50 of the Unhealthiest Foods You Could Ever Buy (courtecy;-reader;s digest) Not everything that comes in a box or bag is bad, but a lot of it is.



Not everything that comes in a box or bag is bad, but a lot of it is. We got nutrition experts to reveal 50 of the unhealthiest supermarket foods you can buy.

SunnyD Tangy Original

Macro orange juice can be used for backgroundBEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE/SHUTTERSTOCK
"The SunnyD label looks more like a complicated science experiment than a beverage," says Lindsey Pine MS, RDN. "This drink has at most 10 percent juice, according to the ingredient list. Not only does it have high fructose corn syrup, but it also has three different sources of artificial sweeteners in addition to artificial colors." The grossest part? There's oil in this juice! Water is obviously the best alternative, but if you need a fruit fix, Pine suggests diluting 100 percent fruit juice with water. On the flip side, here are fruit juices that are healthier than you thought.

Great Value Vegetable Oil

olive oil pouring in bowl on white background MADLEN/SHUTTERSTOCK
You usually get what you pay for, and that's exactly the case with this. "Cheap refined vegetable oils are known for their high amounts of omega-6 fatty acid content, and while we absolutely need omega-6's to survive, our Western diets get way too much of them, possibly leading to systemic inflammation, which can lead to chronic disease," explains Pine. "Further, the majority are made from genetically modified plants." Instead she suggests you opt for Thrive Algae Oil, which is composed of 90 percent monounsaturated fat (omega-9, the heat stable "good" fat), has a neutral taste, is sustainably produced, and doesn't contain any GMOs. Did you know that even "healthy" cooking oils could raise your diabetes risk?

Mission Wraps Garden Spinach Herb

tortillaNATASHA BREEN/SHUTTERSTOCK
"A basic tortilla takes about four ingredients to construct—flour, water, oil, and salt—but Mission uses no fewer than 30 ingredients to construct these wraps, and spinach falls under the "2 percent or less" portion of the ingredients statement," says Janine Whiteson, RD. That's not a joke! Spinach wraps with less than 2 percent spinach... So what is this wrap made of? "A lot of enriched flour and vegetable shortening, neither of which makes for a healthy sandwich. Consuming one serving of these wraps is the caloric equivalent of consuming four Pizza Hut Traditional Buffalo Wings!" Here are much better ways to get spinach into your diet.

Rice-A-Roni Broccoli Au Gratin

Rice puddingINES BEHRENS-KUNKEL/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Neither cheese nor broccoli ranks higher than partially hydrogenated palm oil in Rice-A-Roni's ingredient list," notes Whiteson. "This is a salt mine—by eating one small serving of this, you will have consumed a day's worth of sodium. This product is extremely high in artery-clogging saturated fat! And really…. broccoli? I think there might be broccoli dust somewhere in there—but nowhere near enough to deem this at all healthy." Stay away! Don't miss these other foods that are surprisingly high in sodium.
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Kraft Mac and Cheese Dinner Original

close up of spicy macaroni and cheeseB7/SHUTTERSTOCK
This Kraft household staple is a nutritional disaster. Whiteson points out that one box of Kraft Mac and Cheese Dinner Original has more than two days' worth of trans fats per serving and more than a day's worth of sodium. "It also has virtually no fiber and is made with additives and chemicals that have been banned in countries around the world. While it may be a staple for children, especially in the United States, this dinner option is probably one of the worst supermarket buys with no nutritional value." Try these healthier pantry upgrades instead.

Smartfood Popcorn, White Cheddar

Cheddar cheese pop cornJREIKA/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Smart? Hardly," says Whiteson. "This bag earns a heavy load of fat from oils, cheese, and buttermilk. It's also loaded with salt—a day's worth in just a few servings. What an adulteration to the simple, high-fiber popcorn that can actually be worked into a healthy diet! Not smart at all!" Smartfood Popcorn joins this list of surprisingly unhealthy foods to avoid. If you're having a popcorn craving, check out Bjornqorn instead. It's non-GMO and seasoned with gluten-free, vegan ingredients (no butter or cheese).

