FTC Disclosure: Delicious Obsessions may receive comissions from purchases made through links in this article. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Read our full terms and conditions here.

Great post from Dr. Mercola today. The only thing missing from this list that I would add is soy products in general. In my opinion, soy deserves a spot all its own on this list. Soy has long been touted as a “health food”, thanks to clever marketing campaigns and much misinformation spread through the media and medical system. If you still think soy is a health food, I encourage you to read my two part series on the dangers of soy:
- The Dangers of Soy: The Unhealthy Health Food, Part 1
- The Dangers of Soy: The Unhealthy Health Food, Part 2
You can read more of my nutrition and health and wellness articles here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Unhealthiest of “Health Foods”
By Dr. Mercola
If you grew up believing the best way to start your day was a bowl of cereal, a piece of whole wheat toast smeared with margarine, and a glass of orange juice, you’re in good company.
If your health is ailing and you’re reading this, chances are your lack of progress isn’t due to apathy or poor willpower but instead, confusion over which foods are good for you and which are not.
Many foods considered “health foods” are doing exactly the opposite of what is claimed, thanks to massively successful corporate advertising campaigns. There are solid scientific reasons why America’s waistline has continued to expand.
In an article by certified personal trainer and health enthusiast Kris Gunnars, 11 so-called health foods are discussed,1 and unlike most mainstream nutrition articles, I agree with all of them.
If you are stumped about why you aren’t making progress toward your health or fitness goals, you might just be a victim of your “health food.” It would help to take a look at those popular foods, starting with one of the most beloved beverages among children and adults alike: fruit juices.
Fruit Juices
In spite of beliefs to the contrary, there are several problems with fruit juice that make it a FAR cry from “health food.” Consider orange juice, for example—particularly nearly all commercially prepared OJ.
Most all commercially prepared orange juices are actually highly processed into a liquid that bears little nutritional resemblance to fresh orange juice, as Alissa Hamilton, author of the book Squeezed: What You Don’t Know About Orange Juice, explains in the interview below.
First of all, it is pasteurized which decimates its vitality. Then the juice is kept in giant tanks to ensure a year-round supply. In order to preserve it, all of the oxygen is removed, and therefore all of the natural compounds that give oranges their flavor are destroyed.
Some companies add artificial flavor packs, which are essentially chemical perfumes. A common one is ethyl butyrate. If the “Best Before” date is 60 days or more, you know you have a heavily processed juice. Fruit drinks are even worse, consisting mostly of high fructose corn syrup in a mélange of artificial ingredients. Many commercial orange juices are also contaminated with mold from damaged fruit.
Additionally, fruit juice is far worse than the whole fruit, especially if it is not freshly juiced and is stored in containers, as the methanol in the juice will dissociate from the pectin and actually increase your risk of M.S.
But even fresh, pure orange juice—even freshly squeezed—is very high in sugar that is separated from its beneficial fiber and therefore detrimental to your health. One eight-ounce glass contains about 8 teaspoons of sugar, compared to 10 teaspoons in a can of soda.
Habitually downing this much sugar can increase your risk for gout, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease and a number of other serious health problems. And many commercial juices have been found to contain unacceptably high levels or arsenic.
Consuming the whole fruit causes less of a problem as the sugar is modulated by the fiber and antioxidants in the fruit, so you’re better off eating fruit whole, but in moderation. If you want juice, making your own vegetable juice at home is an excellent option.
Whole Wheat and Other Grains
Contrary to what you’ve been hearing for years about the nutritional value of whole grains, there’s a sizeable body of scientific evidence that they frequently do more harm to your body than good. Grains contain anti-nutrients and lectins that can damage your gut. And it’s the fibrous portion of the grain—the bran—that actually contains most of the anti-nutrients. These components can cause inflammation,intestinal permeability and “leaky gut.”
Wheat and other glutinous grains are the worst of the bunch. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) has been found to be inflammatory, immunotoxic, cardiotoxic, and neurotoxic, and can pass through your blood-brain barrier and interfere with neurotransmitter function.
Gluten intolerance may be at the root of many chronic diseases, including many neurological and psychiatric conditions such as depression, ADD/ADHD, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Many people have gluten intolerance but are unaware of it, which makes it even more insidious. It’s important to realize that ALL types of grain contribute to insulin and leptin resistance, which are the primary underlying causes for most, if not all, chronic diseases—from diabetes to cancer.
Don’t be lured into believing that all products boasting the label “gluten free” or “low-carb” are good for you. Many of these items contain other grains that are highly processed, which make them no more nutritious than the average bag of chips as they will increase your insulin and leptin resistance. And many contain sophisticated combinations of ingredients specifically engineered to induce cravings.
