10 Common American Foods That Are Wrecking Our Health

You already know certain foods aren’t doing your health any favors, but somehow they’re still hanging around in your kitchen. These aren’t the sneaky "health" options fooling anyone—just the usual suspects that have stuck around out of habit. Maybe you've convinced yourself they’re not that bad, but the reality is they’re quietly doing more harm than you might realize. It's time to give these repeat offenders the boot and here's why.

Platter of fast foods.Photo byPhoto credit: Shutterstock.

Processed Meats

Consuming processed meats such as sausages, hot dogs, and bacon is linked to significant health risks due to high levels of sodium and preservatives like nitrates. All of these substances have been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and various cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.

Sugary Drinks

Regular intake of sugary drinks, including sodas, energy drinks, and sweetened teas, can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and severe dental decay. These beverages are high in calories and sugar but low in nutritional value, which promotes excessive weight gain and insulin resistance.

Trans Fats

Often found in fried foods, baked goods, and processed snack foods, trans fats are notorious for their ability to alter blood lipid profiles. They increase LDL (bad) cholesterol while decreasing HDL (good) cholesterol, significantly raising the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Bologna sandwich on white bread with chips.Photo byPhoto credit: Depositphotos.

White Bread and Pastas

Foods made from refined grains, such as white bread and pasta, lack nutritional fibers and cause quick spikes in blood sugar levels. This can lead to energy crashes, weight gain, and over time, contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and heart disease by stressing the body’s insulin response. Choosing their whole grain counterparts is an easy switch.

High-Mercury Fish

Fish species like king mackerel, swordfish, and tilefish contain high levels of mercury, a neurotoxin which can damage the nervous system, particularly in developing fetuses and young children. Regular consumption can lead to mercury poisoning, which impairs cognitive and motor function.

Artificial Sweeteners

Used as a sugar substitute in many diet and zero-calorie foods, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin may negatively impact gut health, potentially lead to glucose intolerance, and are linked to long-term weight gain and increased appetite. Just because it's calorie free doesn't mean it's not impacting your health.

Ultra-Processed Foods

These include packaged snacks, frozen meals, and fast foods which are high in additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. Foods like these can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome due to excessive calories, poor quality fats, and high salt content.

Deep fried fish sticks.Photo byPhoto credit: Depositphotos.

Deep-Fried Foods

Regular consumption of deep-fried foods like French fries and fried chicken can lead to weight gain, poor heart health, and diabetes. These foods are often cooked in unhealthy oils that are high in trans fats and acrylamide, a potential carcinogen that forms during high-temperature cooking.

Artificial Colorings

Found in many candies, beverages, and processed foods, artificial colorings have been linked to behavioral issues in children and may have carcinogenic properties. Concerns over certain dyes have led to bans and regulations in multiple countries except the US.

Diet Sodas

Despite being calorie-free, diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which have been linked to potential health risks including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.