Five "Healthy" Foods To Avoid

Before entering a grocery store, it’s important to remember that the bulk of foods lining the shelves are supplied by large corporations. These corporations have employed people whose job it is to sell that food to consumers.

One popular trend for marketing food to sell is to call it “healthy.” This is not a new strategy, but dentist in Newberg Oregon encourages all of her patients to research health claims regarding the food they eat, as food has a direct effect on good dental and overall health. These five “healthy” foods to avoid might surprise you.

Vegetable Oil

This is a good case for the idea that just because there’s the word “vegetable” in the name doesn’t mean it’s good for you.

Polyunsaturated vegetable oils include soy, canola and corn oils. These are highly processed oils, and are chemically changed when heated to high temperatures. This chemical change means that good cholesterol is converted to bad cholesterol as the food cooked in this oil is consumed. In addition, these oils produce trans-fats when hydrogenated, which has been shown to contribute to the development of heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

Microwave Popcorn

The bags used for microwave popcorn are lined with a substance called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used to keep grease from leaking through the package. Research has shown that this chemical has been found to leach from the bag and onto the popcorn, and easily transported into our bodies.  PFOA has been linked to a wide range of health issues, such as cancer, thyroid disease, infertility, and immune system problems.

Table Salt

We cannot live without salt, but it might be surprising to note that ‘table salt’ and the salt found in processed foods are not the kind of salt are bodies really need. Processed salt contains a percentage of chemicals along with an absence of naturally occurring minerals that can be found in all natural salt. Unrefined, natural salt is balanced and, when used in moderation, provides many health benefits.

Margarine

Another chemically-heavy food conceived during the diet craze over the last few decades is margarine, meant as a substitute for butter. The trans fats found in margarines and additional spreads contribute to a wide range of health problems. The chemicals and processing required to produce margarine results in the presence of free radicals and harmful effects from preservatives. It’s better to find rBST-free butter made from grass-fed cows and eat it in moderation rather than using margarine.

Artificial Sweeteners

In the quest to avoid foods high in sugar (that are consequently bad for our teeth), many consumers have opted to use one of the many artificial sweeteners out on the market. Instead of helping with the reduction of sugar cravings and fat loss, artificial sweeteners have actually been shown to increase sugar cravings and lead to increased weight gain. In addition, they are made from chemicals that clearly effect the way our brains work. To avoid the sugar and sweetener problem, focus on a diet of lean protein and organic fruits and vegetables.