People worldwide dedicate time and effort to maintaining health and fitness. Besides exercising, diet is a crucial factor influencing fitness levels. The food you consume directly impacts your health. As individuals begin their fitness journey, they aim to eat healthy foods, yet not all available options are truly beneficial. Numerous foods added to diet plans may appear healthy, but in reality, they are not. We have compiled a list of 50 foods that might appear healthy but should not be included in your diet plan.
Foods That Are Free of Gluten
Many individuals are sensitive to gluten, making gluten-free foods ideal for them. However, if your goal is to lose weight and stay fit, gluten-free foods might not be the best choice. Contrary to popular belief, gluten-free products are often more processed and contain more carbohydrates and sugar than those with gluten. Therefore, if you aim to reduce calorie intake, concentrating only on the gluten-free aspect of any given food item will not be beneficial.
Salad Dressing with Reduced Fat
Salad is widely considered to be one of the healthiest food options available. If you look online for healthy eating habits, salad will definitely be mentioned. Although low-fat salad dressing appears healthy because of its reduced fat content, some ingredients in the dressing contain a considerable amount of sugar, which can contribute to weight gain. You might believe you are consuming something healthy, but in reality, you may end up taking in as much fat as you would from your regular diet.
Granola is a breakfast or snack food consisting of rolled oats, nuts, honey, or other sweeteners such as brown sugar, and sometimes puffed rice, that is usually baked until crisp.
Granola has become known as a health food, but this might be due to misinformation. It’s undeniable that granola is actually quite nutritious and can offer some health benefits. However, the granola available in stores today often contains a significant amount of sugar and butter, which can be problematic for those aiming to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. Therefore, before purchasing granola, it is advisable to review the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging. You might be consuming more calories with granola rather than cutting them.
Vegetable Green Juice
Green vegetable juice is regarded as one of the healthiest drinks available. It’s undeniable that green vegetables are full of nutrients, but people often add fruits to green veggie juice to make it sweeter. Unfortunately, these fruits contain sugar and could add calories to your body instead of helping to burn them. Therefore, if you’re aiming for a healthy drink, opt for a vegetable-only juice without adding fruits.
Bread made from whole wheat flour
People aiming to lose weight often replace regular bread with whole wheat bread, assuming it’s healthier. However, this isn’t always true. Many whole wheat breads contain sugar, molasses, and corn syrup, which can sabotage your fitness goals. If you want to include bread in your diet, choose sprouted bread, as it doesn’t have high sugar content.
Soup in a can
If it’s canned, it’s likely highly processed, and processed foods are often loaded with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Many canned soup brands promote their products as a great addition to a diet plan, but that’s not true. These canned soups can actually undermine days of workout and exercise efforts.
Next time you purchase canned soup, be sure to examine the ingredients. You might be surprised by what you discover.
Bars containing protein
Many people often mistake health foods for muscle-building foods. Protein bars are a prime example; they’re considered healthy but aren’t necessarily so. There are certain foods that a professional nutritionist might include in your diet plan, but their purpose might differ from what you assume. If a nutritionist includes protein bars in your diet, you might think they’re healthy, while the nutritionist may have added them to help build muscle. This means you shouldn’t eat protein bars all day, assuming they benefit your health. Most of these bars are loaded with sugar and can contribute a significant number of calories to your body. So, when you eat a protein bar, you’re not only consuming protein but also taking in extra calories that you don’t need.
Yogurt with added flavors
Flavored yogurt can be just as harmful as ice cream. It contains a lot of sugar, which can negate weeks of exercise efforts. You may have noticed dieters consuming large quantities of yogurt, believing it aids in weight loss. However, this is not true. In fact, flavored yogurt can make things worse. Besides the sugar, the artificial flavors and colors can also negatively impact your health.
Dehydrated Fruits
When you begin your diet, many people around you will advise you to carry a jar of dried fruits. The belief is that dried fruits are nutritious and can help satisfy your hunger, reducing the desire to eat high-calorie foods. The issue is that many dried fruits available in the market today are processed and have an added layer of sugar on them. Sugar is something you should avoid if you are focused on maintaining fitness and health, so you should steer clear of such dried fruits.
