Grocery shopping can be a chore in and of itself, especially if small children accompany you. However, even before you walk through those electronic doors, you may be making your life more difficult. You see, your shopping list may contain unhealthy items without you even realizing it! Yes, even the delectable low-fat or low-sugar treats. So, avoid these 40 items the next time you go shopping – with or without a snotty toddler. It will be good for your body.
The 40 Worst Things You Can Buy At The Grocery Store
Cheap vegetable oil
Nutritionist Lindsey Pine would have some bad news for you if you thought vegetable oil was a safe bet. She told Reader’s Digest, “Cheap refined vegetable oils are known for their high amounts of omega-6 fatty acid content. And while we absolutely need omega-6s to survive, our Western diets get way too much of them. [This] possibly [leads] to systemic inflammation, which can lead to chronic disease.”
Cheap Vegetable Oil
Cocoa Pebbles
Are you looking forward to another 9-to-5? Do you ever wish you could be a kid again? A bowl of delicious Cocoa Pebbles, on the other hand, can provide that much-needed dose of childhood nostalgia. When you look at the nutritional value of the cereal, however, you’ll probably fall back to Earth with a thud. Cocoa Pebbles contain no fiber at all in a three-quarter cup serving. Furthermore, the coloring appears to be a possible cancer risk.
Cocoa Pebbles
Tofurky kielbasa sausage
Are you a vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to eat less meat? You might have purchased a package of Tofurky kielbasa sausages. However, you probably should have put them back down because a single wiener contains around 660 milligrams of sodium. That’s a lot for a supposedly healthy option, and it’s just under 30% of your daily recommended intake.
Tofurky Kielbasa Sausage
Boxed mac and cheese
What you’re looking for is a fail-safe meal that won’t let you down and requires almost no preparation. Janine Whiteson, a registered dietitian, has a message for you before you reach for your favorite boxed mac and cheese. She explained to Reader’s Digest, “[Boxed mac and cheese] has virtually no fiber and is made with additives and chemicals that have been banned in countries around the world. This dinner option is probably one of the worst supermarkets buys with no nutritional value.”
Boxed Mac And Cheese
Pre-grilled chicken breasts
Pre-grilled chicken products may save you time in the kitchen, but they are not a healthy option. Still don’t believe us? Just ask Whiteson, a nutritionist. As she described it, “Pre-cooked chicken is often loaded with lots of bad stuff to make it have a longer shelf life – all the while reducing your life! All that added sodium will bloat you for days.”
Pre Grilled Chicken Breasts
Smartfood White cheddar Popcorn
Have you grown tired of salted or butter popcorn? Do you want to try something new? If that’s the case, cheesy corn might be right up your alley. However, think twice before adding Smartfood Popcorn’s white cheddar flavor to your cart. Over one-third of an ounce of fat is apparently contained in a serving of just under two cups of the stuff.
Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn
Cheez-It Snack Mix Double Cheese
Who doesn’t enjoy a good snack now and then? However, the nutritional information for some products may cause you to lose your appetite. For example, half a cup of Cheez-It Snack Mix with double cheese flavor has 360 milligrams of sodium. Even just thinking about it causes us to feel bloated.
Cheez It Snack Mix Double Cheese
Veggie wraps
You can’t go wrong with a pack of veggie wraps, can you? According to nutritionist Whiteson, they aren’t as healthy as you might think. “A basic tortilla takes about four ingredients to construct– flour, water, oil, and salt,” she told Reader’s Digest, “but some brands, like one that claims to contain spinach, use no fewer than 30.” Even that nutritious vegetable is scarce. “Spinach falls under the ‘2% or less’ portion of the ingredients statement,” Whiteson added.
Veggie Wraps
Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon
Oscar Mayer’s turkey bacon may appear to be an interesting and healthier alternative to store-bought rashers. But not everything is as it appears. Surprisingly, a single slice of the stuff has higher sodium and protein levels than regular bacon. Now it doesn’t sound so appealing.
Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon
Nissin Chow Mein spicy chicken flavor
We can all make a batch of noodles, even the most inept chefs. However, if you prefer Nissin Chow Mein’s spicy chicken flavor, you should know the following information. The CDC recommends that you don’t consume more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium and 22 grams of saturated fat per day, and one bowl of meaty noodles contains nearly half of these amounts.
Nissin Chow Mein Spicy Chicken Flavor
Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion chips
Have you ever wondered what a bag of potato chips contains in terms of nutrition? So, no more pondering – though the results might put you off a little. If you eat just 17 chips from a bag of Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion, you’ll have consumed ten grams of fat and 160 calories in no time.
Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion Chips
Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon
Pop-Tarts aren’t just for breakfast but choose your flavor carefully. Take, for example, the brown sugar cinnamon option. Unsurprisingly, it’s bad for people with diabetes, as just two toaster pastries are said to contain 30 grams of sugar. If you’re a man, that’s almost your entire daily recommended intake, and if you’re a woman, it’s way more.
