When we think of junk food, we imagine fast food chains serving cheeseburgers and fries, or grocery shelves lined with bags of potato chips. However, there are also many “healthy foods” that are simply junk food in disguise. 

Consider reducing your intake of these common ultra-processed foods that seem healthy, but are actually junk foods.

7 “Health” Foods That Are Not Healthy

1. Protein Bars

Protein bars are touted as alternatives to candy bars, and are believed to be a healthy snack packed with oats, nuts, and dried fruits. 

Protein bars can also be a source of the pesticide glyphosate. Non-organic protein bars made with oats, corn, wheat, or nuts likely have residues of glyphosate since these crops are sprayed with the chemical.

2. Plant-Based Burgers

Lots of people believe products are healthy when they’re made from plants. While that’s generally true, there’s an exception to that rule. New plant-based burgers promise the taste and texture of meat, but they are actually highly-processed, genetically-modified foods. These burgers can be filled with additives, preservatives, and flavorings.

Research shows there are no real health benefits from eating plant-based if the food is ultra-processed. In one large scale study, participants that ate more plant-based UPFs, including meat alternatives, had a 5% increased risk of cardiovascular disease and the likelihood of dying from disease went up 12% (3).

3. Non-Dairy Milks

Non-dairy milks are another example of where plant-based foods can still fall in the ultra-processed category. 

When it comes to plant-based milks, aim to find an organic alternative. And check the ingredient list to make sure it doesn’t contain carrageenan, hydrogenated oils, or artificial colors.

4. Non-Organic Soy Products

Soy is one of the main GMO crops grown in the US, modified to survive toxic herbicides. These crops are not only genetically engineered, but they are also heavily sprayed with glyphosate. Currently about 94% of the soy grown in the US is genetically modified (5).

If you enjoy tofu, soy milk, or other soy products, make sure you’re buying organic to avoid a residual dose of toxic glyphosate in your food.

5. Packaged Bread

Do you shop in the bread aisle? Most of us do. The healthiest options are breads with high levels of organic grains and seeds. The worst are white breads with bleached flour and countless additives. 

The glycemic index ranks how quickly a food or drink will raise glucose levels in the blood, triggering a blood sugar spike. High glycemic foods like white bread are linked to increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes (6).

6. Flavored Yogurts

Yogurt is a healthy snack or breakfast option, rich in probiotics and calcium. Most of the time. Many commercial yogurt brands are loaded with sugar and other artificial additives.

The high sugar content of yogurt can negate any potential health benefits of the probiotics. High sugar foods can contribute to insulin resistance, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.

7. Vegetable Chips

A common “healthier alternative” to regular potato chips are veggie chips, straws, or puffs. Although vegetable chips are thought to be a guilt-free snack, they are far from being a true health food. 

Vegetable chips are also often made from root vegetables or corn that are typically sprayed with pesticides and herbicides. So, if you are going to treat yourself to a chip snack, it’s preferable to pick organic to avoid these toxins and their health effects (9). 

Look Closely at Labels to Find True Healthy Choices

It can seem overwhelming to shop at the grocery store when seemingly everything on the shelves is contaminated with some kind of toxin. But there are easy steps you can take to ensure you are purchasing the best options for you and your family.

1. Check ingredients. The old adage rings true, “If you can’t read it, don’t eat it!” If there is a long list of chemical-sounding ingredients, it’s most likely an ultra-processed food, even if the packaging suggests otherwise.
2. Buy organic when you can. The USDA organic logo tells you that the product has gone through a rigorous process to prove it is not GMO and does not contain artificial ingredients, pesticides, or herbicides.
3. Does it look like the original food? How many steps do you think the ingredients went through to produce the product (think corn to Dorito)? Each step in the industrial manufacturing process is yet another way that foods are stripped of their original nutrients.

The healthiest way to eat is to enjoy organic whole foods or minimally processed foods. This means fresh or frozen fruits, veggies, meats, seafood, whole grains, and cold-pressed oils. 

Detoxing doesn’t have to be difficult. Natural zeolite binds to toxins in the gut and body, helping to reduce toxins. With a few simple sprays of liquid zeolite Pure Body Extra, you can help detox the body. Natural zeolite is a gentle and effective detox that is safe for the whole family. By detoxing, you can help reduce your exposure to toxins in the food we eat.