100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet, According to Science

It’s completely normal to crave sweet treats like cake, donuts, and ice cream or savory snacks like chips, pretzels, and salty french fries.

And sometimes, it’s perfectly fine to treat yourself and satisfy those cravings. But while enjoying these indulgences in moderation is okay, it’s also important to recognize that many foods and drinks can negatively impact your health if they become staples in your diet.

Being aware of what’s actually in the foods you eat can make a big difference—especially in the U.S., where many common foods are loaded with added sugars, sodium, saturated and trans fats, and hard-to-pronounce chemicals, yet often lack essential nutrients like fiber and protein.

To help you make more informed choices, we’ve compiled a list of the 100 unhealthiest foods and drinks on the planet, along with why they might be worth avoiding. Read on, and don’t miss the 50 Unhealthiest Snacks on the Planet.

Potato Chips

Unhealthy Ingredients: High amounts of sodium, artificial colors, very low levels of fiber.

Savory lovers know the temporary satisfaction of chowing down on their favorite bag of chips, but this ultra-processed food isn’t a snack that will leave you feeling satiated. Most bags of potato chips have higher levels of sodium and little to no fiber, while some also contain artificial flavors and colors.

Take Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Chips, for example. These addicting chips are made with Yellow 5 and Yellow 6—two common food dyes that are considered animal and human carcinogens.

Eat this instead: “WILDE Protein Chips are crispy chips—minus the potato,” says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, registered dietitian and author of The First Time Mom’s Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility. “Made with real chicken breast, egg whites, and bone broth, these chips deliver 10 grams of protein per serving with no food dyes.”

The 6 Healthiest Potato Chips, According to Dietitians

Ice Cream

Unhealthy Ingredients: Too much added sugar.

When it’s time to cozy up on the couch after dinner for your favorite show, a pint of ice cream may be your dessert of choice. While some pints may not be all that bad, most popular brands come loaded with more added sugar than the 25-36 gram limit that is recommended in an entire day.

For instance, a popular choice from Ben & Jerry’s—Chubby Hubby—contains 27 grams of added sugar per 2/3-cup serving and a whopping 82 grams per pint. Knowing how easy it is to finish off a pint in one sitting, this ice cream can quickly give you three days’ worth of added sugar.

Eat this instead: Fear not, ice cream lovers. Even though many popular pints on the market are full of sugar, plenty of brands are making healthier ice creams.

Processed Red Meat

Unhealthy Ingredients: Sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and sodium phosphate.

Processed red meat is any type of red meat (think pork, beef, lamb) that has been cured or preserved in any way. This includes things like pepperoni, salami, bacon, sausage, roast beef, hot dogs, etc.).

Even though these products are made to taste delicious, research shows time and time again that there are risks involved with eating red meat that is processed. Processed red meat consumption has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, and many of these risks have to do with the additives used to preserve these meats, such as sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and sodium phosphate.

Eat this instead: “Impossible Sausage is a meat-free sausage option that is free from all of the questionable ingredients mentioned above,” says Manaker. “The flavor of this sausage is uncanny—making it a great option for processed meat lovers who want to minimize their intake.”

Instant Ramen

Unhealthy Ingredients: Extremely high levels of sodium

There’s much to be adored about instant ramen. It’s cheap, delicious, and comforting after a long night out or on a cold wintery night. But if you’re a ramen lover, be careful of the brands you choose, as this food is often riddled with sodium—sometimes more than half of your daily recommended limit, like the 1,620 milligrams you’d get in a serving of Nissan Top Ramen.

Eat this instead: “Lotus Foods Organic Millet and Brown Rice Ramen allows you to have more control over the ingredients you add to your ramen,” says Manaker. “The whole grain noodles are ready in minutes, and you can add them to any rich (or light) broth that suits your needs.”

10 Best & Worst Instant Ramens, According to a Dietitian

Store-Bought Cake

Unhealthy Ingredients: Large amounts of added sugar, artificial colorings, and preservatives.

