98 Of The Most Unhealthy Foods In The World

If you're trying to avoid unhealthy foods, there are certain ingredients to look out for. Things like salt, sugar, and certain types of fat can have serious consequences if they're eaten too often or if they make up too high a percentage of your daily food intake. Other things to avoid include nitrates, processed foods, oily or greasy foods, and additives. NPR reports that ultra-processed foods have risen in popularity, but continue to be linked with serious health consequences. Many harmful elements can make an otherwise healthy food terrible for you, so you really have to be vigilant when reading the nutritional information.

There are also ways of preparing food to avoid, and you can easily cut out some of the most dangerous foods by being aware of a few red flags. For example, it's a good idea to not eat anything that is deep-fried, charred on a grill, or processed to the point that it can come out of a package years later with no significant change. One NIH study lists fast foods and prepared foods as being potentially dangerous, as they contain high calories and little nutrition. The foods that fit into these categories are often some of the worst for your health. In this article, we'll show you exactly what foods you ought to avoid.

It can be easy to forget that french fries are just another fried food, and as with other fried foods, are a risky choice for your long-term health. Eat This, Not That! writes that fries are one of the many popular foods that have been labeled as potential carcinogens, meaning they might increase your chances of developing cancer. They also point out, that after you eat potatoes, their starch breaks down into sugar, which is another health risk to consider. Forbes says that due to research that suggests that french fries can increase mortality, we ought to cut back on how often we eat them.

Another culprit when it comes to weight gain and cavities is ice cream. It sure tastes sweet, but it might leave a bitter taste in your mouth to know how bad ice cream can be for you. Most ice cream flavors contain high amounts of fat, calories, and sugar. SFGate says that the milk fat content of ice cream will generally range from 10 to 16 percent, with milk fat being a high-cholesterol saturated fat. So be careful, because ice cream is one food that is best eaten in moderation, if at all.

If you're looking for a food that's packed with saturated fats, sodium, and bad for heart health, look no further than American cheese. Although it is a staple in many sandwiches, American cheese might be one of the worst cheeses for your health. According to Delish, American cheese is so highly processed that it can last six months in the fridge. This cheese is technically less than 50% real cheese and therefore is often called a "cheese product." On top of that, all the sodium and additives can have health consequences in the long term if you eat it frequently.

Swearing off soda can be a really good thing for your bodily health, as one PopSugar writer found out firsthand when she quit for a year. Insider states that soda has been linked to tooth decay, obesity and diabetes, and even depression. Soda is loaded with high fructose corn syrup, which can cause your body to generate more fat and cholesterol and lead to a fatty liver, among many other negative health effects. Giving up a soda habit won't be easy, but CNN recommends choosing alternatives like water or unsweetened tea for the sake of your health.

Whether you go for the processed pancake syrup made with high fructose corn syrup, or the fancy natural maple syrup that costs an arm and a leg, neither one is actually good for you. According to Consumer Reports, 1/4 cup of maple syrup contains about 200 calories and more than 50 grams of sugar, maxing out your entire recommended daily sugar allowance. Because it contains so much sugar, syrup should only be eaten occasionally in moderation. Especially if you eat pancakes and waffles often, you should consider cutting back on the syrup or finding something else to eat that is healthier for you.

For those who love tuna, I have some bad news. Tuna is one fish that is known to contain a good deal of mercury. Depending on the variety, tuna can contain a mean mercury concentration of anywhere from 0.12 to 0.68 PPM (part per million) according to the FDA, and ultimately this can be very harmful to human health. Per LiveScience, mercury poisoning can occur with frequent exposure over time, leading to side effects like tremors, blindness, or even death. It's a good idea to be very careful to avoid eating excessive amounts of fish like tuna because of its mercury content.

