A shocking number of Americans are consuming foods that are high in harmful ingredients and should not be on our plates. We examined America’s most unhealthy foods, the cost of unhealthy eating, and the potential health benefits of switching to healthier foods.
The United States Department of Agriculture has identified 20 unhealthy foods in America that are not only bad for our bodies but cost you tons of money, too.
Introduction
Many of us eat unhealthy foods all the time. We’re often stressed out, tired, and rushing to get things done. However, most of us don’t have much time to make healthy eating choices.
But, with the holidays approaching, now is the perfect time to switch to healthier foods. Here are 20 unhealthy foods in America you may be eating more than you think.
Top 20 Unhealthy Foods in America
In honor of the holidays, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 worst foods in America. To determine the ranking, we took into account several factors, including the prevalence of certain foods in the United States, the amount of sugar and calories in them, and the health consequences of eating too much of them.
According to the American Heart Association, Americans are eating more and more of the wrong foods — especially during the holiday season — so we’ve rounded up the 20 most unhealthy foods in America.
1. Sugar-sweetened beverages
When it comes to the top spot on our list, it’s clear why Americans love soda: We drink more than 2 gallons of sugar-sweetened beverages a year, making us the No. 1 country in the world in terms of sugary drinks.
The average American consumes approximately 75 pounds of added sugars per year.
2. Red meat
We know Americans love their meat, and they love their red meat specifically. More than 80 percent of Americans eat at least some red meat daily, and the average American eats roughly 84 pounds of beef per year.
According to the USDA, beef ranks as the third-most-common source of saturated fat in the diet, after cheese and butter.
3. Fried chicken
Fried chicken is a staple for many families, but it also happens to be loaded with a whopping 930 calories and 20 grams of fat. Even better, it’s often served alongside a side of gravy and mashed potatoes.
4. Snacks
The average American eats around 200 to 300 snacks a month. From potato chips to cake, our favorite snack foods are no different from any other country’s. However, the average American eats more of them than the average person in most other countries.
5. Cookies
The average American consumes more than 150 cookies a year, or more than 10 a week. Cookies can be a delicious treat, but they’re also a source of high-calorie carbohydrates and trans fats.
6. Canned vegetables
Americans eat more canned vegetables than any other country. In fact, canned vegetables make up roughly 8 percent of the average American’s diet. While canned veggies can be convenient, they’re usually loaded with sodium.
7. Chocolate
Chocolate isn’t just for special occasions. Americans consume more than 1,200 calories of chocolate a year, more than the average person in any other country. Chocolate is also loaded with unhealthy fats and sugar.
8. Alcohol
We’re not saying that everyone who enjoys a drink should stop. What we are saying is that the average American consumes more alcohol than anyone else in the world. Americans also tend to have a higher number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths.
9. Candy
With all the sugar in our diets, it’s no surprise that Americans eat more candy than any other country in the world. Americans eat an average of 1,400 candy calories a year.
10. Bread
It’s hard to believe that bread would ever make this list, but the average American consumes more than 500 slices a year. Bread also happens to be the second-most common source of saturated fat in the American diet.
11. Cheese
Although cheese is a popular choice for any meal, Americans eat more than three times the amount of cheese as the average person in any other country. Cheese is also loaded with saturated fat and sodium.
12. Pasta
Pasta doesn’t sound healthy on paper, but Americans are actually eating more pasta than the average person in any other country. If you want to lose weight, try swapping out your pasta for whole grains.
13. Ice cream
Ice cream is a treat, but it’s also a high-calorie, high-fat treat that has been linked to obesity and diabetes. It’s also packed with sugar, and Americans eat more than a third of the total amount of ice cream consumed worldwide.
14. Coffee
Although Americans drink more coffee than the average person in most other countries, we don’t drink nearly enough of it. The average American consumes more than 4,000 caffeine-filled calories a year.
15. Soft drinks
The average American consumes more than 3,600 calories of soft drinks annually. That’s more than the average person in most other countries. Soft drinks also have a high number of calories and are a major source of added sugars.
16. Eggs
Eggs are an affordable protein option that’s also a good source of fiber. But Americans aren’t eating enough eggs compared to the rest of the world. And, on average, Americans consume more than 400 calories of eggs per year.
17. Potato chips
The average American eats more than 10 potato chips per month, or about 160 chips a year. The good news is that many of the chips on this list are baked, not fried, which means they’ll also be lower in calories and fat.
18. Potato salad
Americans eat more than 200 calories of potato salad each year. Potato salad is also loaded with unhealthy fats and sodium.
19. Frozen dinners
Americans eat more frozen meals than any other country in the world. On average, the average American eats about 700 frozen dinners a year.
20. Sweet rolls
We all know what sweet rolls taste like, but Americans eat more than 4,000 of them per year. Sweet rolls are also loaded with saturated fat and sodium
conclusion
In conclusion, this is a list of foods that are unhealthy due to high levels of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and calories. Some people are worried about getting fat because they think that it’s unhealthy, but I want to tell you that the only reason that fat is bad for you is that it has too much cholesterol and fat.
High-fat foods have many health benefits such as being rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and essential fatty acids. You should eat healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, avocados, seeds, fish, and dark chocolate.
Don’t believe all those diets that tell you to avoid fat and carbohydrates.