Citrus drinks
“The label looks more like a complicated science experiment than a beverage,” says Lindsey Pine MS, RDN, of one citrus drink in particular. “These drinks have at most 10 percent juice, according to their ingredient lists. Not only do they have high fructose corn syrup, but they also have three different sources of artificial sweeteners in addition to artificial colors.” The grossest part? There’s oil in at least one brand of this juice! Water is obviously the best alternative, but if you need a fruit fix, Pine suggests diluting 100 percent fruit juice with water. Juice is sometimes thought of as “healthier” than soda. But looks can be deceiving. It’s actually one 17 surprisingly unhealthy foods that you should avoid.
Vegetable oil
You usually get what you pay for, and that’s exactly the case with this low-budget oils. “Cheap refined vegetable oils are known for their high amounts of omega-6 fatty acid content, and while we absolutely need omega-6’s to survive, our Western diets get way too much of them, possibly leading to systemic inflammation, which can lead to chronic disease,” explains Pine. “Further, the majority are made from genetically modified plants.” Instead she suggests you opt for Thrive Algae Oil, which is composed of 90 percent monounsaturated fat (omega-9, the heat stable “good” fat), has a neutral taste, is sustainably produced, and doesn’t contain any GMOs. On the flip side, these are the 10 foods that used to be bad for you but aren’t anymore.