This beloved fair and festival snack may taste amazing, but it is basically terrible for you. ABC News says that one funnel cake can pack 700 calories, taking up a big chunk of your recommended daily caloric intake, plus serving you 40 grams of fat. Aside from containing almost no nutrition, funnel cake has a lot of sugar and is fried in oil. Basically, it's a cake, but even worse than a baked cake in terms of health. Some of the long-term consequences of eating fried foods are weight gain and increased risk of diabetes (via WebMD). So it may be better to just enjoy the smell while you're at the fair rather than indulging in a funnel cake yourself.

According to Healthline, maraschino cherries are bleached cherries that are sweetened and preserved in a chemical solution. The processing these cherries go through lowers their natural antioxidants and doubles their sugar content to about 2 grams per cherry. The liquid they're suspended in is usually made with high fructose corn syrup, and their bright red tint comes from Red 40, an artificial coloring that may lead to hyperactivity in children. Although cherries begin as a relatively healthy fruit, once they've been processed and stored in preservatives they lose any health value they once had and become nothing more than another junk food.

If you're planning a day of grilling meat over an open fire, you may want to think twice. Red meat has been shown to be carcinogenic, according to Moffitt Cancer Center. Charring the meat on the grill may increase cancer risk as well. Per SFGate, some compounds in wood smoke are known carcinogens. Studies have linked smoked meats to incidences of other health problems, including stomach infections from E. Coli and elevated sodium that can negatively affect blood pressure. So, before firing up the grill or smoker, you should carefully consider whether the risk is worth it.

Sloppy Joes used to be really popular, but lately, they've fallen off a bit. This is probably a good thing because sloppy Joes are not very good for you. The tomato sauce used in sloppy Joes usually contains a lot of sodium, while the meat is usually ground beef, which has a lot of fat and cholesterol. SFGate states that sloppy Joes can be linked to health consequences like high blood pressure and diabetes. They suggest including beans or fresh vegetables to help you get nutrients if you eat sloppy Joes, but you could instead just choose a healthier meal.

Cheese, oil and tortilla are the main components in a basic quesadilla, according to LiveStrong, although sometimes they also contain meat and other ingredients. Just one quesadilla can contain more than 600 calories and 38 grams of fat. You might have thought that they seem pretty harmless, but all the fat and carbohydrates cause quesadillas to be a pretty bad food for your health. Insider suggests using less cheese or substituting a rice wrap for your tortilla to make your quesadilla a bit healthier. As with other unhealthy foods, these are best consumed in moderation.

Rock candy, also called rock sugar, contains quite a lot of calories. It has 25 calories per teaspoon, which is even more than white sugar, according to LiveStrong. If you've ever made rock candy you know that it is essentially crystallized sugar, although some types contain other additives such as flavorings. Don't be fooled into thinking that there are any health benefits to eating rock candy other than maybe a little stress relief or temporary happiness. It's very bad for your teeth as well, and you'll be making your dentist's life easier if you choose to pass on it.

For many of us, Cinnabon cinnamon rolls are like heaven on earth. And if you only eat them every once in a while, say once a year, then you're probably fine. But because of the extremely high calorie count of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, they can be quite bad for you if you get them too often. According to the Cinnabon website, just one classic Cinnabon cinnamon roll contains 880 calories, 37 grams of fat, and 61 grams of sugar. This is definitely a diet-buster, and easily one of the worst foods you can eat.

Pork rinds are made from pig skin that is deep-fried to a crispy consistency. Although they've become a bit trendy with the low-carb crowd, pork rinds still aren't the healthiest snack to munch on. The things that make them the most unhealthy are the sodium high levels of sodium and fat. The salt in particular poses a risk to heart health. According to Healthline, pork rinds have over 1,000 mg of sodium per serving, which is nearly half of the daily recommended limit. LiveStrong says that most of the calories in pork rinds come from fat, some of which is saturated, so if you can find a healthier thing to snack on, you should switch it up.

