Despite your best efforts, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy diet. Not only are many of the most tempting foods highly processed and terrible for your body, but there are many foods out there that may seem healthy, when in reality they could lead to serious health issues. It’s important to be a conscious consumer and stay aware of the foods that could have you fooled with “healthy” marketing and “better-for-you” reputations—which is why we’re here to help with some expert advice.
To shed some light on a few unexpected grocery items that may actually be bad for your heart and your waistline, we spoke to registered dietitian Jesse Feder. He told us that coconut oil, yogurt, and sugary granola are all products you should think twice about before adding to your cart. Learn more about the risks of each below.
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil may seem like a healthy alternative to inflammatory vegetable oils that experts often warn against. However, Feder warns that this oil is "very high in both saturated fats and calories," making it a poor choice for anyone looking to boost their heart health.
"The high amount of saturated fats can increase your LDL or bad cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart related issues," he warns. "Additionally, the high amount of calories in coconut oil can lead to unwanted weight gain over time." Yikes! You're better off sticking to olive oil, which is packed with benefits.
2. Flavored Yogurt
Yogurt is commonly dubbed as a healthy food—and for good reason! The right kind can do wonders for your body. However, it's crucial to stay away from sugary, flavored varieties if you want to keep your heart healthy and your waistline slim.
"A lot of the full fat, sweetened yogurts on the shelves have hidden sugars and can be quite high in calories and fat," Feder says. "These yogurts are the ones to watch out for as they can lead to unwanted weight gain and increases in LDL or bad cholesterol levels as well as blood sugar levels. Over time this can lead to chronic diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system."
Instead, choose plain Greek yogurt, which is incredible for your gut (and the rest of your body).
3. Sugary granola
Nuts and oats are both packed with health benefits, which is why granola may seem like the perfect healthy snack or yogurt ingredients. Unfortunately, though, the truth is that most varieties of granola are loaded with sugar (which we all know can lead to a range of consequences) and other harmful additives.
"A lot of brands add in oils, sugars, and other unhealthy ingredients that most people are unaware of," Feder warns. "The high amount of calories and sugar can lead to unwanted weight gain and chronic disease. The high fat content can also cause unhealthy increases in our cholesterol levels which can lead to heart issues." Say it ain't so!
Consider whipping up some homemade granola so that you can be in complete control of the ingredients and limit the amount of sugar you're consuming. It may take some extra time, but it will be worth it!
READ MORE: 3 Things To Stop Doing Because They Could Lead To Heart Disease