Ramen Noodles

Instant noodles, for backgrounds or texturesOLGA POPOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Ramen noodles are among one of the cheapest meal solutions found in the grocery store—which is why they are known as a college student staple. Still, they are one of the worst excuses for a meal in the entire supermarket," says Whiteson. Ramen noodles not only bring zero nutritional value to the table, but also contain a food additive called Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), a preservative that is a petroleum-industry byproduct (yes, it's as gross as it sounds). "They're also incredibly high in sodium, calories, and saturated fat. The containers packaging these noodles aren't helping much either. This little brick that magically melts into ramen is a big artery clogger!"

Duncan Hines Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting

close up of a white whipped or sour cream on white backgroundPICSFIVE/SHUTTERSTOCK
Have you ever looked at frosting nutrition labels? "They look more like a science experiment than a food," says Pine. "They're packed with multiple types of sugar, artificial colors, and ingredients that allow for a very long shelf life. Duncan Hines even uses partially hydrogenated oil, which is code for trans fat, the only type of fat that you want to avoid at all costs. Trans fat increases bad cholesterol, lowers the good kind of cholesterol, and creates bodily inflammation which could lead to heart disease." When you want to treat yourself, the better option, she says, is to make your own buttercream frosting using real ingredients like butter (you know it's bad when the better alternative is butter!). Check out these food trends for some health inspiration.
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Wyler's Instant Bouillon Chicken Flavor Cubes

Broth cubeSAPNOCTE/SHUTTERSTOCK
These ones are sneaky! "Adding bouillon cubes is a great shortcut to enhancing the flavor of homemade soups, but they're nothing more than little cubes of sugar, fat, hydrolyzed soy protein, salt, and often MSG," cautions Pine. "One way to know that you're buying a bouillon or soup base that's a better choice is to look at the ingredient list. The first ingredient should be actual chicken, beef, seafood, or veggies, such as in a brand like Better Than Bouillon. Or, skip the bouillon and use reduced sodium chicken broth, such as Pacific Organic Unsalted Chicken Stock."

Rice a Roni Beef Flavor Rice

Pilaf with pieces of meat, pepper and garlic close-upALONAFOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Boxed rice mixes, including the famous "San Francisco treat," are super tasty because food manufacturers add tons of salt and flavor enhancers like MSG and caramel color," explains Pine. "Some folks with food sensitivities, especially those susceptible to migraines, can react very poorly to MSG. Make your own healthy pilaf with garlic, onion, and rice. Choose brown, red, or black rice to make it a whole-grain dish for added fiber and nutrients."

TYSON, Grilled and Ready Diced Chicken Breasts

Raw chicken fillets close-up / partially out of focus, focus on the center of the image FIXAZH/SHUTTERSTOCK
In short, there's nothing even remotely redeeming here. "Look at the package when making your grocery store decisions," says Whiteson. "This product is loaded with lots of bad stuff to make it have a longer shelf life—all the while reducing your life! It will bloat you for days!" Try any of these nutritionist-approved alternatives instead.

Lunchables

Crackers backgroundVALERY EVLAKHOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
If you're cringing thinking about how many Lunchabes you've eaten in your lifetime, you're not alone! It's disheartening that products marketed at children and busy moms can be so insanely unhealthy. "These processed snack packs are filled with sodium and saturated fat, and provide little to no fiber," says Whiteson. "In fact, many versions of these processed snack products can set you back 600mg of sodium—that's about 30 percent of your recommended daily amount! Your children are probably begging for these snack packs that their friends have at the lunch table. No matter how cheap and convenient they may seem, don't give in. They are not worth it!"

Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing

Close up croutons and cos vegetable on caesar salad dish7TH SON STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Salad dressings, like Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing, can be packed with sodium, sugar, and saturated fat, but the real issue is serving size. "Most dressings use one or two tablespoons, smaller than the usual drizzle, as their serving size," says Whiteson. So when you glop it on, the amounts of those bad ingredients add up big-time. "These dressings can easily add up to an extra 300 calories per day if not more!" she says. Instead, Whiteson recommends topping greens with avocado, poached eggs, or marinated veggies and skipping the dressing altogether. "They'll contribute heart-healthy fats without the additives and bloat-inducing salt," she says.

