From Spam to chocolate to...salmon? Eating healthy isn't as simple as it used to be, but we rounded up a list of some of the most unhealthy foods in the world. And some of them will surprise you.
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00:00From Spam, to chocolate, to salmon, eating healthy isn't as simple as it used to be.
00:05But we rounded up a list of some of the most unhealthy foods in the world, and some of
00:09them will surprise you.
00:11Butter isn't exactly the boogeyman it was made out to be in past decades, but for the
00:15sake of your health, you may want to consider limiting the amount you eat.
00:18Food and diet experts told Eat This, Not That that the primary issues you'll face with butter
00:23are its large amount of saturated fat and high concentration of calories.
00:26Over time, eating butter frequently or in large quantities can lead to weight gain or
00:30heart disease, so take it easy with the butter to stay healthy.
00:34Fried foods in general are a risky choice for your long-term health, and french fries
00:38are sort of the poster child for that.
00:39Fries are one of the many popular foods that have been labeled as potential carcinogens,
00:43meaning they might increase your chances of developing cancer.
00:46Meanwhile, the starch in potatoes breaks down into sugar, which is another health risk to
00:50consider.
00:51Research suggests that french fries can increase mortality, so it's not a bad idea to cut back
00:55on how often we eat them, and drowning them in sugary ketchup won't exactly do you any
00:59favors either.
01:00There are so many sugary cereals on the shelves and so many beloved flavors that it can be
01:04hard to pick, but ultimately, their sugary, processed ingredients are all pretty similar,
01:09and they're not the best things to be shoveling into your body.
01:12As the UK's National Health Service puts it, cereals high in sugar, salt, or fat can lead
01:16to weight gain and high blood pressure.
01:18Plus, they may contribute to tooth decay.
01:20It's kind of shocking that this is the primary breakfast option for many children, and that
01:24many of us grew up on these sugary cereals.
01:27Who doesn't love a scoop or two of ice cream now and then?
01:30Two scoops, sir?
01:32Two?
01:33Make it three.
01:34I'm not driving.
01:35Ice cream tastes sweet, but it'll leave a bitter taste in your mouth to know how bad
01:38ice cream can be for you.
01:39Most ice cream flavors contain high amounts of fat, calories, and sugar.
01:43SFGate says that the milk fat content of ice cream will generally range from 10 to 16 percent,
01:48with milk fat being a high cholesterol-saturated fat.
01:50So be careful, because ice cream is one food that is best eaten in moderation, if at all.
01:55You shouldn't be surprised to hear that bacon isn't good for you.
01:58Bacon gets its distinct bacon flavor from additives like nitrates and nitrites, and
02:02according to The Guardian, all this processing leads to a potentially carcinogenic food.
02:07Then there are the nutritional facts.
02:08According to Time, just four thick slices of bacon can pack in around 240 calories and
02:1340 percent of your daily value for sodium and saturated fat.
02:16If you eat less than four slices in one sitting, that's not the end of the world.
02:20Who does that?
02:21What I said was, give me all the bacon and eggs you have.
02:26Do you understand?"
02:29If you're looking for a food that's packed with saturated fats, sodium, and bad for heart
02:33health, look no further than American cheese.
02:35Technically, it doesn't even meet the legal definition of cheese, which is why it's sold
02:39as a cheese product.
02:40Although it's a staple in many sandwiches and melts beautifully, American cheese might
02:44be one of the worst cheeses for your health.
02:46According to Delish, American cheese is so highly processed that it can last six months
02:50in the fridge, and all the sodium and additives can have health consequences in the long term
02:54if you eat it frequently.
02:56Most of us have fond childhood memories of Pop-Tarts, but as adults, we've learned that
03:00they're not the best food to be eating.
03:02According to USA Today, Pop-Tarts are just one of many processed foods that contain a
03:06chemical known as TBHQ.
03:08This preservative extends the shelf life of foods, but it can also cause harm to the immune
03:12system.
03:13Whether frozen or frosted or unfrosted, Pop-Tarts contain around 200 calories each.
03:16They don't exactly make you full, either, so it's best to stay away.
03:20Swearing off soda can be one of the best decisions you make, as one PopSugar writer found out
03:25firsthand when she quit for a year.
03:27Insider states that soda has been linked to tooth decay, obesity and diabetes, and even
03:31depression.
03:32Soda is loaded with high-fructose corn syrup, which is believed to cause your body to generate
03:36more fat and cholesterol and lead to a fatty liver, among many other negative health effects.
03:40Giving up a soda habit won't be easy, but CNN recommends choosing alternatives like
03:44water or unsweetened tea for the sake of your health.
03:47Are those pudding snack packs we eat with lunch actually bad for you?
03:51Well, one Hunt's 3.25-ounce pudding cup alone contains 100 calories and 12 grams of added
03:56sugars, so it's definitely not a guilt-free snack.
03:58You know I like snack pack.
04:00Why can't you just give me a snack pack?
04:02Pudding only needs a few ingredients, but to make millions of individual cups uniformly
04:06presentable, producers mix in a range of artificial colors, flavorings, emulsifiers, and preservatives.
04:12Some of those, like sodium stearoyl lacetate, have potential to negatively affect gut bacteria.
04:17They may be tasty, but pudding cups are something you should avoid feeding yourself and your
04:20kids on a regular basis.
04:23You can split pancake syrup into two categories, the processed syrup made with high-fructose
04:27corn syrup and the natural maple syrup that costs an arm and a leg, but neither one is
04:31particularly good for you.
04:32According to Consumer Reports, a quarter of a cup of maple syrup contains about 200 calories
04:37and more than 50 grams of sugar, maxing out your entire recommended daily sugar allowance.
04:41The bunny gets the pancake.
04:46Because it contains so much sugar, syrup should only be eaten occasionally in moderation.
04:50If you just have to have those flapjacks, the natural maple syrup is probably less bad
04:54for you.
04:56Energy drinks like Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, and more can be really bad for your body.
05:01Like sodas, these fall under the category of sugary drinks that can lead to issues with
05:04heart health, increase weight, and put you at higher risk for diabetes.
05:08The healthy adds that due to the caffeine in energy drinks, they can also lead to dehydration.