Food that has been preserved by freezing
In the recent decade, the popularity of healthy frozen meals has risen. However, these frozen products are not as nutritious as they seem. To enhance taste, salt and sugar are added to these meals. They are convenient to prepare and portable for long trips, but these are their only benefits. They do not provide any health advantages.
11. Snacks made from fruit
People worldwide enjoy snacks. If you’re trying to lose weight, you might believe that fruit snacks offer a healthy option. However, they’re not as beneficial as you might think. They lack the nutrients found in real fruits and are high in calories, so they should be avoided.
Salads from Fast Food Restaurants
The times when fast food was solely about burgers, fries, and milkshakes are gone. Nowadays, fast food restaurants have a diverse range of dishes on their menus. Often, you can even find salads available. These fast food companies are attempting to draw in customers who typically wouldn’t visit a fast food place. Now, when ordering fast food, you can get burgers for everyone and a salad for your health-conscious friend. Your friend might claim they are eating something healthier than everyone else who is having a burger, but the reality is quite different. The salads on fast food menus are only called salads. The ingredients they use to create these salads are just as unhealthy as those in their burgers. These salads are highly unhealthy and contribute a significant amount of calories to your body. They are just as, if not more, harmful than other menu items. Just because it has “salad” in its name doesn’t mean it is nutritious.
13. Alternative Sweeteners
Nowadays, there is a variety of different sugar substitutes available on the market. Companies that sell these sugar substitutes often attempt to market them as healthy options, but this is merely a ploy. These sugar substitutes are essentially artificial sweeteners. While they might be calorie-free, they can lead to increased cravings for sugar, which may cause you to consume more sugar through other sources like sweets and cakes. Consumption of these sugar substitutes can increase your sugar cravings, potentially putting you at risk for developing diabetes.
Baked Beans – 14.
If you are trying to maintain fitness and health, you should avoid baked beans at all costs. Unfortunately, many people think that eating baked beans benefits their health. Baked beans are usually processed, and if they come in cans, it’s best to avoid them when trying to lose weight. These kinds of foods will only contribute to weight gain. The beans themselves are healthy; it’s just the canned baked beans you should steer clear of.
Number 15: Almond Milk
Just as dried fruits are usually deemed healthy, almond milk and other plant-based milks are also seen as healthy. Almond milks are often considered healthier than their dairy alternatives, yet with so many choices available in the market, it can be difficult to determine which product is good and which isn’t. When you go shopping for almond milk, remember to look at the ingredients and nutritional information. Some of these milks contain artificial flavors that increase the sugar content significantly. Therefore, if you’re aiming to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should steer clear of non-dairy milks that have high sugar levels.
Fish Tacos – 16
Fish is often a staple in the diet of those aiming to lose weight. It is considered a healthy alternative to beef and other types of meat, but it may not be as good for you as many people think. The healthiness of fish depends on the type of fish you are eating. For instance, some people eat fish tacos believing they are healthy simply because they contain fish. However, this is far from the truth. The fish commonly used in fish tacos is Tilapia, which does not have the reputation of being a healthy fish. Instead of aiding in weight loss, it can actually contribute to weight gain. Additionally, if the fish is marinated, fried, or processed, this significantly increases the amount of fat in your meal.
Granola Bars at number 17.
We’ve already discussed how granola is perceived as healthy but really isn’t. The same is true for granola bars. A lot of the granola bars you see in stores today are packed with high amounts of sugar, which is not healthy. There’s no denying that these granola bars are nutritious and may aid in muscle strengthening, but they aren’t ideal if you’re trying to lose weight. You might get a decent amount of protein, but the sugar content makes it worse.