Of course, it’s much easier to buy a store-bought cake instead of making one from scratch, and we aren’t recommending that you make one on your own every time if it isn’t something you enjoy or have time for. Unfortunately, when you head to a store like Costco, Sam’s Club, or your local grocery store for a full cake or just a slice, you don’t have any control over all of the ingredients that go inside. And more often than not, these cakes are full of added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Let’s take a look at David’s Cookies Mile High Peanut Butter Cake, which you can find in the Costco Bakery. It’s a no-brainer that this cake is going to taste good, but the ingredients list seems to include every additive you can dream up. From things like Red 40 (an artificial dye), corn syrup, palm oil, mono & diglycerides, the list goes on and on. And in terms of nutrition, in just one slice you’ll get 820 calories, 19 grams of saturated fat, and 71 grams of added sugar.

Eat this instead: We always recommend making your desserts at home when you have the time. For some healthier (but still delicious) cakes, check out these recipes.

Crackers

Unhealthy Ingredients: Refined flour with very little to no fiber, artificial colors, and preservatives in some brands

Depending on the type of cracker you buy, this snack can either be fiber-rich or one that is entirely void of nutrients. Even though some crackers are made with whole grains, many popular brands are made from refined flour and ultra-processed ingredients.

The RITZ Bits Cheese Cracker Sandwiches are marketed as containing “real cheese,” but the ingredients list consists of cheddar cheese powder, leavening, palm oil, and sodium phosphate—which is an additive that has been linked to accelerated aging and vascular damage.

Eat this instead: For a healthier cracker alternative, Manaker suggests Maine Crisps. “Buckwheat is having a moment, thanks to the antioxidants and fiber this grain provides,” she says. “These buckwheat-based crackers are also gluten-free, non-GMO, and sustainably sourced.”

The 15 Healthiest Store-Bought Crackers, According to Dietitians

Tortilla Chips

Unhealthy Ingredients: High levels of sodium, low levels of fiber, artificial colors.

Whether you’re buying tortilla chips at the grocery store or enjoying a bowl of extra salty ones at your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, this snack is better consumed in moderation when you can.

Most restaurant chips contain extremely high levels of sodium (which many of us may wash down with the 2-for-1 margarita deal), but store-bought varieties are often no better.

If you look at Doritos Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch Chips, you’ll notice that not only are they high in sodium, but they contain nearly every artificial dye you can think of, Red 40, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1.

Eat this instead: “HIPPEAS Nacho Vibe Chickpea Tortilla Chips are free from artificial ingredients and they contain plant-based protein and fiber, thanks to the chickpea addition,” says Manaker.

Pretzels

Unhealthy Ingredients: Refined flours, high amounts of sodium, and a lack of fiber and protein.

Pretzels have the opportunity to be a healthy snack, with plenty of brands making nutrient-rich options for their customers. However, there are just as many brands out there that make pretzels that contain white refined flour and are high in sodium.

A serving of Extra Salt Splits from Unique Snacks, for example, contains almost 1,000 milligrams of sodium! According to the CDC, consistently consuming too much sodium throughout the day can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Eat this instead: You can easily find healthier pretzel brands at the store that are made with better ingredients and contain less sodium. We love brands like From The Ground Up and Fit Joy.

Bread Bowls

Unhealthy Ingredients: Extremely high levels of refined carbohydrates with little to no fiber.

Panera made the bread bowl famous, but now you can find this dish at plenty of restaurants around the country. Made with a loaf of bread, this fully edible “bowl” contains your soup of choice to create the most comforting dish you can think of. There’s one big problem here, and that’s the fact that this dish is extremely high in carbohydrates and contains very little fiber to help prevent blood sugar spikes. If you were to go to Panera and order their Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup Bread Bowl, for instance, you’re looking at almost 150 grams of carbohydrates and only 4 grams of fiber. Over time, consistently experiencing blood sugar spikes can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Eat this instead: “Try ordering your soup in a traditional bowl instead!” says Manaker. And if you’re at Panera and order a regular bowl of soup, you can still get a piece of bread as your side to satisfy those carb cravings.

Packaged Cookies

Unhealthy Ingredients: Added sugars, artificial flavors, artificial colors.

When you’re craving cookies, you’re better off making some from scratch. Yes, it takes more effort, but if you have the time, you’ll be able to avoid the artificial flavors and colors hiding in your favorite store-bought cookies—such as Oreos, Mrs. Fields, and Famous Amos Cookies.

Eat this instead: “Siete Grain Free Cookies are made from quality ingredients (like chickpea flour) and are free from anything artificial,” says Manaker. “Plus, they are absolutely delish.”

For the complete list, read the original article by Eat This, Not That!

Sources referenced in this article