05:12Be careful not to overdo it with energy drinks, especially if you're one of the people who
05:16drink these every day.
05:18Fresh tuna is a good source of important nutrients, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
05:23The bad news is that it's also a good source of mercury.
05:25Depending on the variety, tuna can contain a mean mercury concentration of anywhere from
05:300.12 to 0.68 parts per million, according to the FDA.
05:33And ultimately, this can be very harmful to human health.
05:36Life Science notes that mercury poisoning can occur with frequent exposure over time,
05:40leading to side effects like tremors, blindness, or even death.
05:43And since exposures add up over time, it's a good idea to be very careful to avoid eating
05:47excessive amounts.
05:49Many people are mac and cheese fanatics, but nutritionally, it doesn't have much going
05:53for it.
05:54According to Healthline, mac and cheese is high in fat, sodium, calories, and refined
05:58carbs, all of which can contribute to weight gain and other health consequences.
06:02It shouldn't come as a surprise that carbs smothered in cheese isn't exactly a healthy
06:06choice, so it's probably best not to eat it too frequently.
06:10Funnel cakes may taste amazing, but they're terrible for you.
06:13"'Food shouldn't taste like this, I don't think."
06:17ABC News says that one of these beloved fair and festival snacks can pack 700 calories
06:22and 40 grams of fat.
06:23Aside from containing almost no nutrition, funnel cakes are fried in oil and coated with
06:27sugar.
06:28It's the cake that's worse than cake.
06:30Some of the long-term consequences of eating fried foods are weight gain and increased
06:33risk of diabetes, so next time you're at the fair, it may be better to just enjoy the smell.
06:39Surprisingly enough, milk isn't actually that good for you.
06:42It's potentially even dangerous.
06:43You better like a little bit of this milk punch.
06:51It's important to say that the research isn't conclusive, but Discover magazine reports
06:55that milk may be linked to certain cancers, such as prostate and ovarian.
06:59It's high in saturated fat and, according to the Physicians' Committee for Responsible
07:02Medicine, it may also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and other health
07:07consequences.
07:08The increasing incidence of lactose intolerance may be a sign that we need to switch to milk
07:12alternatives.
07:14Maraschino cherries are bleached cherries that are sweetened and preserved in a chemical
07:17solution.
07:18Now, cherries are naturally healthy, but the processing involved in maraschino cherries
07:22lowers their natural antioxidants and doubles their sugar content to about 2 grams per cherry.
07:27The liquid they're suspended in is usually made with high-fructose corn syrup, and their
07:30bright red tint comes from Red 40, an artificial coloring that may lead to hyperactivity in
07:35children.
07:36Basically, they lose any health value they once had, and become nothing more than another
07:40junk food.
07:41Beer is bad for you?
07:42Who knew?
07:43Well, everyone.
07:44For starters, beer is generally high in calories, which can end up contributing to weight gain
07:48if you overindulge.
07:50More surprisingly, it's also been linked to arthritis, according to Eat This, Not That,
07:54and can have inflammatory side effects like joint aches and swelling.
07:57Apart from the nutritional concerns, overconsumption of alcohol comes with a ton of negative side
08:01effects.
08:02We're good!
08:03Streaky!
08:04Yes!
08:05Smoked meat comes in all forms, and it's difficult to make a blanket statement that it's all
08:10equally unhealthy.
08:11But nuance aside, all smoked meat involves, well, smoke.
08:15While smoke preserves meat and adds flavor, per SFGate, some compounds in wood smoke are
08:19known carcinogens.
08:20Studies have linked smoked meats to incidences of other health problems, including stomach
08:24infections from E. coli and elevated sodium that can negatively affect blood pressure.
08:29And while any type of meat can be smoked, red meat specifically has been shown to be
08:32potentially carcinogenic, according to Moffitt Cancer Center.
08:36It probably won't shock you to know that hot fudge is not exactly a healthy food.
08:40In fact, considering that the primary ingredient tends to be corn syrup, it's quite bad for
08:45you.
08:46Some of us aren't sitting around chugging hot fudge, but if we were, the consequences
08:49could include things like weight gain, a higher potential for diabetes, and elevated intake
08:53of saturated fat and sugar.
08:55Hershey says one serving of its hot fudge topping contains 4 grams of saturated fat
08:59and 17 grams of sugar.
09:01Smucker's hot fudge topping has 4.5 grams of fat and 17 grams of sugar per serving as
09:05well.
09:06So there's really no good option here, other than cutting it out of your diet.
09:10Sloppy joes used to be really popular, but lately, they've fallen off a bit.
09:14That's probably a good thing.
09:15The tomato sauce used in sloppy joes usually contains a lot of sodium, while the meat is
09:20usually ground beef.
09:21And in canned especially, that comes loaded with a lot of fat and cholesterol.
09:24SFGates states that sloppy joes can be linked to health consequences like high blood pressure
09:28and diabetes.
09:29They suggest including beans or fresh vegetables to help you get nutrients if you eat sloppy
09:33joes, but you could instead just choose a healthier meal.
09:36That's a sloppy sandwich.
09:39I tried to warn you.
09:44It's a common thread at this point, but it bears repeating.
09:47Deep fried flour and sugar isn't peak diet food.
09:50With a health profile similar to a funnel cake, a donut is not much better than its
09:53carnival cousin from a health perspective.
09:56It certainly isn't a good choice for breakfast, at least not all the time.
09:59Donuts were named as one of the worst breakfast foods by Cleveland Clinic for their high sugar
10:03and calorie content.
10:04Delish points out that one donut can even contain your entire daily allowance of saturated
10:08fat, clocking in at somewhere from 6 to 11 grams in each one depending on where you get
10:13it from.
10:14The only thing to remember is that a donut is an indulgence and should be consumed sparingly.
10:18Cheese, oil, and a tortilla.
10:20Throw some meat on it if you want, but that's what a quesadilla boils down to.
10:23For such a sparse ingredient list, you might be surprised to learn that just one quesadilla
10:28can contain more than 600 calories and 38 grams of fat.
10:31If you've just gotta have your dilla, Insider suggests using less cheese or substituting
10:35a rice wrap for your tortilla to make your quesadilla a bit healthier.
10:39As with other unhealthy foods, these are best consumed in moderation.