Agave Syrup and Nectar
Agave still lines nutrition store shelves, as if you should be pouring it over everything. Most agave nectar or syrup is nothing more than a laboratory-generated super-condensed fructose syrup, devoid of virtually all nutrient value. Agave syrup is mostly fructose and is so highly processed and refined that it bears NO resemblance to the plant for which it’s named. Depending on how it’s processed, it may contain anywhere from 55 to 90 percent fructose. High fructose corn syrup is also about 55 percent fructose, so even in the best case, agave syrup offers no advantage.
The evidence is overwhelming that, when consumed in large quantities, fructose is the most damaging sugar you can eat. Fructose drives up uric acid, which is a direct pathway toward hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes, kidney and liver disease. Better sweetener options are stevia (an herb), and raw organic honey, in small amounts. Honey is also a concentrated form of sugar, but at least it can offer some health benefits, provided it’s high quality.
Sports Drinks and Energy Bars
For most average exercisers and athletes, sports drinks are not only a waste of your money but can actually make your health worse. Most sports drinks are loaded with things you DON’T want, like high fructose corn syrup, sodium, and artificial colors and flavors. Less than one percent of those who use sports drinks actually benefit from them.
Sports drinks are up to 30 times more erosive to your teeth than water. And brushing your teeth won’t help because the citric acid in the sports drink will soften your tooth enamel so much it could be damaged simply by brushing. A far better alternative iscoconut water, sporting a long list of beneficial nutritional compounds including natural electrolytes, enzymes, trace elements, amino acids, and antioxidants.
Coconut water also has anti-inflammatory and blood pressure-lowering properties, making it the perfect “sports drink.” But even coconut water is loaded with sugar and ideally should be limited to when you need to replace minerals and fluid, like after a sauna or long duration cardio. Energy bars are no better than sports drinks—essentially just overpriced junk food. Most commercialenergy bars are comprised of cheap soy protein, high fructose corn syrup, synthetic vitamins, and waste products from industrial food production.
Vegetable Oils and Fake Butter
Americans’ massive over consumption of vegetable oils is largely due to the demonization of saturated fats that’s been going on for decades. As the push to avoid animal fats rages on, people are consuming unhealthy quantities of highly refined vegetable oils—corn, soy, canola, and safflower oil. Unfortunately, all of these are highly processed and have virtually no nutritional value. And they have turned the average American’s omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratios upside down, which is a major driver of chronic inflammation.
Soybean oil is one of the worst vegetable oils, and processed foods are positively loaded with it. Whether partially hydrogenated, organic, or made from newer soybean varieties modified in such a way as to not require hydrogenation, soybean oil can cause dysfunction and chaos in your body at a cellular level. More than 90 percent of the soybeans grown in the US are genetically engineered, and as a result contaminated with dangerous levels of the herbicide glyphosate, which compounds their toxicity.
Margarine is basically a heart attack in a tub, loaded with trans fats (from hydrogenation, the process of turning liquid vegetable oils into a solid). Trans fats contribute to heart disease, cancer, bone problems, hormone imbalance and infertility, as well as low birth weight, growth problems and learning disabilities in children. Butter, on the other hand, is the real health food—it’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, CLA (if the cows are limited to eating grass and not grains), and many other nutrients your body needs.
Low-Fat and Fat-Free Foods
The low-fat craze has been one of the most damaging dietary fads in history, leaving many tens of millions with chronic illness in its wake. The idea that all fat (especially animal-derived fat) is bad for you is nothing more than a mistaken interpretation of science—one that has become “stuck” in Western culture. Of course, you want to avoid the previously touted “healthy” vegetable oils as not only are they highly processed but they have far too much omega-6 fats.
A healthier fat alternative that is not promoted by the media or most nutritionists, are saturated fats from animals and vegetables. They provide a source of a number of important health benefits. In fact, your body cannot function without saturated fats! They are needed for the proper function of your cell membranes, immune system, heart, brain and other organs. In fact, a recent “landmark” study provides compelling evidence that the type of fat you consume, not the amount, is what imparts the cardiovascular benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
When fats are removed from foods, it leaves them tasteless and unappealing. So manufacturers load them up with sugar and sodium and chemicals, in massive quantities. So stick with unaltered whole foods, including full-fat unpasteurized dairy. They’re much better for you—and they taste much better too!
Breakfast Cereals
Breakfast cereals are a favorite way to start the day for many, but they are rife with toxic ingredients and misleading advertising. Of course, the first problem is that they are grain-based, which I’ve already covered. But even many of the so-called “natural” varieties are contaminated with toxic pesticides, carcinogenic fumigants and solvents, and genetically modified ingredients. The only label that can give you any peace of mind is the “USDA Certified 100% Organic” label.
