15 Foods Your Doctor Would Never Eat, but You Don’t Mind Having Them

As we stroll down supermarket aisles or peruse restaurant menus, there are certain tempting foods we find ourselves gravitating to again and again. Despite the warnings, these are the indulgences we can’t seem to resist, even though we’re fully aware that our doctors would steer clear of them.

This list will bring those guilty pleasures to light, exploring why your physician might avoid them.

Processed Meats

Processed Meats
Photo Credit: Canva

Processed meats like salami, pepperoni, and sausage cause various health issues, including increased risk for cancer and heart disease. They are also usually high in sodium and saturated fat, which increase blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Doctors advise their patients to avoid processed meats as much as possible.

White Bread

white bread
Photo Credit: Canva

White bread and other refined carbohydrates are made with processed flour and added sugar. They quickly digest, leading to a spike in blood sugar levels. Eating large amounts of white bread can put you at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, and doctors usually recommend opting for whole-grain options like rye or multigrain instead.

Margarine

margarine
Photo Credit: Canva

Margarine is a processed food made with hydrogenated vegetable oil, so it’s very high in trans-fats. Trans fats increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease, so doctors suggest using other butter or oil instead. For instance, extra virgin olive oil can help reduce inflammation and cholesterol levels.

Soda and Sugary Drinks

Iced soda in glass
Photo Credit: Canva

Soft drinks are high in sugar and calories but offer no nutritional value. They can also cause tooth decay, increase inflammation, and lead to weight gain. Doctors would rather you limit your consumption of sugary beverages or, better yet, replace them with water or unsweetened tea.

Candy Bars

candy
Photo Credit: Canva

Candy bars contain artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, sugar, and unhealthy trans-fats. Consuming candy bars can contribute to dental issues, obesity, and other health risks. Health professionals suggest healthier alternatives like fruits or nuts when snacking to promote overall well-being.

Fast Food

Fast Food
Photo Credit: Canva

Fast food is full of sodium, fat, and calories which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Eating fast food regularly also increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Home-cooked meals offer better control over ingredients and portion sizes, allowing for a more balanced and nutritious diet.

Canned Soups

canned soup
Photo Credit: Canva

Canned soups contain unhealthy ingredients like salt, MSG, a flavor enhancer, sugar, fat, and preservatives that can damage your organs. Also, these additives cause behavioral problems in children, so prepare soups at home using fresh and nutritious ingredients or look for canned soup options with lower sodium content, minimal additives, and more natural ingredients.

Donuts

Cider Donuts
Photo Credit: Canva

Indulging in donuts, which are loaded with calories and empty carbs, contributes to the onset of diabetes. Making donuts involves frying unhealthy fats, such as shortening or oil, which raises cholesterol. Greek yogurt with blueberries or oatmeal topped with almonds are healthier options for breakfast.

Microwave Popcorn

Popcorn
Photo Credit: Canva

Microwave popcorn is a popular snack containing unhealthy chemicals, like diacetyl, that cause lung damage and increased cancer risk. Trans fats used in cooking microwave popcorn contribute to high cholesterol and the development of cardiovascular diseases. You can make stovetop popcorn using healthier oils and seasonings or air-popped popcorn, which doesn’t contain added unhealthy ingredients.

Energy Drinks

energy drink
Photo Credit: Canva

Energy drinks are notorious for their high sugar content, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine. When consumed excessively, these components can wreak havoc on your body, leading to unpleasant effects like insomnia, muscle cramps, headaches, and dehydration.

Artificial Sweeteners

artificial sweetened powder flatlay
Photo Credit: Canva

Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes used to add sweetness to foods and beverages without the added calories of sugar. They are often used in products marketed as “diet” or “sugar-free” to cater to individuals looking to reduce their sugar intake or manage their calorie consumption. Natural sources of sweetness like honey, molasses, or maple syrup are healthier alternatives.

Refined Vegetable Oil

woman pouring cooking oil into frying pan
Photo Credit: Canva

Refined vegetable oil, commonly used in cooking, contains high levels of saturated fats, trans fats, and unhealthy omega-6 fatty acids. Saturated and trans fats increase LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) in the blood and contribute to heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids, especially when not balanced with omega-3 fatty acids, promotes inflammation.

Processed Cheese

cheese 1
Photo Credit: Canva

Consuming processed cheese poses health risks due to its high sodium and saturated fat content, which elevates the chances of developing heart disease. Also, it contains unhealthy preservatives and additives that may not benefit overall health. These preservatives negatively affect vital organs and result in other health concerns over time.

High-Mercury Fish

tilefish
Photo Credit: Canva

Fish is a healthy, low-calorie source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, but mackerel, shark, orange roughy, swordfish, and tilefish contain high levels of mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal that accumulates in the bodies of fish through their diet and water sources. Consuming fish with high mercury can harm human health, particularly for pregnant women and young children, as it damages the nervous system and causes developmental and reproductive issues.

Artificial Colors and Flavors

soft drinks and ice
Photo Credit: Canva

Artificial colors and flavors are added to processed foods to make them more visually appealing and increase their shelf life. However, too much consumption of these additives leads to allergic reactions in some people and causes behavioral problems in children. Doctors advise avoiding processed food with artificial colors and flavors and opting for real, natural ingredients whenever possible.

More From Health Makes You

woman with stomach pain
Photo Credit: Canva

Eating is essential to your survival, but many food items can cause serious harm and put you at risk of death if ingested in large quantities or not prepared properly. Some of them are common foods you consume every day.

30 Dangerous Foods You Didn’t Know Could Kill You

16 Foods Boomers Love That Millennials Won’t Touch

disatisfied woman gesturing with thumbs down
Photo credit: Canva

The generation gap between Baby Boomers and Millennials can be seen in many aspects of life, from how they dress and listen to music to how they shop and eat. Here’s a look at some dishes Boomers love, but Millennials won’t touch.

16 Foods Boomers Love That Millennials Won’t Touch

The Top 25 Most Popular Foods in America You Must Try Once in Your Life

crab cakes
Photo credit: Canva

America is a melting pot of cultures, and its cuisine reflects that. From coast to coast, you can find all sorts of unique dishes that are delicious and nutritious. Here’s a list of the top 25 most popular foods in America that you must try at least once in your life!

The Top 25 Most Popular Foods in America You Must Try Once in Your Life

15 Foods Americans Eat That Foreigners Find Disgusting

Mayonnaise Salads
Photo credit: Canva

Americans have various culinary preferences, and some foods popular in the United States may seem strange or even disgusting to foreigners. Here are some foods Americans eat that foreigners find most disgusting.

15 Foods Americans Eat That Foreigners Find Disgusting

10 Foods That Look Amazing But Actually Taste Terrible

Fairy Bread
Photo Credit: Canva

Some foods just look better than they taste. From rainbow bagels to grapefruit, here are some of the most visually appealing but unfortunately bad-tasting food items out there.

10 Foods That Look Amazing But Actually Taste Terrible

This article was produced on Health Makes You.

Yvonne Alieme

Yvonne Alieme is a passionate writer dedicated to reviving society's reading culture. She strives to inspire and educate others through her work, and her commitment to promoting literacy and knowledge-sharing makes her a valuable contributor to the community.

Recent Posts