10:43Before you go and pop a bag of popcorn to eat while watching Netflix, try binge-reading
10:46a few of those nutrition facts.
10:48A bag of Pop Secret butter-flavored popcorn contains about 70 percent of a person's daily
10:52value for saturated fat and over 40 percent of the daily value for sodium.
10:56Plus, a bag of buttery popcorn is highly processed and contains a lot of calories, anywhere from
11:02400 to 600 calories per bag.
11:04More worryingly, though, UCLA Health points out that the inside coating of microwave popcorn
11:08bags could contain perfluoroalkyls, or PFAs, which accumulate in human tissues and can
11:13lead to a host of health issues.
11:15Rock candy, also called rock sugar, contains more calories by volume than white table sugar,
11:20according to Livestrong.
11:21If you've ever made rock candy, you know that it's essentially crystallized sugar, although
11:25some types contain other additives such as flavorings.
11:28Don't be fooled into thinking that there are any health benefits to eating rock candy other
11:31than maybe a little stress relief or temporary happiness.
11:34It's very bad for your teeth as well, and you'll be making your dentist's life easier
11:38if you choose to pass on it.
11:40Hot dogs have a reputation for being tubes of mystery meats, which isn't exactly the
11:44whole truth, but they're still a highly processed food that often contain meat byproducts and
11:48trimmings, as well as a number of additives and preservatives.
11:51One study covered by USA Today suggests that each hot dog you eat can cut more than 30
11:56minutes off your lifespan.
11:57Even worse, hot dogs were the least healthy of the thousands of foods included in the
12:01study.
12:02You could say they're more loser than wiener.
12:04For many of us, Cinnabon cinnamon rolls are like heaven on earth, and if you only eat
12:08them, say, once a year, then you're probably fine.
12:11But weekly or daily indulgences can add up fast.
12:14According to the Cinnabon website, just one classic Cinnabon cinnamon roll contains 880
12:18calories, 37 grams of fat, and 61 grams of sugar.
12:22This is definitely a diet buster, and easily one of the worst foods you can eat.
12:27So you're thinking about your health and decide to pass on the french fries in favor of onion
12:30rings.
12:31Onions are vegetables, right?
12:33That's true, but any nutritional benefits are voided once it's covered in batter and
12:36salt and fried in oil.
12:38According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, one portion of onion rings will contain
12:42more than 400 milligrams of sodium and 15 grams of fat.
12:46Also, prevention says that a serving will have around 600 calories, plus more fat and
12:50sugar than french fries.
12:51They may be tasty, but in the long run, eating onion rings will cost you.
12:56They can be made in many ways, but pork rinds are essentially the byproduct of rendering
13:00lard.
13:01They're the pigskin fried in fat.
13:03Crunchy, salty, supposedly it cleans your teeth.
13:10Although they've become a bit trendy with the low-carb crowd, pork rinds still aren't
13:14the healthiest snack to munch on.
13:15The things that make them the most unhealthy are the usual culprits, high levels of sodium
13:19and fat.
13:20The salt, in particular, poses a risk to heart health.
13:23According to Healthline, most bagged pork rinds have over 1,000 milligrams of sodium
13:27per serving, which is nearly half of the daily recommended limit.
13:31Fish quality generally depends on water quality, and imported catfish is a far cry from a cat
13:36you might hook in your uncle's pond.
13:37As Good Housekeeping explains, most of the imported catfish in the U.S. is raised in
13:41Vietnam, where fish farms use antibiotics that aren't allowed in America, sometimes
13:45in dangerous levels.
13:47To make matters worse, most imported catfish is not inspected by U.S. authorities once
13:51it arrives in the country.
13:53So if you're intent on buying catfish, do so at your own risk.
13:56But you should at least try to avoid catfish that is brought in from other countries for
13:59your safety and health.
14:01Buffalo wings are chicken wings that are fried and covered in a buttery sauce.
14:05You're not likely to confuse them with a salad, but just so you know, they're not good for
14:09you.
14:10Livestrong lists a standard serving of buffalo wings, a measly four wings, at somewhere around
14:14330 calories, with an extra 200 or so calories added when you use a dipping sauce like ranch.
14:19You should also keep in mind that buffalo wings tend to be high in sodium as well, around
14:23160 milligrams per six wings, according to Very Well Fit.
14:27There's no way the two sticks of celery served on the side will balance that.
14:30Now if you expect me to eat this, you're gonna have to supply me with some wing sauce.
14:36Baklava is a Middle Eastern dish or dessert known for its flaky crust and sweet honey
14:40flavor.
14:41It comes in a number of varieties, often with pistachio, walnut, or other ingredients.
14:45You might not think that it's too bad for you as compared with other desserts, but actually,
14:49it's pretty high in fat and sugar.
14:51Livestrong says that just one slice or serving of baklava can contain more than 200 calories,
14:5611 grams of fat, and 17 grams of sugar.
14:59It may taste amazing, but enjoying baklava can come at a cost.
15:03Grilled cheese sandwiches are commonly made with American cheese, which we've already
15:06covered as something that's not great for you.
15:08But no matter what type of cheese you end up using, ultimately, you're still talking
15:12about cheese and bread pan-fried in oil or butter.
15:15Grilled cheese is basically a smorgasbord of unhealthy choices, good for your taste
15:18buds, not for your body.
15:20It's good.
15:21I'm gonna bite your ass, it's good.
15:25As Healthline explains, one grilled cheese sandwich can contain around 500 calories,
15:29and also contains hefty doses of salt and saturated fat.
15:32Combine those attributes with the fact that there's very little fiber in the sandwich,
15:35and it's obvious that you shouldn't eat these too often.
15:39Potato chips are among the worst foods you can eat because of the high amounts of oil,
15:42salt, and sometimes even additives they contain.
15:45These can be especially bad if you eat them frequently, leading to consequences from excess
15:49fat and sodium consumption.
15:51Livestrong explains that one of the reasons potato chips can harm health is that they
15:54provide essentially no nutrients.
15:56You're just taking in empty calories without any benefits.
16:00Excessive potato chip eating has also been linked to certain health conditions, such
16:03as diabetes and cancer.
16:05You might not think about sweetness when you think of bread, but bread actually contains
16:09quite a lot of sugar.