18. Beverages for Energy
If you’re a member of a gym, you might notice that people often bring water bottles, shakes, and energy drinks with them when they work out. It’s ironic to work out and undermine it at the same time. These energy drinks contain a large amount of sugar, which can significantly increase your calorie intake. To feel invigorated, the natural solution is to get a good night’s sleep, for around 7 to 8 hours, before going to the gym. It’s best to avoid these unhealthy energy drinks that can harm your fitness routine.
19. Salmon that is ready to be served
When it comes to a nutritious diet, no fish is better than Salmon. Salmon is among the healthiest foods available. However, the problem lies in how it is served. People often marinate it with unhealthy sauces or pair it with sides that are not as nutritious as the salmon itself. This spoils the whole healthy eating experience. Therefore, if you want to maintain your health, you should avoid using marinated sauces and seasonings.
Two Dozen Bran Muffins
Simply having “bran” in its name doesn’t make a food item healthy. Many diet-conscious individuals opt for bran muffins to satisfy their sweet cravings. However, bran muffins may not be as nutritious as you think. They can contain a lot of sugar and calories, so they should be avoided if you’re aiming for a healthy lifestyle. Like bran muffins, numerous other bran products may seem healthy but really aren’t.
21. Vegetable Straws
Veggie sticks contain salt, oil, and vegetable coloring. Any food item with artificial coloring and flavor is generally considered unhealthy. Despite being made from vegetables, people often mistakenly view veggie sticks as a healthy snack, which is not the case. In addition to containing unhealthy ingredients, veggie sticks also lack fiber.
Fruit Mix
Fruits are nutritious, but having one bowl of fruit each day is sufficient for your diet plan. You should always consume the fruit in its natural state, without adding any extra ingredients. Fruit cocktails might be tasty, but they are quite unhealthy, particularly because of the sugary syrup added to them.
23. Bread made with bananas
Including a banana in your diet is very beneficial. Bananas are nutritious, but when making banana bread, numerous other ingredients such as sugar, flour, and butter are combined. Therefore, consuming banana bread instead of regular bread will not provide any health benefits. In fact, it will increase your carbohydrate intake.
24. Salsa made with fruit
Just like fruit cocktails, sweet syrup is also added to fruit salsas. Fruit salsas usually have a spicy flavor, and to complement this spiciness, sweet syrup is used. This adds balance to the taste, making the dish more appealing and easier to eat for those who don’t like spicy foods. However, this significantly increases the sugar content, preventing fruit salsa from being classified as a health food.
25. Low-Calorie Soda
Have you ever noticed someone on a diet choosing a diet soda instead of a regular one, thinking they’re making a healthier choice? You’ll often see people doing this because they don’t realize that introducing diet soda to the market is primarily a marketing strategy to attract individuals who might otherwise avoid sodas. Although diet sodas do contain less sugar than regular ones, they still have a significant sugar content and can be quite harmful for people with diabetes. Therefore, if you’re aiming to lose weight and maintain your health, you should avoid both regular and diet sodas altogether.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
As children, we watched Popeye become strong after eating spinach from a can. Spinach is indeed a superfood, but just because a dish contains two vegetables doesn’t mean it will have the same qualities as the individual vegetables. The additional ingredients in a spinach and artichoke dip can undo weeks of exercise progress. It’s beneficial to eat spinach and artichokes on their own, but it’s best to avoid such dips.
27. Omelets Made with Egg Whites
The ideal method for eating an egg is to include both the yolk and the egg white together in one dish, achieving a balance between the two. While many people opt for egg white omelets believing they are consuming only the low-fat portion of the egg, this may be true but the yolk is more nutritious. To obtain all the nutritional benefits of an egg, it’s better to add a little yolk to your omelet as well.
28. Cereals Made from Whole Grains
Whole grain cereals are considered the pinnacle of a nutritious breakfast. Even a professional nutritionist would advise beginning your day with a wholesome bowl of whole grain cereal. The issue is that there are numerous brands on the market selling whole grain cereal, and not all of them are as healthy as they claim to be. Therefore, always review the nutritional information on the back of the cereal packages. Some of these whole grain cereals contain a high sugar content.
