies have shown that diet colas aren’t so “diet’ after all. Artificial sweeteners can lead to chronic kidney disease, tooth decay (because of the acidic pH level), and an increased risk of osteoporosis, depression, and heart disease. More studies are needed to be 100% sure, but you might want to cut back on diet cola or avoid it totally.
2. Hot Dogs
Manufacturer: Oscar Mayer, Sabrett, Hebrew National, and more
Est. Price: $2.50-$6 per 12-pack*
Hot dogs are highly processed foods that contain many ingredients other than animal meat. Among them is maltodextrin, which, if consumed in excess, can cause damage to the intestines and stomach.
3. Breakfast Sandwiches
Manufacturer: Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Tim Horton’s, and more
Est. Price: $3-$5 per sandwich*
It might be tempting to quickly grab a breakfast sandwich from a fast-food restaurant like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Tim Horton’s. And, there’s no denying that these sandwiches are delicious. However, you could be doing your body a real disservice by eating one every day.
Though once in a while isn’t a problem, breakfast sandwiches are high in cholesterol. According to The Nutrition Twins, eating a fast-food breakfast sandwich three times a week can make you gain eight pounds a year, thanks to the three-hundred extra calories from the sandwich that you wouldn’t otherwise get if you stuck to eating at home. It makes you think twice about that McDonald’s McMuffin, doesn’t it?
4. American Cheese Slices
Manufacturer: Sandwich Mate, Kraft, Whitehall, and more
Est. Price: $3.99 per jar*
Imitation cheese often has misleading packaging. These products, instead of being made with ingredients like milk fat the way normal cheese is, have vegetable oils, trans fats, flavorings, and preservatives.
All of these ingredients make imitation cheeses much less healthy than real cheeses. You can identify imitation cheeses among other things, because they are considerably less expensive than real cheese.
5. Commercial Salad Dressings
Manufacturer: Newman’s Own, Hidden Valley, Wishbone, Kraft, and more
Est. Price: $2-$4 per bottle*
Vegetables are super healthy, but the problem is that a lot of them don’t exactly taste great on their own. You can make a super-deluxe salad, but it’ll be a little boring unless you add dressing. And that’s fine, but you might want to stay away from commercial salad dressings.
Many of them are loaded with vegetable oils, sugar, and trans fats, all of which are unhealthy. They also tend to contain artificial chemicals. These unhealthy ingredients take away from the benefits of the salad. Instead, try making your own salad dressing from olive oil, vinegar, and a dash of salt and pepper. Next time you’re shopping at Costco, take a harder look at the label.
6. Pre-Packaged Cupcakes
Manufacturer: Various
Est. Price: $2.99 per box*
Pre-packaged cupcakes are a delicious dessert, but their nutritional content will leave you with a very bad taste in your mouth. Sadly, most of these packs contain almost three times the recommended daily value of sugar.
Another ingredient is high fructose corn syrup, which can contribute to the development of high blood pressure or metabolic syndrome. Excessive consumption of this product can also cause obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver, among other gnarly diseases. Like anything else, these should be eaten in moderation.
7. Gummy Bears
Manufacturer: Haribo
Est. Price: $4.99 per pound*
Each bag of Gummy Bears contains just 0.2 pounds of gummies. However, this small amount hides the equivalent of 12 teaspoons of sugar. This is between two and three times the recommended daily intake for a child.
8. Instant Ramen
Manufacturer: Maruchan Soup
Est. Price: $0.13 per packet*
Maruchan Soup is a very popular meal for its affordable price, at just thirteen cents a packet. It’s also super-easy it is to prepare. However, due to its low fiber content, a serving of this soup is hardly going to satisfy you.
In addition, Maruchan Soup is very high in sodium: each container provides half the recommended daily value. Consuming this product frequently can cause problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, among other ailments.
9. Cheap Bread
Manufacturer: Various
Est. Price: $0.88 per loaf*
Cheap white bread is essential for making practical lunches to take to school and the office. It won’t break the bank, costing less than $1 per loaf. But one of the reasons why this product is consumed so frequently is that it can become addictive.
This is because it contains sugar, which helps in the fermentation process of bread. In addition, a lot of brands use a high amount of fat and salt that, in excess, can harm your health. Also, most of these loaves of bread do not have much fiber, so it will hardly make you full.
10. Pancakes
Manufacturer: Hungry Jack, Whole Foods, Mrs. Butterworth, and more
Est. Price: $2-$4 per box*
Although they are one of the favorite breakfasts of children and adults, pancakes are not particularly healthy. For starters, they tend to have high amounts of salt and preservatives that should be avoided in a balanced diet.
In addition, they usually contain trans fats, which increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Some of them also have partially hydrogenated soybean oil, which is not one of the healthiest fats out there. But, let’s face it, did any of us really think eating at iHop every day was good for our health?
11. Coconut Water
Manufacturer: Vita Coco, O.N.E., Zola, and more
Est. Price: $20 per 12-pack*
Sure, there are a lot of benefits to coconut water. It has electrolytes, and it is very hydrating. However, be careful of coconut water if you’re trying to count your calories. Like many sports drinks, coconut water has 45-60 calories per eight-ounce serving.