16:10The high glycemic index of white bread makes blood sugar levels spike after consumption.
16:15According to Eat This, Not That, which is something that can lead to cardiovascular
16:18disease or kidney failure in the long term.
16:20Additionally, white bread is made with bleached flour, and Spoon University points out that
16:24the chemicals used in this process can be carcinogenic.
16:27Kinda takes the whole wonder out of that Wonder Bread, huh?
16:30Okay.
16:31Okay.
16:32Fine.
16:33Fine.
16:34Refried beans are a traditional Mexican dish, usually pan-fried with lard and salt.
16:41Lard contains 5 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon, and depending on how the beans
16:45were made, they may contain a lot of it.
16:47In other words, that pile of refried beans on your plate could be full of unhealthy fat.
16:51Eating too much risks raising your cholesterol levels and potentially your weight.
16:55Burgers, steak, tacos, whatever your preference, you might want to consider cutting back on
17:00red meat.
17:01Recent studies have shown that some consequences of eating red meat include an increased risk
17:05of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and even death.
17:09With possible side effects like that, it's no surprise that vegetarian and vegan diets
17:13are on the rise as people become more conscientious about their health.
17:16The National Institutes of Health has weighed in on this as well, confirming that substituting
17:20foods like nuts and whole grains can lower the risk of death from health conditions associated
17:24with excessive red meat consumption.
17:27Eat This, Not That awarded cheesecake with the dubious title of Worst Dessert, which
17:31just goes to show you how bad it is for you.
17:33The reason it got this designation has to do with its high caloric profile.
17:36One slice of cheesecake can have more than 300 calories.
17:40Plus, cheesecake is highly processed, and usually contains a lot of fat and added sugar.
17:44It can be fine every once in a while, but maybe consider having it only on special occasions.
17:48Although Jell-O is a fun food many people enjoy, it can be bad for you because of all
17:55the sugar and additives it contains.
17:57If you're not grossed out about the fact that it's made from animal bones, tendons, and
18:01other connective tissue, consider that it offers you very little nutritional benefit.
18:05If you like eating sugar that's swimming in artificial dye, this is great.
18:08Otherwise, that jiggle will never mean anything good.
18:12One of the worst pasta dishes for your health is Fettuccine Alfredo.
18:15The sauce is essentially butter, cream, salt, and cheese, making it very high-calorie compared
18:20to other types of pasta dishes.
18:22The Food Network says a serving of traditional Fettuccine Alfredo can contain 1,200 calories
18:26or more, plus 74 grams of fat.
18:29Yikes!
18:30And remember, that's just one portion.
18:32Livestrong points out that, since it's mainly pasta, Fettuccine Alfredo also contains a
18:36lot of carbohydrates, around 88 grams in each serving.
18:39Overall, this is not a dish you want to eat very often unless you're carbo-loading for
18:43a triathlon.
18:45You may be someone who pours a bit of coffee creamer into your coffee every morning without
18:48thinking too much about it.
18:50If that's the case, you may want to consider switching it up.
18:52Black coffee has fewer calories, plus it doesn't carry the risks associated with coffee creamer.
18:57This creamy addition to your morning cup of joe sometimes contains carrageenan, a thickening
19:01agent made from seaweed that's known to be a potential carcinogen and can cause gastrointestinal
19:06problems, according to SheFinds.
19:08Additionally, coffee creamer is often packed with added sugars.
19:12Canned ravioli and pasta definitely count as highly processed foods.
19:15The ingredients list for Chef Boyardee canned beef ravioli reads like a Joyce novel, and
19:20one can packs a whopping 34 percent of your daily recommended dose of sodium in only 180
19:25calories.
19:26It also has some added sugar.
19:28There's very little fiber and not many other nutrients to make this carbohydrate and salt
19:32bomb worth adding to your diet.
19:34Churros are another delicious treat that you'll often find at fairs or festivals, and in the
19:38moment, they can seem like a great choice.
19:40Just be careful not to make it a habit, because these are 200-plus calorie treats.
19:44Churros offer practically no nutrition, and if the oil they're fried in is reheated and
19:48oxidized multiple times, it can potentially contribute to heart disease and other health
19:52threats.
19:53In short, better not have these too often.
19:56Poutine is the stuff that covers fancy, professionally made cakes, like wedding cakes.
20:00It's pretty much pure sugar with some additives that help stabilize it and give it a smooth
20:04texture, most of which are different types of sugar.
20:07Professional bakeries use a mix with corn syrup most of the time, while homemade fondant
20:11is usually based on melted marshmallows.
20:13It's sugar mixed with more sugar.
20:15Is that technically even food?
20:16More importantly…
20:17"...is it cake?"
20:19Canada is known for poutine, an indulgent treat that consists of gravy over cheese curds
20:24and fries.
20:25As you might imagine, it's pretty bad for you.
20:27CNN says one order of poutine can contain more than 700 calories and 40 grams of fat.
20:32The high fat content, plus the excessive amount of salt, makes poutine a food to pass on.
20:37Most people wouldn't think of pork as a particularly unhealthy food, but it does carry some health
20:41risks.
20:42One study has shown a potential link between pork consumption and liver cirrhosis, while
20:46another study showed that eating pork liver could transmit hepatitis E to humans.
20:50With sausage and bacon being especially high in saturated fat, Livestrong suggests heart
20:54disease and cancers are also potential consequences.
20:57And if it's not cooked correctly, pork can also give you a nasty bout of food poisoning
21:01or a parasitic infection.
21:02The nacho cheese dispenser warmer is here, making it quick and easy for you to enjoy
21:08hot nacho cheese."
21:10Ever wondered how nacho cheese sauce stays creamy and soft?
21:13The trick is, it's a bit of cheese mixed with a whole lot of cornstarch and oil, then mixed
21:17with flavorings and coloring agents to make it seem cheesy again.
21:20Nacho cheese is so heavily processed that it lasts for years and hardly resembles food
21:24when you take it out of its packaging.
21:26Then there's the salt and fat.
21:28Rico's nacho cheese sauce contains 4.5 grams of fat and 540 milligrams of sodium, and that's
21:33before you add the fat and salt from the tortilla chips you're dipping into it.