Del Monte Sliced Peaches in Heavy Syrup

Closeup canned peach halves in syrupFAHRONI/SHUTTERSTOCK
There's no excuse for not eating real fruit—it's as convenient as it gets! "Little containers of peaches or pears are a nice convenience item to pack in a lunch, but not when they're drenched in heavy syrup, which is loaded with added, unnecessary sugar," says Pine. "The 'lite' version still has added sugar, and the 'no sugar added' variety is usually code for added artificial sweeteners. Emerging research is showing that artificial sweeteners may be harmful to the gut microbiome. If plain fresh or frozen fruits aren't an option, be sure to choose canned fruit packed in 100 percent juice," Pine says.

Milk n' Cereal Bars Cinnamon Toast Crunch

texture from nut and dry fruitROMAN PYSHCHYK/SHUTTERSTOCK
"With a whopping 17g of sugar, there isn't anything healthy about this bar, even though the Milk n' Cereal Bars label touts "made with real milk," notes Pine. "As a high-carb snack packed with many sources of simple sugars, including high fructose corn syrup, you'll probably be hungry quickly after eating one. Just because they added these items into the bar doesn't mean they took out the unhealthier stuff!" Try these recipes for homemade energy bars—you can add less sugar and more healthy fats from nuts.

Cool Whip Whipped Topping

creamy yogurtINES BEHRENS-KUNKEL/SHUTTERSTOCK
Sorry, but Cool Whip isn't as harmless as it looks. "Just because something seems to have less fat than the real thing doesn't make it the better choice," says Pine. "Whipped toppings are mixtures of hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors. Just eat real whipped cream to top your treat. Homemade whipped cream is super easy to make and you can control the level of sweetness." Also, check out these healthier swaps for sweet candy.
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Activia Blueberry

blueberry yogurt in a plastic jarKICHIGIN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Don't be fooled by the probiotic branding. "This yogurt has a whopping 19g of sugar per 4.4-ounce container of the blueberry flavor," says Whiteson. "That's as much sugar as a Twinkie, in a smaller-than-average serving size! What really creates a sugar rush is what they're including in commercial yogurts these days. Fruit, especially the syrupy kind mixed into store-bought yogurts, is a common culprit. Candied nuts or sweetened granola toppings quickly bring the yogurt well beyond the sugar content of an entire Twinkie or doughnut." Instead opt for a high protein, high calcium, low sugar, lowfat option like Icelandic Provisions Skyr to keep both muscles and bones healthy and strong.

Glutino Pretzels

Pretzel shaped bread sticks cracker texture pattern. Salted pretzels. Mini pretzel snack texture.NALAPHOTOS/SHUTTERSTOCK

"Glutino Pretzels have 25 percent of a day's worth of sodium in only a small handful of pretzels," says Whiteson. "They contain no fiber—which is a huge issue with gluten-free diets—and plenty of white corn and potato flour and artery-clogging palm oil." She also notes that it's important to watch out for gluten-free products in general as they're often loaded with sugar, salt, and saturated fat to improve flavor. "Choose something with 100 percent whole grain as the first ingredient," unless you can't eat gluten, of course. Here are 19 nutritionist-approved road snacks you can feel good about eating.

Quaker Peaches and Cream Instant Oatmeal

Food theme: fresh whole grain oats background.KISELEV ANDREY VALEREVICH/SHUTTERSTOCK
"It's such a shame that a super healthy and delicious food like oatmeal gets an unhealthy makeover with a deluge of sugary flavors," says Pine. "This Peaches and Cream option from Quakercontains multiple sources of sugar, artificial colors and flavors, and even contains partially hydrogenated oil, which means trans fat." If you want a healthy breakfast or snack on the go that's packed with fiber, instant oatmeal, she says, can be a good choice, but stick with the plain kind and add your own toppings such as fruit, sliced almonds, and a touch of honey. To add bulk and flavor, you can also top it with COYO, an allergy-friendly coconut-based yogurt alternative with no added sugar, fillers, or preservatives. Try these oatmeal toppings for an even healthier breakfast.