Kellogg’s Pop Tarts Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon
Reduced-fat peanut butter
Isn’t it true that less fatty peanut butter isn’t all that bad? Maybe that’s the case. “Reduced-fat peanut butter may save you a few grams of fat, but the multiple types of added sugar and unnecessary fillers make it an inferior choice,” Lindsey Pine told Reader’s Digest. She added, “So, choose real, natural-style peanut butter instead of the laboratory concoction.”
Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter
Boca Extra Large All American Veggie Burgers
If you’re not familiar with Boca, the Extra Large All American Veggie Burger may appear to be a healthier option than its meatier counterparts. Take a look at the nutrition information on the back of the package, though. While a single patty contains 26 grams of protein, it also contains nearly 1,000 milligrams of sodium. Who could have predicted that?!
Boca Extra Large All American Veggie Burgers
Hormel pepperoni
Pepperoni is a must-have on any pizza. It’s absolutely fantastic! However, in the future, you might want to consider omitting the delectable meat from your pie. Apparently, just 30 grams of Hormel-brand pepperoni (roughly one ounce) contains 14 grams of fat. Even that small amount has about 150 calories in it.
Hormel Pepperoni
Bisquick pancake mix
What about pancakes for breakfast? So, if you insist… However, the next time you go to the store for a mix, think twice about Bisquick. What is the reason for this? The boxes, according to the company, are full of partially hydrogenated oils. This means that your stack could potentially raise your blood’s “bad cholesterol,” so stay away.
Bisquick Pancake Mix
Yogurt-covered raisins
In theory, yogurt-covered raisins shouldn’t be harmful to your health, but we have some bad news. Surprisingly, despite the dairy content, these nibbles are high in sugar and contain very little calcium. In addition, there isn’t much fiber or protein in a pack. That’s a lot of strikes in their favor.
Yogurt Covered Raisins
Land O’Lakes sharp American singles
Have you ever been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of cheese available at the store? That should make selecting the appropriate variety a little easier. A single serving of Swerve Land O’Lakes sharp American cheese slices contains over 300 milligrams of sodium. That’s a significant amount of salt.
Land O’Lakes Sharp American Singles
Hillshire Farm smoked bratwurst
The best thing Germany ever gave the world may be bratwurst sausages, but Hillshire Farm weiners should be approached with caution. A single one has over 200 calories and approximately 520 milligrams of sodium. However, the most frightening statistic is the amount of fat in a single sausage, a whopping 19 grams. We’re confident you’ll be able to find a healthier option.
Hillshire Farm Smoked Bratwurst
Bottled peach tea
Tea beverages with flavors really hit the spot. Take a closer look at the ingredients the next time you buy a peach variety. According to Reader’s Digest, some bottles contain nearly 40 grams of sugar. Is that really that bad? It’s the equivalent of ten teaspoons, to be precise.
Bottled Peach Tea
Spam Lite
If you’re trying to lose weight, Spam Lite might seem like a good idea. After all, it says on the can that it has less fat and sodium than regular Spam. But wait, there’s more. There are still 580 milligrams of salt in every two ounces of cooked meat. The tins each weigh in at 12 ounces…
Spam Lite
Kraft American Singles
You expect cheese slices to contain…well, cheese when you buy them. On the other hand, Kraft American Singles is classified as a “pasteurized prepared cheese product,” which means they only need to contain 51 percent dairy. Instead, look for the less appealing whey and milk protein concentrate on the label. And that’s before the additives are added!
Kraft American Singles
Wonder Classic White bread
You’ll notice the Wonder classic white loaves on the shelves as you browse the bread aisles. However, the product isn’t particularly nutritious. According to reports, the two slices you chose for your sandwich contain only two grams of fiber.
Wonder Classic White Bread
Oscar Mayer smoked cooked ham
Are you having trouble coming up with a sandwich filler for your lunch? Ham, of course, is the obvious choice. It’s irresistible with the right condiments! Oscar Mayer smoked cooked meat, on the other hand, is extremely salty. Each slice has around 200 milligrams of sodium, which adds up quickly if you eat several.
Oscar Mayer Smoked Cooked Ham
Lentil chips
Varbanova, a nutritionist, has a warning for all those who enjoy lentil chips. She told Reader’s Digest, “Just because a product is ‘gluten-free,’ ‘non-GMO’ and a ‘great source of fiber,’ [that] doesn’t actually mean it’s good for you. Lentil chips sound healthy but contain potassium chloride, canola oil, and calcium chloride – all ingredients that should make you think twice about picking it up.”
Lentil Chips
Bottled green tea
Green tea has long been touted as a miracle drink that can treat a variety of ailments. It’s best to stick to brewing the leaves, though. A doctor named Adrienne Youdim explained why, saying to Reader’s Digest, “You may see trading your can of soft drink for a bottled tea as a healthy swap, but often bottled teas are high in sugar and even fructose corn syrup. Bottled green tea is essentially like drinking that can of soft drink you just gave up.”