Buffalo wings are chicken wings that are fried and covered in a buttery sauce. You're not likely to confuse them with a salad, but just so you know, they're not good for you. LiveStrong lists a standard serving of buffalo wings (which they say is four wings) at somewhere around 330 calories, with an extra 200 or so calories added when you use a dipping sauce like ranch. You should also keep in mind that buffalo wings tend to be high in sodium as well, around 160 mg per six wings, according to Verywell Fit. So, if you're considering ordering a 50-wing plate, consider having fewer so you can make it to the next night out.

One common ingredient in grilled cheese sandwiches is American cheese, which has already been named as one of the bad foods on this list. Of course, you could use a different cheese to make your grilled cheese healthier, but ultimately, the white bread used in a grilled cheese is also not good. Plus, many people coat their pan with oil or butter, which is another bad ingredient. Grilled cheese is basically a smorgasbord of unhealthy choices.

As Healthline explains, one grilled cheese sandwich can contain around 500 calories and also contains hefty doses of salt and saturated fat. Combine those attributes with the fact that there's very little fiber in this sandwich, and it's obvious that you shouldn't eat these too often.

You might not think about sweetness when you think of bread, but bread actually contains quite a lot of sugar. The high glycemic index of white bread makes blood sugar levels spike after consumption, according to Eat This, Not That!, and this can lead to cardiovascular disease or kidney failure in the long term. Additionally, white bread is known for having bleached flour, and Spoon University points out that the chemicals used in this process can be carcinogenic. With this in mind, you'll want to consider buying a different kind of bread that is less processed, or at least isn't white bread.

Whether you're a fan of burgers, steak, or other forms of red meat, you'll want to consider cutting it out, or at least cutting back. Recent studies have shown that some consequences of eating red meat include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and even death (via Scripps). With side effects like that, it's no surprise that vegetarian and vegan diets are on the rise as people become more conscientious about their health. The NIH has weighed in on this as well, confirming that substituting healthier foods like nuts and whole grains can lower the risk of death from health conditions associated with red meat consumption.

Jello is well-known to be made from animal gelatin, giving it that signature jiggle. Though it's a fun food many enjoy, it can be bad for you because of all of the sugar and additives it contains. If you're not grossed out about the fact that it's made from animal bones, tendons, and other connective tissue, consider that it offers you very little nutritional benefit (via Healthline). If you like eating jiggly sugar that is swimming in artificial dye, this is great. Otherwise, it's best to avoid it.

You may be someone who pours a bit of coffee creamer into your coffee every morning without thinking too much about it. If that's the case, you may want to consider switching it up. Black coffee has fewer calories, plus it doesn't carry the risks associated with coffee creamer. This creamy addition to your morning cup of joe sometimes contains carrageenan, which is known to be a potential carcinogen and can cause gastrointestinal problems, according to SheFinds. Additionally, coffee creamer is often heavily processed and packed with added sugars, as Healthline explains. Why not try going without it some mornings?

Churros are another delicious treat that you'll often find at fairs or festivals, and in the moment they can seem like a great choice when you're already having a good time and want to indulge a bit. Just be careful not to make it a habit, because these 200-plus calorie treats are essentially fried dough covered in sugar, much like funnel cake. As the LA Times puts it, churros offer practically no nutrition, and the oil they're fried in is linked to heart disease and other health threats. In short, better not have these too often.

Canada is known for poutine, an indulgent treat that tourists often buy when they visit to get a taste of the local cuisine. Of course, if you're a Canadian, you may be used to eating poutine. The dish is essentially just gravy and cheese curds fries, and as you might imagine, it's pretty bad for you. CNN says one order of poutine can contain more than 700 calories and 40 grams of fat. The high fat content, plus the excessive amount of salt, makes poutine a food to pass on.