21:37Eating a salad for lunch over something like fast food is always a rewarding choice, but
21:41to really get the full health kick, you have to be careful what you douse it in.
21:45It's time to ranch it up!
21:48Not so fast!
21:49Processed salad dressings contain a good deal of unhealthy ingredients, including additives
21:53and preservatives.
21:54According to Taste of Home, some of the unhealthiest salad dressings have more than 100 calories
21:59per serving, plus upwards of 200 milligrams of sodium.
22:02Too much of that, and the health value of your salad diminishes fast.
22:06There have been a number of articles and news stories over the years about how bad candy
22:10corn is for you.
22:11As a Halloween candy, nobody should really be surprised to know that it isn't the healthiest
22:14treat.
22:15It's primarily corn syrup and sugar, is highly processed, and should definitely be eaten
22:19in moderation.
22:20People are split about whether or not candy corn even tastes good, but the nutrition facts
22:24for Brock's Candy Corn should have us all in agreement that it's not worth eating.
22:28Just a 15-piece pack has 110 calories and 22 grams of sugar.
22:33Eel is another tricky fish due to the potential for mercury contamination.
22:36Eel generally has less mercury than, say, tuna, but one NIH study suggests that the
22:41older the eel gets, the more mercury it can accumulate.
22:44Since you don't exactly know much about the eel on your sushi from back when it was in
22:47the swimming stage of life, it's a small gamble as to how much of the metal ended up on your
22:51plate.
22:52Although it's on the safer end of the spectrum, eel should still be eaten in moderation if
22:55you want to ensure that you aren't exposing yourself to potentially dangerous contaminants.
23:00Another fried food you should be careful not to eat too much of is mozzarella sticks.
23:04They're yet another snack attack of saturated fat, sodium, and calories, and eating them
23:08too often could put you at risk for health issues such as heart disease and obesity,
23:13according to SFGate.
23:14While it's fine in moderation, these can have serious consequences if you eat them too much.
23:19Fried rice is one food that you wouldn't normally think of as being too terrible for your health,
23:23but the cooking oil is the real culprit.
23:25According to Healthline, most fried rice varieties have upwards of 300 calories and more than
23:306 grams of fat per cup.
23:31So if you're planning on having rice with your dinner, maybe try plain brown rice to
23:35cut out some of the negative ingredients.
23:37There's no denying that sausages are a delicious staple for people all around the world.
23:41"...food like a banger in the mouth!
23:44Oh, right, I forgot.
23:45Here in the States, you call it a sausage in the mouth."
23:49"...we just call it a sausage."
23:50While their culinary value is undeniable, they're not the most health-conscious protein
23:54choice.
23:55Sausages have been shown to increase the risk for some chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular
23:59disease and cancer.
24:01And to eat this, not that.
24:02Sausages are also highly processed and contain a lot of sodium and saturated fat, so they're
24:06not the healthiest choice as the centerpiece of your meal.
24:10Granola bars seem to be an innocent enough option, until you take a closer look at the
24:13packaging.
24:14These are often the healthy snack of choice for people on the go, but many granola bars
24:18are very high in sugar and carbohydrates, which can give you temporary energy followed
24:22by a crash.
24:23They also tend to be highly processed, and some may contain a large amount of fat, sodium,
24:27and calories.
24:28Although they may help curb your appetite until the next meal, they're not the best
24:31choice.
24:33Crème brûlée is a well-known dessert consisting of a custard base with a toasted layer of
24:37sugar on top.
24:38The main ingredients are cream, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla.
24:41Overall, a pretty simple dish, but it does contain a large number of calories and a whole
24:45lot of sugar.
24:46There's a reason this dessert is considered indulgent, and it's best to save it for special
24:50occasions.
24:51Many of us are addicted to certain coffee drinks and can be very particular about the
24:55flavors we like.
24:56I think your intercom's broken.
24:58It sounded like you said you didn't have any pumpkin spice lattes.
25:01Yeah, we don't.
25:05Whether your go-to is pumpkin spice, French vanilla, or anything else, one thing you should
25:09be wary of when you choose a morning pick-me-up is what ingredients are added to it.
25:13Flavored coffee tends to be significantly less healthy than plain black coffee.
25:17Spoon University warns that some of these chemicals used in these artificial flavors
25:21are linked to cancers, while others can even damage your DNA.
25:25Here's a reminder you probably don't need.
25:27Candy bars are one of the worst foods you can eat.
25:29They tend to have a very high level of sugar and fat, plus they are highly processed to
25:33make them shelf-stable.
25:34Even as an occasional treat, they're not great.
25:37In addition to potential health issues from sugars and fats, U.S. News & World Report
25:41points out that all that gooey chocolate and sugar is a recipe for cavities.
25:45I like hot dogs.
25:46Great!
25:47But I prefer corn dogs because you don't need a bun for it.
25:51Considered one of the unhealthiest junk foods in America by Healthline, corn dogs are easily
25:55one food that you should try to avoid.
25:57Although for some of us they bring back fond childhood memories, they're still just a battered-covered
26:01hot dog that's been deep-fried.
26:03It's a bad food wrapped inside another bad food, and like most other fried foods, they
26:07are high in fat and salt.
26:09Combine that with the processed meat in the hot dog, and you have a very unhealthy treat.
26:13Dextrose is a form of sugar that is often found in certain foods, especially packaged
26:17or processed ones.
26:18For example, it's one of the ingredients in Sweet'N Low.
26:21But since dextrose is really just another type of sugar, it's easy to be fooled into
26:25thinking you're eating something healthier.
26:27Dextrose consumption over time can put you at risk for heart disease and diabetes.
26:32Milkshakes are one of those timeless treats that most of us have enjoyed at some point.
26:35But unfortunately, they're also very high in calories.
26:38Some milkshakes can clock in around 1,000 calories, making them take up around half
26:42of your recommended daily caloric intake.
26:44Plus, all the sugar and fat makes them a poor choice for regular slurping.
26:48In general, nuts are considered a healthy snack.
26:51One exception, though, is honey-roasted nuts.
26:53These tend to be high in sugar and are more processed than regular nuts, making them a
26:57less healthy choice.