If it’s flavored, it might also be high in sugar. There is a third concern with coconut water, and that’s that it can cause your potassium levels to become too high. But, that’s only if you drink it in large amounts. Over-consumption of this beverage can also lead to stomach upset, so just watch how much you’re drinking or you might end up reaching for the Imodium.
12. Chewing Gum
Manufacturer: Trident, Dentyne, Wrigley, and more
Est. Price: $1-$3 per pack*
Many brands of chewing gum promote themselves by showing off their supposed benefits. Some promise fresh breath and even whiter, cleaner teeth. However, there are several oral problems that are associated with the consumption of this product.
Some gum can cause problems such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and jaw pain, especially if the gum has a high sugar content. Apart from that, there have also been reports of children who have suffered asphyxiation after misusing gum. Think carefully before you pick up a pack at Target’s checkout.
13. Chocolate-Covered Rice Cereal
Manufacturer: Various
Est. Price: $3.98 per box*
Chocolate-covered rice cereals are often advertised as a great option for the little ones to have breakfast. What is not advertised, of course, is that they are one of the most harmful cereals on the market.
A single serving of this cereal provides between 55 and 73% of the total sugar recommended for children in a day. In addition, many of these types also have colorants associated with the development of hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders.
14. Kids’ Yogurt Cups
Manufacturer: Various
Est. Price: $1.25 per cup*
Many brands promise to help children grow up healthy and strong, but the truth is very different. Yogurt cups aimed at kids are largely made up of sugar, fat, and artificial colorants, excessive consumption of which can lead to various health risks.
Among these risks are diabetes, metabolic and heart problems, and obesity. As if that were not enough, the excess fat that some of these products contain can become carcinogenic. So, although there may be plenty of calcium in them, it’s worth weighing up the risks!
15. Hot Sauce
Manufacturer: Valentina Mexican, Cholula, Frank’s Red Hot, Tabasco, and more
Est. Price: $1-$3 per bottle*
There is no doubt that hot sauce is one of the most popular condiments out there. Due to its versatile flavor, it can be used in a myriad of dishes, from simple snacks to more elaborate meals. There isn’t a single meal that can’t be made more exciting via the addition of hot sauce.
But although the hotness of this sauce is the entire appeal, it can also damage our stomach lining and cause gastritis. The most sensible thing to do is to consume this product in moderation and take into account the negative effects it can have on our health – even if it can be bought at a bargain price on Amazon!
16. Coffee
Manufacturer: Starbucks, Folger’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Market Pantry, and more
Est. Price: $2.99 per cup*
Coffee is undoubtedly one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. People love to drink it, and many can’t imagine starting their morning without a hot (or iced) cup. But while it can give you the energy to start the day, its excessive consumption can also damage your health.
Too much coffee consumption can cause problems such as sleep disorders or headaches. This drink can also easily worsen anxiety problems, and in the long term, it can even lead to cardiovascular issues. Starbucks makes hundreds of millions a year though, because coffee is also addictive.
17. Meat
Manufacturer: Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, and more
Est. Price: $4-$10 per pound*
You have probably heard that meat is part of a healthy, balanced diet. However, excessive consumption of this meat is also a health risk. A lot of meat on the market today contains pesticides that are consumed by the animals, which remain in their bodies for us to consume.
Most red meat also contains hormones and antibiotics that are given to the animals to accelerate their growth. The factory farming process often uses hormones like testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone on its cattle, which then trickles down to humans, causing problems. Fish, aren’t any better, as they can contain heavy metals such as mercury. But still, that doesn’t stop companies like Tyson Foods making billions.
18. Flavored Popcorn
Manufacturer: The Popcorn Factory, Market Pantry, Popcorn Shed, Orville’s, and more
Est. Price: $3-$5 per bag*
Natural popcorn can be a tasty and healthy snack, as it’s low in calories. Sadly, the ones that are sold ready-made in the supermarket are almost the opposite, especially since they have artificial flavorings. For example, caramel popcorn can be incredibly high in sugar and fat.
A bag, even a small one, of caramel popcorn can contain 12.8 tablespoons of sugar and up to 564 calories. There is no doubt that preparing this snack at home and keeping it unflavored is a much better option than buying it. Disney movies are just as good, no matter the snack!
19. Honey
Manufacturer: Various
Est. Price: $4+*
Honey is a great, natural food product that has many benefits to it. It’s high in antioxidants, can help a sore throat, and even heal cuts. While honey really is a superfood, it still has an incredibly high sugar content which means it should be consumed in moderation.
20. Peanut Butter
Manufacturer: JIFF, Skippy’s, 365, Market Pantry, and more
Est. Price: $2-$5 per jar*
Peanut butter is high in calories and protein, and it is a common snack for people who are trying to avoid a lot of carbs. The fat in peanut butter is mostly healthy, though note that peanuts do have some saturated fat. Saturated fat can lead to heart issues when it is consumed over a long period of time.
Antarasingh