Nacho cheese is so heavily processed that it lasts for years and hardly resembles food when you take it out of its packaging. If you stop to think about it, you may notice that it actually tastes quite salty and doesn't really have much cheese flavor. Ricos nacho cheese sauce contains 4.5 grams of fat and 540 milligrams of sodium, and that's before you add the fat and salt from the tortilla chips you're dipping into it (via Walmart). That's not to mention all of the artificial colors and preservatives that are all present in this unhealthy dip.

There have been a number of articles and news stories over the years about how bad candy corn is for you. As a Halloween candy, I don't think any of us are really surprised to know that it isn't the healthiest treat. It's primarily corn syrup and sugar, is highly processed, and should definitely be eaten in moderation (via Vox). People are split about whether or not candy corn even tastes good, but the nutrition facts for Brach's candy corn should have us all in agreement that it's not worth eating. Just 15 pieces pack 110 calories and 22 grams of sugar, so try not to eat a whole bag.

Another fried food you should be careful not to eat too much of is mozzarella sticks. These tend to be high in the same things as other fried foods: saturated fat, sodium, and calories. For that reason, eating them too often could put you at risk for health issues such as heart disease and obesity, according to SFGate. Ultimately, if you're going to order these, you should be sure not to overdo it. While fine in moderation, these can have serious consequences if you eat them too much.

Sausages or one food that is beloved by many, especially when grilling outdoors. While their culinary value is undeniable, they're not the most health-conscious protein choice. Sausages have been shown to increase the risk for some chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to Eat This, Not That!. Sausages are also highly processed and contain a lot of sodium and saturated fat, so they are certainly not a healthy choice as the center of your meal. You could always grill veggies instead.

Creme brulee is a well-known dessert consisting of a custard base with a toasted layer of sugar on top. The main ingredients are cream, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla (via Saveur). Overall it is a simple dish, but it does contain a large number of calories. This dessert is considered indulgent for a reason; it is very sugary and contains a lot of saturated fat, and therefore should not be eaten very frequently. You could also try whipping up a lighter version, such as the yogurt brulee from Glamour.

Most of us already know this, but just as a reminder, candy bars or one of the worst foods you can eat. Candy bars tend to have a very high level of sugar and fat, plus they are highly processed to make them shelf-stable. As an occasional treat, they can be all right. Just make sure that you don't start eating them every day. Several candy bars contain hundreds of calories, more than a dozen grams of fat, and your entire daily value of sugar (via Yahoo). In addition to potential health issues from sugars and fats, US News & World Report points out that candy bars can also have negative effects on your teeth and may lead to cavities.

Dextrose is a form of sugar that is often found in certain foods, such as those that are packaged or processed. Many food manufacturers will label their products as being "sugar-free" when they instead include dextrose or other hidden sugars. It's sweet but less sweet than other forms of sugar. According to LiveStrong, dextrose is a corn sugar that is used to enhance food flavor and keep from going bad. Dextrose consumption over time can put you at risk for heart disease and diabetes.

In general, nuts are considered a healthy snack. One exception to this rule of thumb is honey-roasted nuts. These tend to be high in sugar and are more processed than regular nuts, making them a less healthy choice. LiveStrong says that honey-roasted nuts have 2 grams of extra sugar in each ounce as compared to other nut varieties. They also tend to have high levels of fat, according to VeryWell Fit, and are generally a salty food. So if you're craving nuts, try to avoid the ones that are coated in sugar.

Gummy bears are one of those candies that you should definitely avoid. They are among the worst candies you can eat because they are really terrible for your teeth, as Summit Dental Health warns. Their gummy texture causes them to stick to your teeth, leading to tooth decay and other issues. Plus, one of their primary ingredients is sugar, which is not good for you in large amounts. Ultimately, this treat is not as sweet a choice as the sugar would have you believe.

Molasses is a syrup used in a number of foods as a sweetener, and unfortunately is among the worst foods you can eat. As Tasting Table explains, it is used in foods like baked beans and gingersnaps. It's a byproduct of the sugar refining process. LiveStrong suggests that molasses is functionally similar to white sugar and contains a similar amount of calories per serving. Ultimately, sugar is sugar, and though molasses has some trace nutrients that make it slightly healthier than pure white sugar, it should still only be consumed in small amounts.

