I used to reach for these kinds of foods without thinking because they were tasty, convenient, and part of my routine. I never questioned what was in them or how they might be affecting my health. After paying closer attention to what I was eating, I started noticing some clear patterns. It is not about guilt or restriction, just understanding what might be working against you. Some everyday favorites are not as harmless as they seem.
Note: The content of this article is not medical advice.
Deli meat
Most of us like to chow down on deli meat because it’s well-prepped, cheap, easy to cook, and convenient, right? This has made deli meat a household staple.
However, deli meat is highly processed and loaded with preservatives and salt, which can cause blood pressure and heart issues. These preservatives gradually wear down our bodies, worsening our eating habits.
Margarine
Most of us grew up being told margarine is healthier than butter, right? We even had it for breakfast because of this.
But this claim has no scientific backing, and most available research has concluded margarine may be much worse for our health. Margarine’s possible trans fat count may raise cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of stroke, obesity, and heart disease.
Bottled salad dressings
We’re all guilty of buying our favorite salad dressing because we can’t replicate it at home, and it’s super cheap, right?
But making these salad dressings at home is far better because store-bought variations contain artificial flavoring and preservatives to enhance their shelf life. They also may have a high sodium level, which can be life-threatening when overeating.
Condensed milk
Even those with an intense sweet tooth have to agree that sweetened condensed milk is just way too sweet. Right?
Turns out, the high sugar count in sweetened condensed milk is as dangerous as we think. Eating that much sugar regularly may increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Canned fruit in syrup
Canned foods are inherently bad, but perhaps the worst is canned fruit, which contains a double death dose of sugar.
Canned fruits absorb the sugary liquid they’re placed in, which, combined with their natural sweetness, becomes extremely dangerous. It can cause diabetes, risk of heart disease, and even promote other health issues.
White bread
Most of us choose white bread because all other varieties seem distasteful, but maybe we should get over this.
Because white bread is highly refined and processed, which isn’t good, it’s also loaded with conditioners and preservatives to maintain its doughy consistency. Such preservatives cause numerous health problems and may even be linked to obesity.
Sports drinks
We’ve spent a fair portion of our teens and early 20s drinking sports drinks because we assumed the caffeinated goodness would help us remain alert.
But continuously consuming these caffeinated drinks is a bad idea because they not only have an unnatural amount of caffeine and other chemicals but also contain harmful preservatives, pushing us closer to the grave.
Frappuccinos
We can’t keep our hands off frappuccinos, especially when they come from Starbucks. But it’s time we let these go.
Frappuccinos are made with unhealthy ingredients. The coffee itself may be okay, but the dairy may contain ingredients that raise cholesterol levels. They’re also loaded with sugar and preservatives, so they’re not a good drink.
Store-bought smoothies
One of the best parts about grocery shopping is getting to buy those delicious smoothies, right? But they’re so unhealthy.
Store-bought smoothies may not always contain fresh ingredients, as we assume. They get their amazing flavor from a buttload of artificial flavoring and preservatives. Couple that with high sugar doses, and you can pretty much tell how bad they are.
Alcohol
Alcohol has some very serious long-term side effects that you may not notice until it is too late. Drinking alcohol can lead to heart issues, memory loss, and even blood pressure problems.
Drinking alcohol deteriorates your body slowly and can cause premature aging. Alcohol also slows down your body and brain, especially when consumed daily. Consider eliminating alcohol from your daily routine, and in ten years, you will be very glad you did.
Potato Chips
Potato chips are packed with sodium. One average serving of plain potato chips has about 170mg of sodium. That's about 7% of your entire daily sodium intake! And that is if you manage to eat just one serving, which is basically impossible. Everyone eats more than one serving.
To top it off, potato chips have been shown to cause more weight gain than any other sugary foods. More weight, of course, has a huge effect on your body in many ways. Stay away from the chips if you want to stay healthy.
Bacon
Bacon is delicious—we admit that! But it is also seriously unhealthy. Bacon contains a high amount of saturated fats, which can raise your blood cholesterol levels. It also has a high amount of sodium, which can also be detrimental to your health.
While one piece of bacon every now and then is okay, it is best to avoid eating this fatty, fried meat on a daily basis.
Red Meats
Red meats, such as beef, pork, and lamb, may raise cholesterol levels, which can cause serious problems with the body's functions. Red meat is also higher in saturated fats than white meat.
There have been hundreds of studies that link diets that are high in red meat to heart problems. Plenty of other types of meat you can enjoy won't slowly ruin your body.
Smoked Meat
Smoked meats are actually classified as carcinogenic as they have been directly linked to cancer. The smoky char on the outside of the meat is not good for your health. Eating too much smoked meat may cause stroke, heart disease, or certain types of cancers. They are simply not good to eat on a regular basis.
This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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