10 Foods that You Need to Take Out of Your Diet

#10 Multi-Grain Bread 

A common misconception is that white bread is filled with refined sugars that are bad for you and brown bread is not and is therefore healthy. However, when it comes to anything labeled as being "multi-grain" the company only has to have a variety of grains in a product for it to be considered just that. That means that their main ingredient can be refined grains, so long as they add some other healthy stuff in. It also means that you might as well be eating white bread when it comes to health. Instead, look for whole grain breads and other products which do not contain the refined grains that are harmful to your health.

#9 Coke/Soda/Pop 

No matter what you call it, these carbonated beverages are absolutely terrible for you. A single 12-ounce can contains over 10 tablespoons of sugar, which is more than the daily recommended value for both men and women! In addition to the high levels of sugar, soda contains a number of dangerous chemicals and has absolutely no redeeming qualities when it comes to nutrition. Instead, choose water, fresh fruit drinks, or tea. Green tea is a great alternative because it contains enough caffeine to keep you going but it also helps activate your metabolism and is a strong detoxifier.

#8 Canned Fruits and Vegetables 

Everybody knows that fruits and vegetables are an important part of staying healthy, but eating fruits and vegetables from a can will mean that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. While the fruits and vegetables themselves are generally okay, it's the cans that pose a real threat to your health. Most cans are treated with a chemical known as BPA. While BPA does help keep bacteria out and prevents the can from rusting, it also causes a number of health issues such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems. Instead, simply choose fresh or frozen vegetables. There are a number of fresh fruits and vegetables that you can also freeze yourself to help them last longer.

#7 Margarine 

Because it is derived from vegetable oils and therefore vegetables rather than buttermilk which contains a lot of fat, many people believe that margarine is the healthy alternative to butter. This is partly because of marketing campaigns that make these claims. However, margarine is extremely high in trans fat which does a lot of damage to your body. Trans fats raises bad cholesterol levels, lowers good cholesterol levels, contributes to heart disease, increases your risk of type-2 diabetes, and many others. Instead, use regular butter. You can find unsalted butter which will help lower your sodium intake. You will also find that butter has a richer taste which means you can use less of it.

#6 Microwave Popcorn 

Although popcorn is a great healthy snack which is high in fiber as well as other important nutrients, microwave popcorn is an entirely different story. The first problem is with the bag itself, which contains a number of harmful and questionable chemicals that undoubtedly make it into your body. The other problem is with the flavoring that microwave popcorn companies use. Again, this is filled with chemicals that are unhealthy. In fact, microwave popcorn has been associated with conditions such as tumors, Alzheimer's disease, infertility problems, and thyroid conditions. Instead, make popcorn the old-fashioned way and enjoy it plain, or sprinkled lightly in real butter and sea salt.

#5 Coleslaw 

Many people have been tricked into thinking that coleslaw is good for you because it contains vegetables such as cabbage and carrots. However, it is also completely doused in mayonnaise which lands it far enough on the unhealthy side of the spectrum to make this list. The average-sized portion of coleslaw contains a whopping 260 calories, many of which come from the saturated fat it contains. Instead, make coleslaw yourself using healthy dressing alternatives, or simply choose another salad entirely. When it comes to salads, there is never a shortage of varieties you can try.

#4 Protein Bars 

Here is another acclaimed "health food" that is simply masquerading as such. Although protein bars do contain a lot of protein, the truth is that they contain a lot more than just protein. To give them a great taste that will keep people coming back for more, most protein bars also contain high levels of sugar and fat, which can cause an unhealthy spike in your blood sugar levels and contribute to a number of health problems. Instead, choose fresh foods as protein sources, such as nuts, seeds, lean animal products, and other foods that contain protein without the added sugars.

#3 Bagels 

Like white bread, bagels are made with refined flours which are not in any way healthy. On top of that, they are significantly more dense than bread, which means eating one bagel would be the equivalent of eating 5 slices of bread when it comes to calories and carbohydrates. On top of that, most people top their bagels with generous amounts of cream cheese which contains a lot of fat. If you're trying to lose weight, cutting out bagels is a great way to instantly lower the amount of calories you're taking in every day. Instead, choose wholegrain bread with natural jelly or real butter. Breakfast should also include a good source of protein which you can get by adding eggs or yogurt to your breakfast plate.

#2 Pre-Packaged Sandwiches 

While it may be a lot more convenient to pick up a sandwich that somebody else has already made, most of these pre-packaged sandwiches are made with low-quality ingredients that contain high levels of fat, sodium, and refined sugars. You may be surprised to hear that the average pre-packaged sandwich contains about 400 calories. On top of that, there's no guarantee of how the products were handled when being made, the age of the food being used, or how long it may have sat out during the sandwich making process. The bottom line is that pre-packaged sandwiches are just not worth it. Instead, make your own sandwiches, or choose a healthier alternative.

#1 Frosting 

Although nearly everybody can agree that frosting is delicious but also not the best for you, most people don't realize just how bad frosting really is, even in small quantities. Not only is it chock full of sugars, but it also contains large amounts of trans fat. On top of that, brightly-colored frosting can have any number of harmful chemicals that are used to dye the frosting bright colors. Your best bet is to just pass. Instead, you can make your own frosting by looking for healthy frosting alternatives. If you're already at the party, choose a center piece that has a smaller amount of frosting and avoid eating it. The good news about these unhealthy foods is that replacing them with healthy alternatives is simple and easy to do. Once you get into the habit of choosing healthier foods, it will get easier for you to make wiser eating choices that will help you improve your overall health, and lose weight more easily. Eating healthy can also help decrease many of the health problems that were mentioned in this article. Happy eating!