Twenty-nine. Athletic Beverages
Sports drinks are not just high in sugar; they also contain artificial colors, which adds to their drawbacks. It’s best to avoid any food or drink with artificial flavors or colors whenever possible. These drinks are often advertised as a way to boost your energy when you’re feeling tired, sometimes featuring sports celebrities in their commercials, which can make them appear healthy. However, this is not true. While these drinks may help with hydration and provide a temporary energy boost, they are not items you should include in your regular diet.
30. Peanut Butter with Reduced Fat
If you can make peanut butter yourself, you should steer clear of other peanut butter products available in stores, even those labeled as low in sugar and healthy. These products might have less sugar compared to others, but they still contain a high amount of sugar. Homemade natural peanut butter is healthier since it doesn’t contain large amounts of sugar. You can manage the sugar content in your peanut butter, although it’s best not to add any sugar to your homemade version.
Pita chips
If you believe that pita chips are healthier than other types of chips, you might be surprised. While potato chips typically only have salt added, pita chips contain flour, sugar, butter, and other ingredients. They are often eaten with a dip, which is also high in calories.
32. Butter substitute
Many individuals who begin dieting often switch from butter to margarine, believing it to be the healthier choice. However, this is not true. Margarine can actually be harmful. Consuming margarine can raise your cholesterol levels, thereby increasing the risk of heart conditions. Advertisements that present margarine as a healthier option than butter are responsible for this misconception.
33. Vegetarian Pizza
Pizza is undoubtedly one of the tastiest foods globally, but it is also among the least healthy. When pizza enthusiasts decide to diet, they often choose veggie pizza, believing it to be a healthier choice. However, this is merely a marketing ploy by pizza companies. Veggie pizzas use the same dough, sauce, and other components as other pizzas on the menu. Simply adding vegetables on top does not offset the negatives of cheese, fat, and other unhealthy ingredients.
34. Low-fat milk
Skim milk is often considered a healthy alternative to other types of milk, but this is a misconception. Research indicates that full-fat dairy milk is actually healthier than skim milk. The study suggests that individuals who consume full-fat dairy milk have a lower risk of developing diabetes, and if you’re aiming to maintain fitness and health, that’s the product to choose. Therefore, if you want to stay healthy, avoid bland skim milk and opt for other healthier options available.
Organic Treats
It is often believed that organic foods are naturally healthier than their non-organic counterparts. Typically, this is true, but there are certain organic foods that may contain the same amount of sugar and calories as their non-organic counterparts. For such food items, you do not gain any benefits from eating organic, as they have the same impact on your body as non-organic foods with high sugar and calorie content. Therefore, before you snack on those organic treats thinking they are keeping you healthy, you should first investigate and check the calorie and sugar content of those organic products.
36. Vegetable Burgers
The argument for veggie burgers is similar to that for veggie pizzas. Simply adding vegetables to an otherwise unhealthy dish doesn’t automatically make it healthy. Veggie burgers can be high in calories and fat, potentially undoing weeks of your exercise efforts and causing bloating. They aren’t beneficial for your health and can be just as harmful to your diet as any other type of non-veggie burger.
37. Milk made from soybeans
Soy milk is well-known for its health attributes. Many individuals globally consider soy milk to be a healthier alternative when compared to dairy milk. While it does offer some advantages for your body, these benefits aren’t sufficient to label it as a health food. Some people are sensitive to soy, and consuming soy milk might lead to hormonal problems for them. It also contains a high amount of sugar, which is why soy milk should be avoided if you are aiming to become fit and healthy.
38. Snacks Low in Carbohydrates
Many food items on this list are labeled as healthy, but they aren’t. This shows that you shouldn’t always trust the labels on packaging. It’s better to check the nutritional information on the product’s back. Many products are marketed as low carb. While some may actually be low carb, that doesn’t mean they’re healthy. Low carb doesn’t always mean healthy. So if a restaurant offers a low-carb burger or pizza, don’t get too excited. It may have fewer carbs compared to other menu options, but it could still be unhealthy.
