5 Everyday Foods That Are Terrible for Your Health

Have trouble losing weight? Do you watch your portions and eat clean, but still can’t drop those pesky pounds? Then you might need to give your diet a makeover. Many foods that are considered healthy pack sugar and empty calories. Some examples include salad dressing, flavored yogurt, fruit juices, granola, and gluten-free products. The best thing you can do is to avoid them completely.

These everyday foods are bad for your health and have no place in a balanced diet:

Commercial Salad Dressing

Commercial salad dressings and dips can turn the healthiest meal into a disaster. Unlike homemade dressings, they’re loaded with sugar, trans fats, and refined oils that affect overall health. Most brands contain genetically engineered soy, high-fructose corn syrup, and even paint chemicals like titanium dioxide. Not to mention Yellow #5, Red #40, caramel colors, and other artificial dyes that have been linked to cancer and premature death.

Gluten-Free Foods

Just because a product is labeled “gluten-free,” it doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Store shelves are packed with gluten-free foods that contain nothing but empty calories. Some are highly processed and contain hidden sugars that can stall your weight loss progress. Additionally, they’re loaded with preservatives, hydrogenated fats, and artificial flavors.

Canned Foods

Canned soup, veggies, and fish may seem healthy, but they’re actually high in sodium and preservatives. Otherwise, they wouldn’t last for years. A good example is canned soup, which boasts at least 400 milligrams of sodium per serving. When consumed in excess, sodium increases blood pressure, causes fluid retention, and messes up your electrolyte balance.

Fruit Juice

A glass of fruit juice can pack more calories and sugar than a chocolate bar. Store-brought fruit juices are the worst because they also contain additives, preservatives, and artificial dyes. The fructose in fruit juices goes straight to your liver where it’s stored as fat. Your body can not use this sugar for energy. Eat the whole fruit rather than drinking its juice.

Margarine

Margarine is promoted as a healthy choice for people with heart disease or high cholesterol. Unfortunately, it’s even worse than butter or refined oils. This food is heavily processed and contains trans fats that cause DNA damage, clog your arteries, and trigger weight gain. Swap margarine for coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or organic butter to maintain your health.