26:58Livestrong says that honey-roasted nuts have two grams of extra sugar in each ounce as
27:02compared to other nut varieties.
27:04That's because of, well, the honey.
27:06Most roasted nuts are coated in salt as well, but the extra sugar in honey-roasted makes
27:10them a one-two punch to the gut.
27:12So if you're craving nuts, try to avoid the ones that are coated in sugar.
27:16We've talked about the calories in beer, and we could go on and on about the sugar content
27:20of a lot of mixed drinks, but let's just cut to the chaser.
27:23Alcohol in general isn't your friend.
27:25Alcohol has unfortunately been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.
27:28As the British Heart Foundation points out, chronic consumption is especially harmful
27:32to your health, so binge drinking or drinking on a daily basis shouldn't even be a consideration.
27:36Even having just a couple of drinks can put you over the threshold of your recommended
27:40daily caloric intake, leading to unwanted weight gain.
27:44Like many candies, gummy bears are something that you should definitely avoid.
27:47Obviously, all the sugar is a concern, but they're also specifically among the worst
27:51candies for your oral health, as Summit Dental Health warns.
27:54Their gummy texture causes them to stick to your teeth, which can lead to tooth decay
27:57and other issues.
27:58In the long run, it's probably healthier to try to eat a real bear, although we don't
28:02recommend that either.
28:04You might think that veggie chips are a healthy choice, but in comparison to regular potato
28:08chips, they aren't much better.
28:10They do have a dash of vegetable powder, which seems mostly to add color, but they
28:14have about as much fat and calories as potato chips, and a lot more sodium.
28:18Their name can also be a little misleading, as the main ingredient in multiple brands
28:21is still either potato starch or potato flour, or both.
28:25Despite the name, vegetable chips aren't the best items to include on your diet menu.
28:30Molasses is a syrup used in a number of foods as a sweetener, like baked beans and gingersnaps.
28:34It's a byproduct of the sugar refining process, but Livestrong suggests that molasses is functionally
28:39similar to white sugar and contains a similar amount of calories per serving.
28:43Ultimately, sugar is sugar, and though molasses has some trace nutrients that make it slightly
28:47healthier than pure white sugar, it should still only be consumed in small amounts.
28:52Packaged lunch meats are cheap, convenient, and seem to offer an altogether decent meal
28:56option, but let us know if you want the real truth.
28:58What, uh, what's, what's happening here?
29:02All right, well, for starters, packaged lunch meats are often high in salt and saturated
29:07fat, which we know by now can have serious consequences in the long run.
29:10But the New York Times reports that there's also a link between lunch meat consumption
29:13and colorectal cancer, while Cleveland Clinic says packaged lunch meats have been linked
29:17to obesity and heart disease.
29:19They suggest choosing fresh meat over prepackaged and processed meat.
29:23Some of our most beloved childhood snacks just don't look so good in retrospect.
29:27Saltwater taffy, for example, is made with sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt.
29:32These seven pieces of saltwater taffy contain 160 calories and more than 20 grams of sugar,
29:37according to Very Well Fit.
29:38Eating these sweets is one easy way to rapidly overdo your sugar intake.
29:43Not all fried chicken is made equally, but none of it is a health winner.
29:46KFC's chicken, for example, is very high in sodium, calories, and fat.
29:50Homemade stuff isn't usually much better, just by virtue of all the breading and fry
29:54oil.
29:55Even with fried chicken tenders, you're still getting about 500 calories in just one serving,
29:59according to Very Well Fit.
30:00As with other fried foods, fried chicken is best enjoyed in moderation.
30:05Beans are healthy.
30:06Sugar is not.
30:07And if you coat your beans in sugar, well, you're losing out on a lot of the good stuff.
30:11One serving of Bush's baked beans, for example, has 12 grams of sugar, not to mention 570
30:15milligrams of sodium.
30:17All that added sugar could potentially put you at risk for developing heart disease or
30:20even type 2 diabetes, according to Healthline.
30:23Plus, canned baked beans have other additives to be wary of, including those used for coloring.
30:28You might think that you're doing yourself a favor by avoiding sugar and going for an
30:32artificial sweetener instead.
30:33But unfortunately, sweeteners have their own downsides.
30:36For example, The Healthy says that the artificial sweetener sorbitol is digested especially
30:41slowly, and this delayed digestion can lead to bloating and gassiness, plus some extra
30:45time on the toilet.
30:46Aspartame, sucralose, saccharin — take your pick.
30:53They've all had their share of conflicting health studies.
30:55If you can skip the artificial sweeteners, it may be for the best.
30:59As you could probably guess, pizza is one of the worst foods in the world for your health.
31:03It's mainly dough, sauce, and cheese, which isn't an ideal start.
31:07Depending on your chain of choice, you might also find your slices dripping with oil from
31:10the cheese.
31:11Put it all together, and you're looking at potential weight gain and other health issues.
31:15Calories aside, pizza is also usually high in sodium and saturated fat.
31:19Though it may be tasty, pizza is not good for you.
31:22If handled and prepared properly, raw salmon is perfectly safe.
31:25The risks come when safety protocols are neglected.
31:28The CBC reports that one consumer pulled dozens of parasitic worms called nematodes from her
31:33sockeye salmon filet.
31:34If these had been ingested raw, they could have caused gastroenteritis or infection.
31:38Fortunately, cooking or freezing at very low temperatures will kill these pesky parasites.
31:43In fact, the FDA requires fish to be frozen under specific parameters for it to be labeled
31:47sushi-grade, so you don't really have to worry about parasites from a good sushi restaurant.
31:52On a different note, you also might want to steer clear of farmed salmon.
31:55Healthline warns that farmed salmon can be contaminated with potentially carcinogenic
31:59chemicals, though this issue has improved in recent years.
32:02Bread pudding is a delicious dessert, but it's also chock-full of carbohydrates and
32:06sugar.
32:07The Food Network says that a classic bread pudding recipe could have 600 calories or
32:10more, plus 30 grams of fat in one serving.
32:13Thankfully, there are ways to make this recipe a bit lighter by using slightly different
32:17ingredients such as low-fat milk or unsweetened bread.
32:20If you go with the classic version, this is definitely one of those items that you
32:23want to eat in moderation.