Reduced Fat Skippy Peanut Butter

peanut butter background, top viewMARAZE/SHUTTERSTOCK
Don't be fooled into thinking that reduced fat peanut butter is a healthier choice than the regular kind. "Reduced fat peanut buttermay save you a few grams of fat, but the multiple types of added sugar and unnecessary fillers make it a very poor choice," Pine says. "The monounsaturated fat found naturally in peanut butter is actually very good for you, so choose real, natural style peanut butter, such as Laura Scudders, instead of the laboratory concoction." If you're watching your calories, check out PB2Powdered Peanut Butter. It's a great addition to these healthy smoothie recipes!

Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Soft Oatmeal Bread

Slices of whole wheat bread close up shotRTSTUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Buying 'wheat' bread like Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse is a misnomer, as many times the wheat comes from enriched flour and not whole wheat," says physician nutrition specialist, Dr. Adrienne Youdim. "Whole wheat contains the whole kernel including the fiber and other nutrients, whereas enriched flour has nutrients stripped when processed as flour, and only some of the nutrients are replaced in the enrichment process."

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Honey Ham

Close-up of pork meat, abstract food backgroundTATIANA POPOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Cold cuts like Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Honey Ham are highly processed meats with many additives including sodium, artificial additives, and nitrates," says Dr. Youdim. "The long-term effects of ingesting these additives can lead to high blood pressure, digestive issues, and even colon cancer." Deli meats are also one of the foods to never eat if you want to live a long life.

Ragú Chunky Tomato, Garlic & Onion Sauce

Detail of italian meat sauce (Bolognese or ragu) cooked with vegetables and tomato sauce and a wooden forkALBERTO MASNOVO/SHUTTERSTOCK
One serving of Ragú Chunky Tomato, Garlic & Onion Sauce has 12g of sugar and 1/5 of your sodium cap for the day. Always read labels. It's near impossible to find bottled pasta sauce that's free from sugar and sodium but, at the very least, look for a low-sugar option made only with ingredients you recognize—try Muir Glen. Don't forget to keep these healthy pasta alternatives in mind.

Sobe Green Tea

Closeup of a green liquid with a line of bubbles at the top.STEVE CUKROV/SHUTTERSTOCK
"You may see trading your can of soda for a bottled tea as a healthy swap, but often bottled teas are high in sugar and even fructose corn syrup," says Dr. Youdim. "Sobe Green Tea is essentially like drinking that can of soda you just gave up. I suggest making your own tea and putting it in a gallon-sized bottle to keep in the fridge." Another tip: Make you memorize the foods cancer doctors never eat.

Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws

close up of cross section along carrotBORZYWOJ/SHUTTERSTOCK
"This is one of the best examples of deceptive packaging in the grocery store," says Elizabeth Somer, M.A.,R.D., author of Eat Your Way to Happiness. The first two ingredients in Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws are potato stach and potato flour, which are glorified potato chips. "While a serving of vegetables supplies 19 to 40 calories and virtually no sodium, a full serving of these straws will cost you 130 calories and 210mg of sodium." Instead try Rhythm Superfoods, maker of a number of filler-free dehydrated snacks such as Beet Chips, which are flavorful and loaded with potassium and fiber. Craving carbs? Check out these craving-busting snack ideas.

Blue Bonnet Margarine

Closeup of a spreadable yellow butter.STANZI/SHUTTERSTOCK
Butter isn't great for your diet, but margarine is the absolute worst. "Margarines like Blue Bonnet are high in trans fat, which has been shown to lower 'good' HDL cholesterol and raise 'bad' LDL (and total) cholesterol," says Paul Salter RD, MS, and nutrition editor at bodybuilding.com. Better options would be unsalted plain butter, olive oil, or ghee, which is clarified butter. Carrington Farms makes a number of good options.

Coffee-Mate Coffee Creamer

Powdered milk high definition patternTACIO PHILIP SANSONOVSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK"Coffee-Mate Coffee Creamer contains a hodge-podge of trans fats, added sugars, and a plethora of artificial flavors, colorings, and more!" Salter says. Instead, opt for unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or Oatly (yes, oat-based milks are now a thing!). Don't miss these simple ways to make your coffee healthier.