39. Shakes with Protein
Protein shakes provide energy and are an excellent choice to consume while exercising to build muscle. However, if your goal is weight loss, you should avoid protein shakes. They contain high sugar levels, making weight loss harder if they are included in your daily diet. Although there are sugar-free options available, these protein shakes often contain artificial sweeteners, which are also unhealthy.
Forty. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is a major contributor to high cholesterol levels and heart issues. For this reason, people often avoid foods fried in oil. The fact that it comes from a vegetable doesn’t mean it’s healthy. These vegetable oils are heavily processed, and regularly eating foods fried in them can be very harmful to your health.
41. Oven-Baked Chips
People worldwide enjoy eating chips, but since chips are typically deep-fried, health-conscious individuals often avoid them. They favor the baked version, believing it to be a healthier choice than deep-fried chips. Although baked chips may lack some of the drawbacks of fried ones, they are not as healthy as one might think. While they contain less fat, they have high sodium levels. Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure and other heart-related illnesses.
42. Oatmeal with Flavoring
Oats are very nutritious. However, when foods like these become popular, many companies release their own versions, which might not be as healthy as the original. This is also true for oatmeal. Many oatmeal products in supermarkets today are high in sugar and not very healthy. Therefore, if you want to lose weight and maintain fitness, you should choose oatmeal products that you know are healthy and low in sugar.
Coconut Water:
Coconut water is beneficial if it prevents you from choosing soda and other energy drinks. However, it’s best to limit your consumption to once every week or two. For staying hydrated, water is the most effective choice. Plain water can greatly benefit your body and skin. Since coconut water contains some sugar, drinking it daily can have a negative impact on your fitness plan.
Veggie Crisps
When you hear the terms veggie or vegetables, you immediately associate them with healthiness. However, not every food that includes vegetables is healthy. The method in which a food item is prepared impacts its nutritional value, and the same applies to vegetables. Veggie chips are deep-fried, and if you’re aiming to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should avoid fried foods altogether.
Forty-five wraps.
Wraps are generally healthier than some other dishes you might find in restaurants. However, they are not entirely health foods. Wraps are akin to salads in that fast-food chains have added them to their menus to appeal to those looking to eat healthily, but in reality, they aren’t as nutritious as one might think. They are low in calories, but not so low that they can be considered a true health food.
Frozen Yogurt: Item number 46
Simply because a product is advertised as healthy doesn’t guarantee it is genuinely healthy. Frozen yogurt is a key example of this type of food. When introduced, it was promoted as a healthier option compared to ice cream, but this is far from accurate. Flavored yogurt can have the same or even higher sugar and fat content than some ice creams available.
Acai Bowls
Acai bowls are often considered a popular health food, but are they really? In fact, acai bowls can be quite high in sugar and calories. Some of them even contain frozen yogurt, which is a significant source of fat. Therefore, if you’re aiming to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s best to avoid acai bowls.
Microwave Popcorn
Popcorn is one of the most popular snacks available. They are delicious and make for a great Netflix and chill experience. However, they are not healthy. While popcorn is low in calories, you can now find a wide variety of popcorns in the supermarket. Each variety comes with different flavors and has varying amounts of sugar, butter, and other ingredients added, which negates the low-calorie benefits you might have gained from popcorn.
49. Iced Tea with Flavor
If you’re aiming to shed belly fat, the most effective method may be to drink plain iced tea with a squeeze of lemon. Individuals on diets often choose flavored iced tea, believing it will have the same health benefits, but that’s not true. Flavored iced teas are high in sugar, and drinking them regularly can increase the risk of diabetes.
Fifty Turkey Burgers
If you’re aiming to eat healthily, you might think about having a turkey burger instead of other meats. However, turkey burgers might not be as healthy as you assume. Turkey can contain the same amount of fat as beef. Additionally, the cooking method for turkey burger patties impacts their nutritional value. To keep the patties fresh, restaurants often add salt and other ingredients that can add calories. For this reason, turkey burgers may not be a good choice for your diet plan if you’re trying to lose weight.