21 Foods Once Believed to Be Healthy

Fruit juice cocktails and juice flavored soft drinks can be just as high in sugar as an average soda, and often contain artificial colors and flavoring. Although some may offer a token amount of nutrients, the resulting spike in blood glucose levels is similar to the effects of drinking a cola.

Although many nutritionists now consider agave to be worse than sugar, it was once touted as a low-glycemic natural sweetener, agave syrup is actually higher in fructose than high-fructose corn syrup, and contains virtually no fiber or nutritional benefits. High fructose intake may contribute to insulin resistance, heart disease, and diabetes.

Bran muffins were once marketed as a healthy breakfast option, but they often contain only 3 grams of fiber, and can pack in 400 calories and 36 grams of sugar. For reference, the American Heart Association recommends an intake of no more than 24 to 36 grams of sugar a day.

Once believed to be a great way to start the day, breakfast cereals are often made with refined grains that offer little protein or fiber. With mini marshmallows, candy bar flavors, and frosted coatings, they have excessive levels of sugar and are the third-largest food source of added sugars in children and adolescent diets.

This is a highly refined oil that was once considered healthy because it’s low in saturated fat. However, it is usually processed using heat and chemical extraction, which can lead to molecular instability which means canola oil can oxidize or go rancid very easily.

Canned soups have been around since the late 19th century, but only recently have they come under fire for their extreme sodium contents. Even low-sodium varieties should be avoided by those with hypertension and while there may be many brands touted as healthy, it’s always best to avoid any canned varieties.

Although they don’t have traditional sugar, diet sodas still contain sweeteners which are linked to even more serious issues. In addition to being linked to weight gain, they also have been found to give drinkers a higher risk for metabolic syndrome. This may be because the sweet taste without the calories actually makes people crave more sugary and calorie-rich foods.

While some oatmeal can be good for you, there are others that negate any health benefits. Flavored oatmeal packets are seen as a quick, healthy way to start the day but the added sugar in some varieties can account for half of the ADA’s recommended daily allowance of sugar. Many people now choose to make their own oatmeal with a sprinkle of dried fruits and nuts.

Frozen diet dinners were once a staple for people watching their weight. While they may be low in calories, many are still incredibly high in sodium and preservatives while containing less nutrients than home-cooked meals made with whole foods.

The popularity of frozen yogurt was a a peak in the ’80s and saw a short recurrence in the early 2000s. This dairy concoction was touted as a healthy alternative to ice cream because of its lower fat content, but like many diet foods, it often contains even more sugar than regular version. It doesn’t help when people add multiple candy toppings and sugary sauces.

These gooey, squishy former lunch box staples are tiny little sugar bombs with none of the fiber or nutrients that real fruits offer, but plenty of artificial colors and flavors. They may be tasty – and convenient when you’re hungry for a small snack – but if it’s a fruity snack you’re searching for, stick with the real thing and grab a piece of fruit.

Granola bars became popular in the ’70s and ’80s and even today they are a staple in stores worldwide. Typically comprised of whole grain oats, which may good for you, but many often have chocolate chips, some high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils, and what once was a healthy snack has now been transformed into a high calorie, low nutrient snack.

This low in saturated fat spread was once regarded as being healthier than butter but margarine commonly contains trans fats, which are associated with a higher risk of heart disease and can also raise your LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.

Meal replacement shakes were created as an way to provide nutritious meals in a easy-to-eat form. Along with diet shakes, which were intended as a way to fuel the body while cutting back on calories, these meal replacements seem to get a makeover every few decades. They may be a convenient way to get nutrients, they many are also loaded with sugar. Some popular diet shakes contain as much sugar as a candy bar.

Commercial whole grain bread saw a rise in popularity when the benefits of a fiber rich diet was discovered. But not all breads are created equal and reading ingredient labels is key when selecting bread. Many multi-grain breads still rely on refined wheat flour as their main ingredient, and some have high sugar contents due to added corn syrup, molasses, or honey.

Protein bars became a popular snack in the mid ’90s, prompting one New York Times writer to label them “a high octane snack for yuppies and fitness freaks.” These high-octane snacks eventually made it into the mainstream, becoming a snack staple for many people. They may be helpful for athletes and weightlifters, but protein bars are far from health food and are unnecessary for those who eat a balanced diet. Many contain artificial flavors and colors, corn syrup, oils, and thickening agents.

Rice cakes reigned supreme during the health food boom of the ’80s, touted as the ultimate low-carb, low fat snack. They may not contain many calories but they also don’t contain much of anything else. They are nearly devoid of fiber, protein, and nutrients. In addition, the flavored varieties can also be high in sodium.

Another item intended for athletes, sports drinks can help in the recovery of electrolytes that are lost after intense workouts, but most people won’t benefit from drinking them on a daily basis. They are often loaded with artificial colors and flavorings, as well as added sugar.

Turkey bacon is a lower fat alternative to bacon as well as those who do not consume port for various reasons. This bacon substitute became popular in the ’90s and although it may have less calories than pork bacon, it’s still a processed meat product with fat, sodium, and nitrate contents that are something to be avoided.

Wraps are thought to be healthy because they contain vegetables, a protein, and a grain. Many people often chose them over sandwiches, also believing they were less in carbohydrates. However, a single wrap can have more calories than two slices of bread but appear to have less mass because it is unleavened and more dense. Some wraps even have mostly fillers, like grains, and less protein and vegetables, which doesn’t add much of a nutritional impact.

While unflavored yogurt is a great source of protein and calcium, flavored yogurt cups are generally very high in sugar, with fat-free varieties sometimes containing 20 grams in one serving. The fruit concoction on the bottom adds to the sugar as well. Many people now opt for unflavored Greek yogurt that can be embellished with fresh fruit or nut butter.