5 "Healthy" Foods That Are Actually Trash for Your Health

The marketing industry has made America fat.

Over 42% of America is obese, and that number is expected to increase to 50% by the year 2030. It’s an ongoing crisis that continues to worsen. And sadly, food companies don’t care.

There’s a gym on every corner, and free information on getting in shape is available online.

So this begs the question: Why is America so overweight?

Casting accidents and birth defects aside and assuming we’re talking about healthy, full-bodied individuals, the answer is surprisingly simple: We’re fed (pun intended) false information. So, everyone is confused about what’s actually healthy.

It’s important to remember that food companies are businesses. And the job of any business to be successful is to make profits.

The last thing a food company wants is the public to stop buying their products.

They will call and market their products “healthy,” and while that isn’t necessarily a lie, it isn’t the whole truth.

Some of their products’ ingredients may indeed be healthy. But the other 27 added ingredients aren’t. Those added ingredients make their products taste better and get you–the consumer–addicted to continue buying.

So, to clear the confusion, here are five of the “healthiest” foods America thinks are good for them but aren’t.

Protein Bars

Protein is an essential macronutrient for life, health, and, of course, our stunning muscles.

However, not all protein sources are good for our health, longevity, and well-being.

Protein is critical to repairing muscle breakdown, but most protein bars are hardly healthy, and you should avoid them at all costs. They’re no different from a Snickers bar, except with an added 20-30 grams of protein.

Between belly-bloating soy, sodium, artificial colors, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup, most protein bars are potential saboteurs to your well-being.

Those sugar-free or low-carb protein bars are no better; research published in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine links the artificial sweeteners used to flavor many low-sugar foods to an increased risk for weight gain and sugar cravings.

Plus, protein bars aren’t the fastest way for your body to absorb protein. Protein shakes are.

However, we will always recommend getting real food whenever possible.

But if you have to supplement with protein, you’re better off with high-quality protein shakes versus the bars.

Granola

Granola's reputation as a health food is a stretch.

In fact, it’s a straight-up marketing lie.

Many granolas at your local supermarket are made using butter, vegetable oil, and white sugar. It’s a bunch of processed crap with refined ingredients.

Just a half-cup of Kellogg's Special K Touch of Honey Granola packs 9 grams of sugar from four different sources, including white sugar, honey, corn syrup, and molasses.

You may consume far more calories than expected, depending on the brand you buy.

Most granola brands have over 400 calories per cup before adding milk, so choose low-sugar granola with wholesome ingredients.

It’s no wonder so many people on a diet claim not to lose weight even though they’re eating “healthy options” like granola. 

Take note of the sarcastic quotation marks. It’s not that healthy.

Flavored Oatmeal

What do you think of when you read the word “Oatmeal”?

If you’re like most of America, it’s probably a heart-healthy breakfast.

Regular oatmeal has benefits, but that’s not what people buy. Oh no, no, no.

They buy the flavored Quaker Oats crap. It’s basically a warm bowl of sugar. Sure, instant oats may have the same health benefits as regular oatmeal, but can we really say that when additives and sugar are intentionally added?

Just one packet of Quaker Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal has 12 grams of sugar, making it a poor choice for anyone trying to stick to a healthy diet.

And, once again, that’s added sugar.

Also, check the label to see the sodium content. Many of these oatmeals contain more sodium than most people can consume in a sitting, more than 200 milligrams per serving.

And let’s not forget a favorite play of big food corporations: artificial coloring.

You’ll find that in abundance in flavored oatmeal. More crap added to a “healthy” food option.

Low-Fat Salad Dressings

Low-fat foods were once thought to be weight loss-friendly when, in fact, they're often just as bad, if not worse, than their full-fat counterparts.

Low-fat salad dressings often make up for their lack of satisfying fat by adding sugar, high fructose corn syrup, salt, and scary additives and preservatives to the recipe instead.

You know the ingredients I’m talking about—the scientific words so long that you can’t even pronounce them. Yeah, those.

For instance, a two-tablespoon serving of Ken's Fat-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette has a shocking 14 grams of sugar—5 grams more than you'd get in a fun-sized Snickers bar!

You’re better off having full-fat.

Cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil is heart-healthy, loaded with omega 3s, and is anti-inflammatory.

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole wheat bread likely isn't the healthy food you were hoping for.

Many loaves are packed with high fructose corn syrup and molasses, especially those marketed as "honey whole wheat."

Also, whole wheat breads nowadays have an endless list of other chemicals, preservatives, and Frankenstein ingredients needed to keep the loaves fresh after being shipped nationwide.

Bread should consist of five ingredients:

-Water
-Yeast
-Flour
-A little salt
-A little sugar

That’s it!

Why do they throw vegetable oils, grain vinegar, calcium propionate, and monoglycerides in there? It’s not needed. It’s crap.

Cut the crap and choose sprouted bread such as Ezekiel to ensure you get added nutrients without added sugar.

The BMM Takeaway

It’s important to remember that not all food companies are “bad.”

I don’t think they’re malicious. They’re just doing what we all do: growing their businesses, increasing profits, and making money.

However, it’s also important to remember that profits are their focus—not your health. That’s your job. And those employees of those food corporations aren’t hired for your health but for the health of the company they’re employed by.

So, what do we do now that we know this information?

My advice is to implement two actions forever:

-Track your food/calories.
-Read all labels when possible.

You must educate yourself on everything you put in your mouth.

Your health is your responsibility.

If you are unaware of the ingredients in a particular food item, you must look them up and educate yourself.

Proactively grow your awareness of what’s in your food because that’s going into your body. And, of course, you are what you eat.