America is known for having many junk foods that are bad for you. Brands will fill their products with unhealthy ingredients that can cause significant health issues if they’re continually eaten. These are the 19 most terrible junk foods in America, which you should look to reduce in your diet.
Hot Pockets
These deli slices are high in sodium and saturated fat. They contain processed meats and refined grains, which can cause health complications such as cancer. Eating an excessive amount of processed meat can also increase blood pressure and cause heart disease. Refined grains will also have less fiber, making these pockets difficult to digest.
Bugles Nacho Cheese
These nacho cheese chips are so high in saturated fat that they contain almost half of your recommended daily limit in one serving. Eat This writes that a bag of chips has six grams of saturated fat. The chips are also low in fiber and protein, meaning they won’t be able to fill you up for very long.
Snyder’s Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Pieces
These pretzel pieces contain 280mg of sodium in just a third of a cup. They’re low in fiber and protein but high in calories. There are healthier pretzel options available that you can have with foods like hummus to add flavor.
Hormel Pepperoni
This pepperoni is incredibly high in sodium, as it has 520mg per serving. It also contains sodium nitrate, which has been linked with some forms of cancer. It’s processed meat, which means there can be health risks associated with eating this pepperoni on a regular basis.
Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage
These sausages are high in fat, which is supported by Sure Keto, which writes, “It is a high-carb processed food that contains unhealthy ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, sodium nitrite, and dextrose.” There is also 600mg of sodium in these sausages, and they contain harmful ingredients such as phosphates.
Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage Links
A serving of these sausages contains almost 370mg of sodium and 6 grams of saturated fat. This doesn’t make them the best breakfast option to go for, as their fat content is particularly high. Instead, you could opt for vegetarian or plant-based sausages if you still want something fried in the mornings.
Buddig Original Beef Lunchmeat
The Buddig Original Beef Lunchmeat has high amounts of salt, containing 600mg per serving. Not only this, but the meat also contains sodium nitrate, which is a harmful ingredient. While the lunchmeat may offer 9 grams of protein per serving, there are still healthier options that you can go for.
Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon
Fooducate tells us that this bacon has a total fat count of 11% of our daily intake in just two slices. There are also 350mg of sodium and little nutritional value in these slices of bacon. For example, they do offer 7 grams of protein, but there are no vitamins and barely any iron in this bacon.
Coffee Creamer
Coffee creamer has synthetic additives like mono and diglycerides. These are emulsifiers, which help water and oil blend together. Mono and diglycerides are known to contain small amounts of trans fat, which can contribute to strokes or heart issues. Not only this, but they can also raise levels of cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease.
Bleached White Flour Bread
White bread is bleached using chemicals such as azodicarbonamide, which is a potential carcinogen. Azodicarbonamide has become a health concern because it’s also used in the production of plastic products such as yoga mats and flip-flops. Instead, try to opt for whole grain styles of bread, which are just as delicious.
Sugar-Added Fruit Juice
UC Davis Health writes, “The more concentrated sugar and calories in fruit juice can lead to obesity and inappropriate weight gain. Excessive weight gain is associated with high blood pressure, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and other negative health issues later in life.” The sugar content means the juice will also lack fiber, so try to opt for 100% fruit juice.
Diet Sodas
Diet sodas contain aspartame, which increases your risk of cancer. If you’re also trying to lose weight, then diet sodas will be counter-productive. You can choose healthier options if you want a tasty drink with dinner, such as flavored waters or unsweetened beverages, or for something fizzy, opt for sparkling water.
Chips Ahoy! Original Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are high in sugar and saturated fat. They contain partially hydrogenated oils, which are a type of trans fat. The cookies are also high in calories. For example, Facts writes, “One serving (3 cookies) of Chips Ahoy Original Chocolate Chip Cookies contains approximately 160 calories. It’s important to be mindful of portion sizes to manage calorie intake effectively.”
Doritos Nacho Cheese
Doritos Nacho Cheese has a high amount of calories and sodium and little nutritional value. These chips also have artificial flavors and preservatives, which makes them incredibly unhealthy. Not only this, the chips have been made with modified corn, which can increase allergies and inflammation.
Crunchy Cheetos
Crunchy Cheetos are high in sodium and artificial additives. They’re also low in protein and fiber, meaning they have little nutritional value. It’s also best to keep Cheetos away from younger children, as they contain yellow 6: this is an ingredient known to cause hyperactivity in children and allergies in adults.
Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
These chips are loaded with sodium, which can increase blood pressure. There’s also no fiber or protein in these chips. Even one serving of Lay’s Classic potato chips can have too much fat and calories. Eating a high-salt diet can cause health issues such as hypertension and kidney disease, or put you at risk of a heart attack.
Hostess Twinkies
Hostess Twinkies are high in sugar and contain trans fat. For example, Is It Bad For You? writes, “Twinkies are horrible for you. They are loaded with sugar, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors. Keep them off your shelves—your health will thank you.” They lack nutritional value and contribute to spikes in blood sugar.
Marie Callender’s Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
This shouldn’t be chosen if you’re looking for a healthy meal. The spaghetti with meat sauce is high in carbs, sodium, and fat. Even though it may be delicious, opting for whole-grain spaghetti and creating your own sauce from scratch may be best. It will be much more nutritious and contain higher amounts of fiber.
Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Original Sausage Links
These sausage links contain unhealthy ingredients such as soy protein concentrate and preservatives. They’re high in saturated fat and have high amounts of carbs. For example, the Environmental Working Group writes that these sausages aren’t organic and contain 29% of your recommended sodium intake in just one serving.
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