cereal
Milk and bowls of cereal sit on a tray Reuters/ Luke MacGregor

Today, there are so many products claiming to be healthy and low-fat, but are truly junk foods. Some of these brands have made a reputation for being healthy and nutritious but actually leads to extra calories as well as associated health problems, due to high fat, sugar and salt content.

Here are five well-known junk foods that falsely claim to be healthy.

1. Fruit juices

Ecowatch reported that fruit juices are actually just liquid sugar. There are plenty of packed and bottled fruit juices in grocery stores, claiming to be nutritious and healthy just because these come from real fruit. The fact is, too much sugar, even from fruit, can lead to excess calories. Also, plenty of fruit juice brands add more sugar and chemicals in the mix to enhance the flavor. The important element in fruit, fiber, is taken out, so what you are getting in the end is liquid sugar. This also puts you at risk for developing diabetes.

2. Conventional yogurt

There are plenty of yogurts labeled “conventional” together with the seal “Live and Active Culture.” The fact is that conventional yogurt comes from cows that are confined in one space throughout its life and given various antibiotics and hormones and fed GMO grain. Furthermore, the yogurt can also include synthetic preservatives, processed sugar, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan and other substances, based on a report by Natural News.

3. Diet soda

Stop drinking any type of soda even if it is labeled “zero calories” or “light.” Most, or all of these products, contain aspartame, which is a sugar substitute, but still puts you at risk for various symptoms and health problems.

4. Margarine

There are commercials claiming that margarine is healthier than butter. However, margarine is not even food. It is made by a combination of chemicals and refined oils. Taking margarine regularly can actually increase your chances of developing heart disease.

5. Breakfast cereals

Plenty of breakfast cereals add labels like “low fat”, “whole grain” or “less sugar.” Many of the products you find in grocery stores are actually junk foods laden with sugar, artificial chemicals and refined grains.

Read the labels of the items your purchase, despite the advertisements claiming that these are healthy. You can prevent various health problems by knowing what you eat regularly.