Nabisco Wheatsworth Stone Ground Wheat Crackers

DrybreadTONIS VALING/SHUTTERSTOCK
"The deceptive word here is wheat," says Somer. "In this case, it just means that these crackers are made with refined wheat flour, the first ingredient listed. Five crackers packs almost a teaspoon of fat, 3.5g, too. Some brands, such as Kashi, make some wonderful, high-fiber wholesome cereals, but other products in the line, such as some of their crackers, have more white flour than whole. Always read the label and assume nothing." If you're looking for a more nutritious alternative, Know Better Thins are packed with fiber and protein, and are low in net carbs.
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Dole Garlic Caesar Salad Kit

Close up Caesar salad with homemade croutons, sliced bacon, parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing in large ceramic white bowl.WINTERSTORM/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Many premade salad kits are fat, salt, and calorie landmines," says Somer. "Dole Garlic Caesar Salad Kit, for example, says that there are three servings in a bag. Each little serving (1.5 cups) is 170 calories and 15g of fat! Use the entire salad dressing pouch and croutons on your salad, and you're consuming more calories than you'd get in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese." Try these healthy salad recipes instead.

Smucker's Seedless Strawberry Jam

Texture: raspberry jam, food theme backgroundSOFIA IARTSEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
"All-Fruit Jam and Regular Jam are the same, and some all-fruit jams even have more calories," says Somer. "Both list whole fruit as the first ingredient—the only difference is that regular jam, like Smucker's Seedless Strawberry Jam, uses corn syrup—a vegetable-based ingredient, which is why it can't be called 'all-fruit,' while all-fruit ones use concentrated white grape or pear juice, which is just highly refined sugar extracted from fruit."

Kellogg's 100 Calorie Bars

Sunflower seeds, Sesame seeds and nuts in caramel glaze. Seed texture.ADRIAN_AM13/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Even though Kellogg's 100 Calorie Bars are just 100 calories, they're not healthy—the main ingredients are enriched flour and a bunch of different sugar varieties," says Hillary Lewis, founder of Lumi. "These ingredients will only cause your body to crave more sugar." Be wary of anything not made with real, wholesome food, she adds. Bars like these may be low in calories, but they're high in ingredients that grow the waistline. Try these 100-calorie snacks instead.

Saffron Road Baked Lentil Chips

A close view of traditional yellow corn tortilla chips.LOUELLA938/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Just because a product is 'gluten-free,' 'non-GMO,' and a 'great source of fiber' doesn't actually mean it is good for you," says Neda Varbanova, certified culinary nutritionist, holistic health coach, and recipe creator. "These lentil chips contain potassium chloride, canola oil, and calcium chloride—all ingredients that should make you think twice about picking it up."

Campbell's Spaghetti-Os with Meatballs

close up of american italian meatball spaghetti food backgroundZKRUGER/SHUTTERSTOCK
Varbanova underscores that the worst part about Campbell's Spaghetti-Os with Meatballs is that Campbell's directly targets parents and their kids with their packaging. "The colors are fun and it has a bright green label saying 'healthy kids entree,' but there is nothing healthy about this concoction. The ingredients for a simple spaghetti and meatballs dish contains almost 40 ingredients, making it more of a science project than a meal. Ingredients to be wary of: mechanically separated chicken (aka pink slime), high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, and enzyme modified butter."

Quest Bars

Yummy cereal bars, closeupAFRICA STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Marketed as one of the lowest carb bars on the market, Quest Bars would appear to be a perfect snack full of fiber and protein," says Varbanova, who cautions that many people have reported bloating, gas, and extreme stomach pain after consuming Quest bars. "If you take a closer look at the ingredient list, you will notice that it contain erythritol. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has been linked to stomach pains, diarrhea, and headaches, especially in people who have IBS. Plus, the corn fiber in this bar is most likely GMO." For an alternative check out No Cow Bars, which pack in high quality, non-dairy protein and fiber while being low sugar.