Some of our most beloved childhood snacks just don't look so good in retrospect. Salt water taffy, for example, is made with sugar, corn syrup, butter, oil, and other ingredients that are not very good for you. Just seven pieces of salt water taffy contain 160 calories and more than 20 grams of sugar, according to VeryWell Fit. Eating these sweets is one way to overdo your sugar intake quickly. Although it tastes good, salt water taffy is not a smart choice if you want to protect the health of your teeth and body.

Beans by themselves are healthy, but not if they're covered in sugar. Baked beans are yummy, and a part of that delicious flavor comes from all of the sugar and other sweeteners that are added. They tend to be pretty unhealthy because the added sugar could potentially put you at risk for developing heart disease or even type 2 diabetes, according to Healthline. Just one serving can also have quite a lot of sodium from added salt. Plus, they have other additives to be wary of, including those used for coloring.

As you may have guessed, pizza has made the list as one of the worst foods in the world for your health. With the main ingredients being dough, sauce, and cheese, pizza is certainly not a healthy food. Many slices are dripping with oil from the cheese, and this can contribute to weight gain and other health issues. CNN also warns that pizza can be high in sodium and saturated fat in addition to all the calories it contains. Though it may be tasty, pizza is not good for you.

Bread pudding is a delicious dessert, but it is also chock-full of carbohydrates and sugar. The Food Network says that a classic bread pudding recipe could have 600 calories or more, plus 30 grams of fat in one serving. Thankfully there are ways to make this recipe a bit lighter, by using slightly different ingredients such as low-fat milk or unsweetened bread. If you go with the classic version, this is definitely one of those items that you want to eat in moderation.

Garlic bread may be delicious, but it is a high-carbohydrate food. It's also slathered in butter and has a high sodium content. So you may be tempted to eat an entire garlic bread loaf, but if you care about your health, you'll want to reconsider. According to The Nest, just one slice of garlic bread can contain 150 calories, which is pretty high for something you're probably eating as a side to a full meal. SFGate suggests cutting back on the carbs by having garlic tortillas or popcorn instead.

Fruit snacks are more than a little misleading. They actually contain little to no fruit, but do tend to have quite a lot of sugar. Welch's fruit snacks, for example, have 15 grams of sugar in each pouch. As the Food Network puts it, "Most fruit snacks are nothing more than sugar and dyes." In other words, this is not the healthy snack you might've imagined. You'd be much better off including apple and orange slices or some other fresh fruit rather than these highly processed snacks.

The health benefits and risks of chocolate have been highly debated over the years. However, it's uncontested that most chocolate contains sugar. Unless you're eating very bitter chocolate that is mostly cacao beans, a lot of the chocolate you will find on supermarket shelves is not healthy. The British Heart Foundation says that the sugar and saturated fat found in chocolate can cause weight gain or even heart disease. With this in mind, it's good to remember that chocolate is candy and shouldn't be a dietary staple.

If you've ever tasted beef jerky you should already know that the salty flavor many people love doesn't exactly bode well for health. Beef jerky is highly processed and often contains nitrates to help preserve it for long periods of time. As with other processed meats, these nitrates can contribute to cancer risk. According to LiveStrong, 1 ounce of beef jerky can contain over 1,700 mg of sodium, which is close to your daily limit. If beef jerky is your go-to snack, you ought to consider trying to switch to something healthier.

Cake is a tasty treat, and so long as you're only indulging in a small piece of cake on your own birthday, or perhaps a few times a year, you should be fine. But keep in mind that cake is high in sugar and basically contains no nutritional benefits. One Wegmans sheet cake, for example, has more than 300 calories and 30 grams of sugar per slice. LiveStrong suggests that a large portion of the calories and sugar are in the frosting, so going without that topping can make the cake at least a little healthier. You could also consider a birthday fruit salad instead if you want to go for a healthier choice.

