What Is the Worst Junk Food You Can Buy in America?

adminMarch 15, 2024

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Products that contain added sugar include an overwhelming amount of calories and very little proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Consuming many of these foods can contribute to becoming overweight and obese, increasing the risk of developing conditions affiliated with obesity such as heart disease and diabetes.

can of coke

“Sugar is the new tobacco,” says Professor Simon Capewell of clinical epidemiology at the University of Liverpool. “Everywhere, sugary drinks and junk foods are now pressed on unsuspecting parents and children by a cynical industry focused on profit, not health.” (1)

With these sugar-filled products on the shelves of groceries and convenience stores, obesity is becoming an epidemic. It’s easy to see how the unhealthy ice creams, pastries, chocolates, and soft drinks are contributing to this growing problem.

However, even when we try to avoid toxic products like Coca-Cola, sugar finds its way into our diets with unsuspecting foods. Here are ten sugary surprises that may have found a place in your home.

Ten ‘Health Foods’ With More Sugar than Coke

The smallest can of Coca-Cola (7.5 ounces), as shown below, has 25 grams of sugar. That is an exorbitant amount for a serving that is less than a cup measurement. (2)

It is undeniably harmful, but let’s compared it to ‘healthier’ varieties.

1. Vitamin water: 32 grams of sugar per bottle.

This should not be a surprise. Afterall, Vitaminwater is produced by Coca-Cola manufacturers! (3) Instead: If you like some flavor in your water, try alternating lemon, lime, and cucumber slices for a refreshing and exotic taste. Sample other fruits like strawberries, pineapple, mint leaves, or citrus to suit your palate. You will be hydrated and pumped with the benefits of real fruit instead of unnatural flavors and excess processed sugar. For an extra kick, add the fruit and spices to sparkling mineral water for a ‘cocktail’ that beats the processed sugar drinks.

2. Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereal (8 oz.) with 1/2 Cup of 2% Reduced Fat Milk: 25 grams of sugar.

This is a typical breakfast to grab before work or school, and yet the sugar content is the same as a can of Coke! (4) Instead: Search for low sugar content cereals that are whole grain or gluten-free, like Barbara’s Original Puffins or Natures Path Q’ia Superfood Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal, Original Flavor. There is so much variety out there, remember to check ingredient and sugar content as you sample different brands. Also, try using dairy-free milk with low sugar content to complete a truly healthy breakfast, like almond or coconut milk, depending on your preference. For tomorrow’s breakfast, the best option is to make your own cereal with this swaps.

3. StonyField Smooth & Creamy Fat-Free French Vanilla (6 oz): 25 grams of sugar

One container of this yogurt has the same sugar amount as our can of coke but with less food matter. This is shocking to those who thought this brand was healthy due to claims of USDA organic, pasture raised cattle, non-GMO, and being gluten-free. (5) This just shows you can’t trust the label; you have to read the facts too! Instead: Switch to Wallaby Organic Greek Plain Low-Fat Yogurt that has only 4 grams of sugar or Maple Hill Creamery Greek Yogurt that uses 100% grass-fed cattle. When you sample other brands, be aware that ‘fat-free’ can have an increased sugar content to make up for the flavor. Go for the most natural option available for you. Optimally, try the dairy-free version made with coconut milk.

4. Orange Juice (8 0z.): 26 grams

Fruit juices are not healthy, despite the fact it has the word ‘fruit’ in it. The juicing process extracts the natural sugar from the beneficial nutrition and puts it in a bottle for people to drink by the cupful. (6)Instead: If you drank Tropicana orange juice to reap for the vitamins, simply eat an orange! Or add orange wedges to a glass of water. If you don’t want to part ways with juice, invest in a juicer to create your own delicious and healthy concoctions! Click here for juicing recipes.

5. Quaker Granola (8 oz.): 26 grams of sugar.

This is such a betrayal. Granola is a go-to health food with its source of fiber and nutrients. What went wrong? The sugar content. (7) Instead: If you love that crunch in your yogurt, add some superfood alternatives, like coconut chips, nuts, fresh berries, pomegranate seeds, cacao nibs, seeds like chia, hemp, pumpkin and sunflower. You may be wondering why dried fruit like raisins and cranberries are not included on this list. Find out why with the next sugar-packed food.

6. Ocean Spray Original Dried Cranberries (1/4 cup): 29 grams of sugar

This is a fact: Dried fruit is not as healthy as the fresh alternatives because of the high sugar content. Many companies add processed sugar to sweeten their products. (8) Instead: Fresh fruit is the healthiest variety, but there are also ways to make your own dried fruit, without the extra sugar. Here is an easy way to do it, and you don’t need a dehydrator or even an oven!