Kellogg's Fruit Loops

Delicious and nutritious fruit cereal loops flavorful on white background, healthy and funny addition to kids breakfast HONG VO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Calling Fruit Loops fruit anything is laughable. "This cereal claims to pack in 'natural fruit flavors,'" but there is nothing natural about this product that is marketed to children," says Varbanova. "Fruit Loops contain degerminated yellow corn flour, modified food starch, hydrogenated vegetable oil, red #40, blue 1, yellow 6, and BHT for freshness. Blue 1 is an artificial food dye that is sourced from petroleum. This dye is linked to hyperactivity and an increased risk of kidney tumors."

Sara Lee Delightful Bread

detailed look at the rye bread textureRTSTUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK
"On the outside Sara Lee Delightful Bread looks like a delicious whole-wheat bread that contains only 45 calories a slice," says Varbanova. "The label also emphasizes that it's made with real honey, doesn't contain corn syrup, is an excellent source of fiber, and contains no artificial colors or flavors. However, if you take a deeper look, you'll see that this bread also includes modified wheat starch, cornstarch, soy lecithin, and potassium iodate. The term 'natural flavors' is not regulated, so it could literally contain anything. Potassium iodate may be a carcinogen, and prolonged exposure may result in skin burns and ulcerations. It may also cause respiratory irritation."


M&M's

background of colored m&msANGELINA ZINOVIEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
"One of the most popular snacks at the movie theaters, M&M'sclaim to be made with 'real chocolate, but this 'real chocolate' contains artificial flavors, corn syrup, red 40, blue 2, yellow 5, and yellow 6," notes Varbanova. "These dyes have been found to be contaminated with carcinogens, such as benzidine. Food colorings have been linked to several health issues, including allergies and hyperactivity in children." If you want a sweet treat, reach for something with a clean ingredients label like Hail Merry, and check out this list of 50 healthy supermarket buys.

Tostito's Creamy Spinach Dip

Spinach with sour cream and garlic in white plateVSL/SHUTTERSTOCK
Don't be fooled by "spinach!" in this product's name. Varbanova points out that the ingredients in Tostito's Creamy Spinach Dipinclude modified corn starch and monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, which has been linked to headaches, obesity, depression, and mental disorders.

Campbell's Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade chicken noodle soup with carrots and celery in a yellow bowl, macro with copy spaceCHERYL E. DAVIS/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Once again the label on Campbell's Chunky Chicken Noodle Soupcan easily lead you to believe it's a great nutritious food with 16g of protein," says Varbanova. "Once you look on the back, however, you'll see that this soup is full of junk. Some of the ingredients here are modified food starch, carrageenan, sugar, canola oil, disodium inosinate, and disodium guanylate." Carrageenan has been linked to digestive problems and inflammation, she notes. Also, canola oil is a refined cooking oil that goes through a heavy amount of processing with chemical solvents, neutralizers, bleach, and deodorizers before it ends up in the bottle.

Philadelphia Cream Cheese

close up texture of cream cheese like ricotta, food backgroundGCAPTURE/SHUTTERSTOCK
Not only does one serving of Philadelphia Cream Cheese have 6g of saturated fat (over a quarter of your recommended daily intake), but it's made with a number of less-than-clean ingredients, and in fact, "cheese culture" is the last ingredient listed. For an exceedingly more nutritious alternative, try Kite Hill's vegan cream cheese. You can even use their products as cream cheese alternatives in vegan cake recipes.
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Marie Callender's Pot Pie

closed up of Chicken Pot PieWARAPHONG YUHUN/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Marie Callender's Pot Pie is really two portions, not one, but you'll probably eat the entire thing," says Elizabeth M. Ward, MS, RD. "The pot pie is rich in saturated fat and has far too many calories for most people, as well as excessive levels of sodium and saturated fat." Instead, consider choosing one of these healthy frozen foods.

Snyder's of Hanover Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Sandwiches

Baked, salted tasty mini pretzels in different shapes. Macro food texture backgroundMAHLEBASHIEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Sandwiches are packed with refined carbohydrate and sodium and just a few vitamins and minerals," notes Ward. "They lack substantially in protein, which may leave you feeling like you need more food soon after eating them." Instead, she suggests opting for walnuts. "Ounce per ounce, pretzel sandwiches and walnuts have about the same calories, but walnuts supply heart-healthy fat, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and are naturally low in sodium."