32:25Oftentimes, we overlook the sauces we eat when considering our dietary intake, but that's
32:29a huge mistake.
32:31According to Very Well Fit, just two tablespoons of barbecue sauce can contain 70 calories
32:35and 15 grams of sugar.
32:37This is not even counting whatever food the barbecue sauce is coating.
32:40Therefore, you need to be really careful not to overdo it when you're eating barbecued
32:43foods, because a surprising amount of your caloric intake will come just from the sauce
32:47that your dish is smothered in.
32:49Garlic bread may be delicious, but it's a high-carbohydrate food.
32:52It's also slathered in butter and, usually, salt.
32:55You may be tempted to eat an entire garlic bread loaf, but if you care about your health,
32:59you'll want to reconsider.
33:00According to The Nest, just one slice of garlic bread can contain 150 calories, which is pretty
33:05high for something you're probably eating as a side to a full meal.
33:08SFGate suggests cutting back on the carbs when possible, and garlic bread is a great
33:12place to start.
33:14It may surprise you to learn that many sports drinks can contain just as much sugar as energy
33:18drinks and sodas.
33:19University of Michigan Health says sports drinks offer little nutritional value, and
33:23because of the added sugar, they can actually lead to weight gain.
33:26Sports drinks may help with hydration, but considering all the other things they contain,
33:30a better choice would be just to drink water.
33:33Fruit snacks are more than a little misleading.
33:35They actually contain little to no fruit, but do tend to have quite a lot of sugar.
33:38Welch's fruit snacks, for example, have 15 grams of sugar in each pouch.
33:42As the Food Network puts it, they're basically just sugar and dyes.
33:46In other words, this is not the healthy snack you might have imagined.
33:49Looking for a fruit snack?
33:50Just grab some fruit.
33:51"'Fruit-flavored snacks'?
33:53What's wrong with these people?
33:54There's barely any fruit in there!"
33:57Swordfish has the same problem as tuna.
33:59It's near the top of the food chain, so it has ample opportunity to bioaccumulate loads
34:03of mercury before it's caught, filleted, and served up on a plate.
34:07Swordfish can also carry dangerous toxins called organochlorines that may be harmful
34:11to human health, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
34:13So even if you only have swordfish once or twice a year, you might want to consider choosing
34:17an alternative even for those special occasions.
34:20The health benefits and risks of chocolate have been highly debated over the years.
34:24However, it's undeniable that processed chocolate contains sugar.
34:28Unless you're eating very bitter chocolate that is mostly cacao beans, most of the chocolate
34:31you'll find on supermarket shelves is not healthy.
34:34The British Heart Foundation says that the sugar and saturated fat found in chocolate
34:38can contribute to weight gain and heart disease.
34:41According to Insider, there are a lot of reasons to avoid white rice as a side or
34:44complement for your main course.
34:46Harvard Medical School has suggested that white rice has a similar effect on the body
34:50as eating table sugar.
34:51It's also bleached, and though it's a staple all around the world, it's not as nutritious
34:55as other varieties, such as brown rice.
34:57The main difference is that brown rice still has its outer layer of rice bran and the germ,
35:01giving it more nutrients and making it a better choice than white rice.
35:05If you've ever tasted beef jerky, you should already know that the salty flavor many people
35:09love doesn't exactly bode well for health.
35:12Beef jerky is highly processed and often contains nitrates to help preserve it for long periods
35:16of time.
35:17As we've seen in other processed meats, these nitrates can contribute to cancer risk.
35:21According to Livestrong, one ounce of beef jerky can contain over 1,700 milligrams of
35:25sodium, which is close to your daily limit.
35:27If beef jerky is your go-to snack, you ought to consider switching to something healthier.
35:32Although fruit in general is healthy, fruit cans in a heavy syrup can contain, unsurprisingly,
35:37a good deal of added sugar.
35:38The Food Network says that canned fruits, such as pears, can have almost twice the calories
35:42in sugar as fresh fruits.
35:44Some brands of canned fruits also contain artificial colors.
35:47Although they may work in a pinch if fresh foods aren't an option, you want to stick
35:50with fresh as much as possible.
35:53Cake is a tasty treat, and so long as you're only indulging in a small piece of cake on
35:56your birthday, or perhaps a few times a year, you should be fine.
36:00But keep in mind that cake is high in sugar and basically contains no nutritional benefits.
36:04Ugh.
36:05What?
36:06One Wegman's sheet cake, for example, has more than 300 calories and 30 grams of sugar
36:13per slice.
36:14Livestrong suggests that a large portion of the calories and sugar are in the frosting,
36:18so going without that topping can make the cake at least a little healthier.
36:21You could also consider a birthday fruit salad instead if you want to go for a healthier
36:25choice.
36:27Instant ramen has a reputation for being unhealthy, and it should come as no surprise to learn
36:31that the reputation isn't entirely unwarranted.
36:34According to Keck Medicine, instant ramen has been linked to an increased risk of stroke,
36:37liver damage, and heart disease, thanks to the sodium and saturated fats it contains.
36:42Instant noodles are often preserved with a petroleum-based product called TBHQ, as well
36:46as other additive ingredients that may be harmful to health.
36:49It might be cheap and easy in the short term, but you end up paying for ramen in the long
36:52run.
36:54Whether you sweeten your iced tea with sugar or artificial sweeteners, you're not doing
36:57your health any favors by drinking it.
36:59Iced tea obviously has way more calories than unsweetened tea, around 70 or more per
37:038-ounce serving.
37:05Since it's pretty easy to gulp down several glasses on a hot day, or while dining in a
37:08restaurant, that adds up, fast.
37:10So I'll take the tea without the covert diabetes delivery mechanism, please.
37:14The caffeine in the tea adds up, too, which can sneak up on you since iced tea doesn't
37:18feel like an especially caffeinated drink.
37:21Cherry, apple, blueberry, fruit pies are a favorite dessert for many of us.
37:25They are also unfortunately very high in sugar, as most desserts are, and packaged pies or
37:30frozen tend to contain highly processed fruit fillings that pack in a lot of calories.
37:35The Food Network says that one slice will typically have more than 400 calories and
37:39could contain hydrogenated oils.
37:40Also, these sugar-rich fruit fillings can contribute to tooth decay.