7. Sunrise Growers Pure Fruit Smoothie: Strawberry Banana Splash (approx. 4 oz.): 28 grams of sugar.

Most commercial smoothies, including the ones in restaurants, chains, and venues, are extremely unhealthy. Let’s say you order a blueberry smoothie. The base of the drink could be sugar-laden juice or milk filled with antibiotics and hormones. The main ingredient may not be fresh or frozen fruits as you expect, but rather, blueberry sherbet, pudding mix, or blue syrup. Even real fruit is used, the concoction is laden with sugar or whip cream. (9) Instead: It always more beneficial for your smoothies to be homemade. Use almond or coconut milk for the base or filtered water for the base, then add the fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, spices like cinnamon, ginger, mint, and other nutritious ingredients you enjoy. If you like extra sweetness, blend a bit of raw honey or organic maple syrup. Once you begin sampling different variations of homemade smoothies, your blender will become your best friend! Here are 30 recipes to start.

8. Simply Trail Mix (3/4 cup): 39 grams of sugar

The snack of all snacks is found guilty of contributing to the obesity epidemic with his high sugar levels. The scary part of munching from a big open bag is that we are don’t realize how much we are actually eating. With a sugar count as high as this, maybe the can of coke would be a ‘healthier’ route. (10) Instead: Mix and match different foods to make your own. Nothing can be easier than tossing favorite ingredients into a large container and stirring it up! Try an assortment of nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, your homemade dried fruit from the previous recipes, berries, coconut flakes, with spices like ginger and cayenne for an extra kick.

9. Campbell’s Brown Sugar and Bacon Flavored Baked Beans (1 cup): 26 grams of sugar.

One would assume beans are healthy since they are a staple in a vegan diet, plus grain-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. Unfortunately, most canned version are not sugar-free. The company may as have well tossed the beans with Coca-Cola. (11) Instead: The good news is there are many brands that offer sugar-free baked beans. To ensure they don’t fill in any other type of junk into the can, plain beans with no sauce is the best option.

10. Zone Perfect Classic Crunch Bar: 27 grams of sugar.

Many energy bars are candy bars with a healthy-sounding label. Therefore, when you are passing by the chocolates and sodas in the convenience store to grab a power bar, read the sugar content. The coke may do less damage to your blood sugar levels. (12) Instead: Make your own to eat so you won’t feel tempted by those deceiving sugar bombs. Here’s a great recipe for protein post-workout bars. Here are two more simple energy bars with cashews, cherries quinoa, and seeds!

Sources:

(1) NHS Choices. Is sugar causing the obesity ‘epidemic’?http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/01January/Pages/sugar-obesity-qa.aspx Published: January 15, 2014. Accessed: October 9, 2016

(2) Coca-Cola Products Facts. http://www.coca-colaproductfacts.com/en/coca-cola-products/coca-cola/ Accessed: October 7, 2016.

(3) Coca-Cola Products Facts. http://www.coca-colaproductfacts.com/en/coca-cola-products/vitaminwater-xxx/ Accessed: October 7, 2016.

(4) My Fitness Pal.http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/post-raisin-bran-raisin-bran-cereal-with-2-reduced-fat-milk-296335946?v2=false Accessed: October 7, 2016.

(5) Stonyfield http://www.stonyfield.com/products/yogurt/smooth-creamy/fat-free-french-vanilla Accessed: October 7, 2016.

(6) Self Nutrition Data. Orange Juice, raw Nutrition Facts and Calories. http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1971/2 Accessed: October 7, 2016.

(7) Quaker https://www.quakeroats.com/products/cold-cereals/granola/oats-and-honey-and-raisins.aspx Accessed: October 7, 2016

(8) USDA. OCEAN SPRAY, CRAISINS, ORIGINAL DRIED CRANBERRIES https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/36549?man=&lfacet=&count=&max=&qlookup=&offset=&sort=&format=Abridged&reportfmt=other&rptfrm=&ndbno=&nutrient1=&nutrient2=&nutrient3=&subset=&totCount=&measureby=&Q43243=0.25&Qv=1&Q43243=0.5&Qv=1 Accessed: October 7, 2016

(9) USDA. SUNRISE GROWERS, PURE FRUIT SMOOTHIES, STRAWBERRY BANANA SPLASH https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/11886?manu=&fgcd=&ds= Accessed: October 7, 2016

(10) USDA. SIMPLY TRAIL MIX. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/76872?man=&lfacet=&count=&max=&qlookup=&offset=&sort=&format=Abridged&reportfmt=other&rptfrm=&ndbno=&nutrient1=&nutrient2=&nutrient3=&subset=&totCount=&measureby=&Q100205=.75&Qv=1&Q100205=1&Qv=1 Accessed: October 9, 2016.

(11) USDA. Campbell’s Brown Sugar And Bacon Flavored Baked Beans https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/4900?manu=&fgcd=&ds= Accessed: October 9, 2016.

(12) USDA. SIMPLY TRAIL MIX. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/76872?man=&lfacet=&count=&max=&qlookup=&offset=&sort=&format=Abridged&reportfmt=other&rptfrm=&ndbno=&nutrient1=&nutrient2=&nutrient3=&subset=&totCount=&measureby=&Q100205=.75&Qv=1&Q100205=1&Qv=1 Accessed: October 9, 2016.