Haribo Original Gold Bears

CandySN.BORBALA/SHUTTERSTOCK
"They may be fat-free, but Haribo Original Gold Bears are full of added sugar and food coloring," says Danielle Hamo RD, LDN. "Eating them will probably lead to increased hunger because they're all carbs and have no fiber to prevent your blood sugar from spiking and crashing."

Kellogg's Pop Tarts

Hot Strawberry Toaster Pastry with frosting and sprinklesBRENT HOFACKER/SHUTTERSTOCK
"Pop Tarts are only 200 calories, but that doesn't mean they're good for you," says Hamo. "There's no protein, and they're mostly made up of sugar and fat. They're also full of food coloring, palm oil, and high fructose corn syrup—all things you want to avoid. There's no real fruit here, and all the carbs come from added sugars and refined flour."

Ocean Spray Craisins Dried Cranberries

Heap of dried cranberries TONI GENES/SHUTTERSTOCK
The problem with dried fruit is that while it does have nutrients, it's also loaded with calories and sugar and very easy to overeat. What's worse, many packaged dried fruits, such as Ocean Spray Craisins Dried Cranberries, have added sugar—out of the 40g of carbs in one serving, 29 are sugar! Fresh fruit will always be the best choice, but if you must have the dried kind, opt for the no-sugar-added kind. Navitas Organics makes a number of better alternatives, or try a That's It bar, each of which is made with nothing more than two servings of whole fruit.

Snapple Peach Tea

Cola with Ice. SplashTIM UR/SHUTTERSTOCK
Saying that Snapple Peach Tea is made from the best stuff on earth is the opposite of truth in advertising. One bottle has 160 calories and 39g of sugar—that's about 10 teaspoons! It also has 40g of carbs, which is 13 percent of your daily value. Instead, make your own iced tea. Brands like Kusmi have specifically formulated 0 calorie, 0 sugar iced varieties.

Häagen-Dazs Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Texture of granola ice cream as background from aboveROBERT KNESCHKE/SHUTTERSTOCK
You already know that ice cream isn't great for your diet, but Häagen-Dazs Butter Pecan is about as bad as it gets. It racks up a whopping 290 calories, 50 percent saturated fat, and 17g of sugar per serving, and you know no one eats just one serving. With great-tasting, high fiber, low calorie alternatives like Halo Top(which made our list of healthiest supermarket buys), there's really no reason to indulge here.

Sun Maid Raisins Vanilla Yogurt Raisins

The pile of white yogurt coated reasonsAHPHOTOSWPG/SHUTTERSTOCK
Don't be fooled by "raisins" or "yogurt." Sun Maid Raisins Vanilla Yogurt Raisins are full of sugar (19g out of a 30g serving), and low in protein and fiber. They're also very high in saturated fat and net carbs. Worse yet, if you think you're getting calcium, think again. One serving has just 2 percent calcium, and other ingredients are partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil and titanium dioxide (yes, the same thing you find in sunscreen and makeup). For an exceedingly better-for-you pop-able sweet snack, check out Alter Eco Coconut Clusters, which are low in sugar and packed with fiber and protein, along with a clean list of ingredients.
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Tombstone Original Pizza

Pizza background - macro shot of pepperoni pizzaVM2002/SHUTTERSTOCK
Not only is Tombstone Original Pizza full of chemicals and preservatives, but it's also very high in calories, fat, sodium, and carbs. It's even relatively high in sugar. And while we're on the topic of pizza, don't forget to avoid this topping. For a more nutritious alternative, jump on the cauliflower pizza crust trend. If you're not ready to make a pizza crust from scratch (even though it's easy!), Califlour offers great store-bought alternatives, which you can load up with fresh produce for a low-calorie, high-fiber, filling meal.

Lean Cuisine Sesame Chicken

chicken pastaTIM UR/SHUTTERSTOCK
There's nothing lean about Lean Cuisine Sesame Chicken. It has so much salt that you'll be bloated for hours, if not longer. It also has a whopping 15g of sugar and is very high in carbs while being low in satiating fiber.

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