In 2011, independent testing by the Cornucopia Institute had shown that several breakfast cereals marketed as “natural”—even some that claim to avoid genetically engineered ingredients contain high levels of genetically engineered ingredients. Typical American breakfast staples, such as cereal, muffins, and the like, are popular because of wildly successful corporate PR. You might even consider skipping breakfast altogether.
But wait—isn’t that the most important meal of your day? Compelling new research indicates differently. Skipping breakfast may reduce your hunger, stimulate your metabolism, level out your blood sugar, and stabilize your insulin levels throughout the day. Properly done intermittent fasting will actually help eliminate most food cravings and help you achieve your ideal body weight.
Choose Real Food Instead!
When considering food—regardless of whether it’s organic, local, from a supermarket or from a farmer’s market, make sure you keep the following criteria in mind. Most often, the best place to find high-quality foods is from a sustainable agricultural group in your area. If you’re unsure of what foods you should be eating and in what proportions, or you just need some help getting started, please refer to my free nutrition plan. Make sure that your food is:
- Grown/raised without pesticides and chemical fertilizers (organic foods fit this description, but so do some non-organic foods)
- Is fresh (if you have to choose between wilted organic produce or fresh conventional produce, the latter may still be the better option as freshness is important for optimal nutrient content)
- Not genetically engineered
- Not grown/raised in a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO)
- Contains no added growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
- Grown/raised with the laws of nature in mind (meaning animals are fed their native diets, not a mix of grains and animal byproducts, and have free access to the outdoors)
- Contains no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or artificial anything
- Grown/raised sustainably (using minimal amounts of water, protecting the soil from burnout, and turning animal wastes into natural fertilizers instead of environmental pollutants)
- Sugar: The Secret Killer, Part 1 – Addiction
- Sugar: The Secret Killer, Part 2 – Disease
- Sugar: The Secret Killer, Part 3 – Recovery
- Butter IS Better: The Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Butter
- The Saturated Fat Myth: Eat More Butter (and Coconut Oil)!
For tons of real food recipes, check out my full library! Hundreds of recipes that are easy and delicious!
Delicious Obsessions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Read our full terms and conditions here.

Read your article on unhealthy health foods. Great work.
Thanks Lee! I’m glad it was helpful! Cheers!
You forgot food dyes… I avoid all food dyes.. They are neurotoxins…
YES! I totally agree, Heather! 🙂
You’re right, but it doesn’t really apply too this article because food dye was never considered a “health food”.
So what can we eat then?
What about dairy? Some food experts are not recommending consumption of dairy.
Kiki – There are TONS of things to eat! This list only talks about 7 foods. Eat real food as close to the way nature made it as possible. Grass-fed and pastured meats, healthy fats, lots of veggies, and some fruit and starches if you can tolerate them. Dairy is OK for those who can tolerate it. Raw dairy is always preferable. I have hundreds of recipes on my site, which will show you there is A LOT to eat even if you stop eating these 7 foods: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/recipes/
How exactly is food that is grown sustainably healthier for me?
Hi Daniel – The main reason is because sustainable agricultural practices do not use GMO seeds, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. That alone makes your food healthier. In addition, sustainable operations are very focused on creating healthy, nutrient-rich soils for their crops to grow in, which in turn increases the nutrients in our food. Hope that helps!
Hi Jessica.
My question is this:
Many of these articles discuss margarine and why its bad for you, specifically trans-fats and lack of Omega-3, and say that butter is better.
However, when I check at the grocery store, almost none of the margarine’s use hydrogenated oil anymore (I could only find one, compared to at least a dozen that used non-hydrogenated oil), and as such they contains no trans-fats. Many of them also contained Omega-3’s.
When I compare these to the butter I find in the grocery store, almost all the butter’s contains a small amount of trans-fat (.2g) and none of them contains Omega-3’s.
With this in mind, shouldn’t we be comparing non-hydrogenated margarine’s to butter? And does the introduction of Omega-3’s to margarine impact the overall debate?
Hi Darryl – Even if they are not using hydrogenated oils, they are still using vegetable oils like canola, soybean, corn, etc. All of those are going to be GMO. Vegetable oils are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are also referred to as Omega 6’s. Too much Omega 6 leads to inflammation in the body. Most people get enough Omega 6 in their normal diet without adding any vegetable oils. The increased use of vegetable oils is the primary reason we are facing epidemic proportions of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc. In addition, polyunsaturated fats go rancid very easily and are not stable at high temperatures, despite what we have been told.