Whether you sweeten your iced tea with sugar or artificial sweeteners, this drink is essentially water and tea, plus sweetener. Sweet tea has many more calories than unsweetened iced tea, around 70 or more per 8-ounce serving (via SFGate). This high caloric value is especially concerning since you can easily gulp down several glasses on a hot day or while casually dining in a restaurant. SheFinds points out that a glass also may have more than 30 grams of sugar. The calories and sugar from sweetened iced tea will add up, potentially leading to increased weight and consequences for your dental health.

Jalapeño poppers are one fried food that you ought to avoid. They tend to be cheese-stuffed jalapeños that are battered, then fried. They are available at some fast-food restaurants like Carl's Jr, where one order has 370 calories and 19 grams of fat. Even if made at home they are not a healthy snack. One recipe from The Spruce Eats actually has worse nutrition facts than the fast-food version, with 392 calories and 29 grams of fat per serving. When you factor in all the saturated fat and oil, jalapeño poppers are quite a risky thing to be eating.

Although most of us do not regularly eat shark meat, those who do should reconsider. If you're at a sushi restaurant and see shark as an option, know that it's one of those aquatic animals known for containing high levels of mercury. This high concentration of mercury is often found in large, predatory fish, according to the NRDC, and cannot be removed. CNN warns that ingesting too much mercury can lead to blindness, and in some cases, death. The general consensus is that avoiding shark is best, whether swimming in the water or placing an order on dry land.

Fried Oreos are one of those things that we all know cannot possibly be good for you. Oreos are bad enough, but when you take an Oreo, dip it in batter, and fry it, you're making an already unhealthy food even worse. Of course they taste amazing, but you should eat these very rarely, if ever. They are high in calories, trans fat, and all the other terrible and unhealthy things you find in fried foods. Built Lean says that just five fried Oreos will have nearly 900 calories, 48 grams of fat, and more than 50 grams of sugar. The Baltimore Sun suggests that perhaps we should consider each cookie to be its own serving. With numbers like these, you definitely shouldn't have more than one.

Pepperoni is a pork product typically used as a topping for pizza. It's a cured meat that, according to SFGate, is high in saturated fat, sodium, and nitrates. The publication says that eating pepperoni can lead to high cholesterol and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. The saturated fat in pepperoni can also lead to cognitive decline and infertility, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. If you can't resist eating pizza, you ought to at least skip this particular topping.

Spam is a processed meat you might recognize for the bright yellow lettering on its signature container. Like the other cured meats on this list, it contains sodium nitrite (via Spam). As a food, it is low in nutritional value, according to Healthline, and has high levels of fat, calories, and sodium that make it a poor choice for a meal. A better move would be to eat fresh meat or even a meat alternative. Spam tends to be pretty cheap to buy but the health costs aren't worth it in the long run.

Crunchy package pretzels might not seem too bad for you, but they are a processed food that is high in carbohydrates and sodium. Plus, many of us will just sit and mindlessly eat handfuls of pretzels without considering how much we're going through. According to Healthline, pretzels are best consumed occasionally, as they don't contain many beneficial nutrients and will increase your intake of carbs and sodium. Try to limit your pretzel intake, even if you're at a bar or munching on snack mix.

At the tail end of this list, we have cookies. These are basically sugar, butter, and flour with a few other ingredients mixed in, depending on the recipe. According to Healthline, processed cookies can lead to poor health outcomes, including weight gain and high blood pressure. Cookies tend to contain a number of bad ingredients, including chocolate and butter, which have already made this list. They are a delicious amalgam of bad foods mixed into one. As with other foods, cookies can be fine in moderation. Just don't eat a whole package and avoid the ones with unrecognizable ingredients.