37:45Jalapeno poppers are a little bit of spice and a whole lot of nice, but they represent
37:48yet another fried food, and we know what that means.
37:51One order of poppers from Carl's Jr. has enough calories and fat to make a dietician
37:55faint, and unfortunately, making them at home isn't necessarily any better.
37:59One recipe from The Spruce Eats actually has worse nutrition facts than the fast food version,
38:04with 392 calories and 29 grams of fat per serving.
38:08Deviled eggs are a taste of home for many of us.
38:10You might confuse these sides with health food because they're still just eggs redistributed
38:14into a more palatable form.
38:16Surely eggs aren't bad for you, right?
38:18Well, for starters, if you're watching your cholesterol, they're probably something to
38:21avoid on principle, and the added salt and mayo has the unfortunate side effect of turning
38:25a simple hen fruit into a petri dish of fat and sodium.
38:28If you limit yourself to just one or two, you'll be fine.
38:31Just don't take a crack at a whole platter of them.
38:34Most of us are more concerned about the health effects of a shark eating us, but it's still
38:38a dish you can find at some seafood restaurants.
38:41And it's probably one you should think twice about, thanks to our old friend mercury.
38:45High concentrations of mercury are often found in large, predatory fish, according to the
38:49NRDC, and cannot be removed.
38:51CNN warns that ingesting too much mercury can lead to blindness, and in some cases,
38:55death.
38:56So stick to the old wisdom, don't feed the sharks, and don't feed on the sharks.
39:01Marshmallows are a mix of sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin that's whipped up to form a light,
39:05airy structure.
39:06Chemical & Engineering News offers a playful description as,
39:09"...a marshmallow is basically a foam that's stabilized by gelatin."
39:13Essentially, they're a bit of a non-food, and contain high amounts of sugar without
39:17offering much nutritional benefit at all.
39:19So long as you eat them in moderation, you won't do too much damage, but keep in mind
39:23that the handful of calories in each one can add up quickly.
39:27Is it cheating to include fried Oreos on a list of unhealthy foods?
39:30Oreos are bad enough, but when you take one, dip it in batter, and fry it, you're clearly
39:34making a next-level calorie bomb.
39:36Of course, they taste amazing, but you should eat these very rarely, if ever.
39:40They're high in calories, trans fat, and all the other terrible and unhealthy things you
39:44find in fried foods.
39:45Biltlein says that just five fried Oreos will have nearly 900 calories, 48 grams of fat,
39:51and more than 50 grams of sugar.
39:53The Baltimore Sun suggests that perhaps we should consider each cookie to be its own
39:56serving.
39:57Twinkies are one of those quintessential food items you might think of when you imagine
40:01what processed food looks like.
40:03But sometimes, there's just nothing else that'll scratch that unique itch.
40:06"...I could use a Twinkie."
40:10And these treats from Hostess are indeed unique, consisting of a cake sponge outer shell with
40:14a white, creamy center.
40:16These are basically just sugar, fat, and calories, yet they remain popular as ever.
40:20Food Matters calls Twinkies a health hazard, citing the fact that only five of a Twinkie's
40:2537 ingredients are recognizable as food.
40:27So maybe save these for the apocalypse.
40:29With that list of preservatives, they aren't going bad any time soon.
40:33"...Snowballs?"
40:34"...Yeah."
40:35"...Snowballs?!
40:36Where's the f----- Twinkies?!"
40:42As delicious as it is on pizza, pepperoni is, unfortunately, a cured meat that's high
40:46in saturated fat, sodium, and nitrates.
40:49SFGate says that eating pepperoni can lead to high cholesterol and increase your risk
40:53of type 2 diabetes.
40:54The saturated fat in pepperoni can also lead to cognitive decline and infertility, according
40:59to the Harvard School of Public Health.
41:00If you can't resist eating pizza, you ought to at least skip this particular topping.
41:05Honey buns are a well-known treat that you'll find at most grocery stores and gas stations,
41:09They contain a worrying number of chemicals and additives, some of which are potentially
41:13dangerous.
41:14CBS News reports that honey buns from Little Debbie contain a chemical called azodicarbonamide,
41:19and though it's FDA-approved and considered unharmful, it's also used in the production
41:23of yoga mats and shoe soles.
41:24Aside from the chemical controversy, you'd do well to avoid them based solely on the
41:28nutrition facts.
41:29They're super high in sugar and contain no significant nutritional value.
41:34Spam is a processed meat you might recognize as the punching bag of the food world.
41:38Anytime weird, unhealthy, or mystery foods are brought up, spam tends to get a mention.
41:43It's not totally without merit, though.
41:45Like the other cured meats on this list, it contains sodium nitrite.
41:48As a food, it's low in nutritional value, according to Healthline, and has high levels
41:52of fat, calories, and sodium that make it a poor choice for a meal.
41:56Crunchy packaged pretzels might not seem too bad for you, but they're little more than
42:00carbohydrates and sodium.
42:01Plus, many of us will just sit and mindlessly eat handfuls of pretzels without considering
42:05how much we're going through.
42:07According to Healthline, pretzels are best consumed occasionally, as they don't contain
42:11many beneficial nutrients and will increase your intake of carbs and sodium.
42:15Try to limit your pretzel intake, even if you're at a bar or munching on snack mix.
42:19Whipped cream and other whipped toppings are generally pretty unhealthy.
42:23Whipped cream is high in calories.
42:25Just two tablespoons has 100 calories and 10 grams of fat, according to the Food Network.
42:29Store-bought whipped topping also tends to be made with hydrogenated oils and high-fructose
42:33corn syrup.
42:34If it tastes good, whipped cream is a sugary treat and ought to be used sparingly.
42:39When you get right down to it, cookies are basically sugar, butter, and flour.
42:43That's not a great start, and that's when you make them in your kitchen.
42:46Packaged cookies like Chips Ahoy and Famous Amos have about a dozen additional ingredients.
42:51According to Healthline, processed cookies can lead to weight gain and high blood pressure.
42:55But it's not all doom and gloom.
42:56As with most of these foods, cookies are probably just fine in moderation.
43:00Take a cookie.
43:03I promise by the time you're done eating it, you'll feel right as rain.