We should ALWAYS approach food with one idea: eat REAL FOOD in the most natural forms possible. Margarine is far from being a natural, real food.
Here are a few articles that may be of additional help:
https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2014/06/saturated-fat-phobia-lacks-scientific-basis/
https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/03/butter-is-better-the-health-benefits-of-grass-fed-butter/
https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/04/the-saturated-fat-myth-eat-more-butter-and-coconut-oil/
http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/the-deadly-consequences-of-replacing-saturated-fats-with-polyunsaturated-fats-in-the-american-diet/
http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/big-pharma-study-usda-dietary-guidelines-on-fats-are-wrong/
Cheers! 🙂
So we shouldn’t eat grains altogether? Grains and breads are a staple of many diets and I thought that something like oatmeal would be good for you. Is this not true?
Olivia – It depends on the person. Many alternative practitioners are recommending grain-free diets. The primary reason being that grains are very hard to digest, even when properly prepared, and most people suffer from some sort of gut issues, be it minute or severe. Also, grains tend to lead to weight gain and as a nation, we are obese. Cutting out grains is one of the easiest ways to lose weight. It all comes down to each individual person, but grains are not the health food that we have been taught. Cheers!
Is frozen consentrated OJ as bad as the bottled “fresh” stuff?
Hi D – I honestly think it’s a bit worse. I avoid fruit juices in general, unless I make my own. Cheers!
Hi, baby cereal is usually recommended as a baby’s first food, would this still be ok or what would you recommend as an alternative? Thanks
Hi Tracy – I would discuss this with your pediatrician, though I personally am not a fan of feeding babies processed and refined cereals (among other things. There are plenty of things they can eat like avocados, eggs, etc. My friend Renee has a ton of great info on feeding babies on her site here: http://www.raisinggenerationnourished.com/feeding-babies/. Hope that helps!
Hi there, just stumbled upon your site, it’s a real eye-opener! My daughter is lactose intolerant & the doctor recommended soya milk which she’s been consuming for the past 4yrs. Given your views in this, what’s a healthy tasty alternative for her please?
Kind regards
Emma x
Hi Emma – I am very anti-soy, so switching her milk would be a great place to start! There are many different non-dairy milks on the market: rice, coconut, almond, flax, hazelnut, etc. Your regular grocery store should carry at least a few and your health food store would carry much more. Or, you can make your own at home. I personally prefer coconut milk and it’s SUPER easy to make. Here’s my tutorial: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/05/how-to-make-your-own-coconut-milk. I’ve got more non-dairy milk tutorials coming soon! If you do purchase from the store, just make sure you read the ingredients. Sometimes even the “healthy” milks put unhealthy ingredients in them like extra sugar, carrageenan, preservatives, etc. Hope that helps! 🙂
Or stop eating like its the end of the world.
Found this story very interesting, as I currently fast for my prayer life. I’m a type 2 diabetic . I have switched to being vegetarian to lose weight and improve life. After reading your article I am going to incorporate some grass fed meat & eggs in my diet for protein that I miss eating now. I’m going to try incorporating your fasting schedule into my current routine. Any suggestion?
Hi Joseph – I think adding in some of those foods would be a great idea! High-quality proteins and fats help keep the blood sugar levels stable in the body, as well as help keep energy stable. Regarding fasting for those with diabetes, I don’t have any articles on it, but Dr. Mercola has done A LOT of research on intermittent fasting for health (including those with blood sugar issues). You may want to start here: http://diabetes.mercola.com. Best of luck on your journey! 🙂
‘Contrary to what you’ve been hearing for years about the nutritional value of whole grains, there’s a sizeable body of scientific evidence that they frequently do more harm to your body than good.’
Why do horses like oats then? Whole-grain oats?
Hi QQ – This article is referring to HUMANS specifically, not other animals. Grains have been consumed by humans for thousands of years, BUT there has been so much hybridization and tampering with our grains that they are not the same grains they were. Today’s grains cause much more digestive distress and food allergies than any other time in history. That is why so many nutritional experts are recommending eliminating them from the human diet.
Dropping grains from my diet gave a big boost to my energy level.Mung beans is a store house of easily digested protein. Great option for vegetarians. No healthier fats than coconut oil & ghee(clarified butter).
Awesome Deb! Thanks for stopping by and sharing! 🙂
As a diabetic I found much of your information very helpful. I have wheat bread daily, two eggs, piece of ham every morning. Chicken and vegetables most dinners.concerned about wheat bread consumption.
Hi Bruce! Glad the info was helpful! 🙂