Bottled Green Tea
Breakstone’s Cottage Doubles honey vanilla
When hunger strikes, cottage cheese is often a slimmer’s savior, and Breakstone’s Cottage Doubles are a little less bland than other varieties. Check the label before purchasing the honey vanilla version. 13 grams of sugar and 400 milligrams of sodium are contained in each 4.7-ounce tub.
Breakstone’s Cottage Doubles Honey Vanilla
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks
Are you trying to eat less sugar? Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, on the other hand, should probably be avoided. A one-and-a-quarter cup of cereal contains 14 grams of sweet stuff, according to the manufacturer. And, as if that weren’t enough, there are only two grams of fiber in the whole thing.
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks
Margarine
Because of butter’s bad reputation, people are flocking to margarine in droves. However, Paul Salter advises against switching. “Margarine is high in trans fat, which has been shown to lower ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and raise ‘bad’ LDL (and total) cholesterol,” the dietitian told Reader’s Digest.
Margarine
Thomas’ Cinnamon Swirl Bagels
Although deli-made bagels are delicious, buying one for lunch every day will put you in serious debt. That’s where store-bought bread comes in, though Thomas’ Cinnamon Swirl Bagels are probably best avoided. They have ten grams of sugar per serving and only three grams of fiber.
Thomas’ Cinnamon Swirl Bagels
Frozen whipped cream
To Reader’s Digest, Lindsey Pine made an interesting point about “lower fat” frozen whipped creams. She said, “Just because something seems to have less fat than the real thing doesn’t make it the better choice. Whipped toppings are mixtures of hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors. Just eat real whipped cream to top your treat.”
Frozen Whipped Cream
Nissin Cup Noodles chicken flavor
Remember when you were a broke twenty-something or a college student? We’re guessing you ate many cups of noodles and didn’t give a damn about the nutritional value. Now that you’re older, you should be aware that a single container of Nissin-brand chicken noodles contains 1,070 milligrams of sodium.
Nissin Cup Noodles Chicken Flavor
Bugles Nacho Cheese Flavor
Bugles are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cone-shaped corn snacks. You’re starting to feel peckish. However, if you feel compelled to buy the nacho cheese flavor at the store, keep in mind that it contains far too much-saturated fat. In fact, a single serving of chips could provide nearly half of your daily recommended sat fat intake.
Bugles Nacho Cheese Flavor
Johnsonville Beddar with Cheddar
Cheesy sausages are a one-of-a-kind combination, wouldn’t you say? While that combination sounds delicious, your heart will not be grateful if you add a pack of Johnsonville Beddar with Cheddar to your cart. As you can see, a single sausage contains 17 grams of fat and only eight grams of protein. So, no, they aren’t ideal.
Johnsonville Beddar With Cheddar
Canned spaghetti and meatballs
Do you like the look of spaghetti and meatballs? Don’t be fooled by clever advertising. Instead, pay attention to Neda Varbanova, who told Reader’s Digest, “The colors [on the can] are fun, but there’s nothing healthy about this concoction.” Processed spaghetti and meatballs, in particular, are high in both sugar and sodium.
Canned Spaghetti And Meatballs
Horizon Shredded Cheddar Cheese
You’re going to get some shredded cheese for your salad. It’s best to buy a block and put some elbow grease into it. The Horizon brand’s bags, in particular, are infused with cellulose, also known as wood chip powder. It appears to prevent the cheddar from “caking.”
Horizon Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Buddig Original beef
Although beef slices make excellent sandwich fillers, Buddig’s packs are nutritionally deficient. Seven grams of fat and three grams of saturated fat, and 600 milligrams of sodium are contained in just two ounces of meat. That’s a lot of money! Surely you can come up with a better solution?
Buddig Original Beef
Bar-S Classic Bologna
The porky deli sausage, also known as Bologna or baloney, is popular all over the country. If you choose the Bar-S brand, however, be prepared for your body to fight back. What’s up with that? The company’s Classic Bologna, on the other hand, is salty. A couple of slices contains more than 700 milligrams of sodium, which is more than 30% of your daily sodium allowance.
Bar S Classic Bologna
Creamy spinach dip
Green, leafy vegetables are among the healthiest foods we can consume, so a creamy spinach dip must be safe, right? Wrong! According to food expert Neda Varbanova of Reader’s Digest, certain varieties of the stuff contain monosodium glutamate or MSG. And, according to some reports, this chemical can cause mental health problems and severe weight gain.
Creamy Spinach Dip
Spam with Real Hormel Bacon
Spam and bacon in the same can? Sounds good to us. Nutritionists, on the other hand, may disagree. Because, while the stuff is high in protein, it is also high in saturated fat, making it the equivalent of two Snickers bars in that regard.
Spam With Real Hormel Bacon