When it comes to convenience, pre-packaged foods can seem like a blessing. However, many of these items come with hidden downsides, such as added preservatives, unnecessary sugars, and a loss of freshness. If you’re trying to eat healthily or are looking for more flavor, it’s often a good idea to steer clear of pre-packaged options, as fresh, homemade, or less processed alternatives are a better choice. Here are 18 food items that you shouldn’t consider buying pre-packaged.
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh vegetables are sometimes packaged to extend their shelf life, but this unnecessary plastic packaging contributes to environmental waste. National Geographic says “shrink wrap a cucumber in polyethylene and its shelf life stretches from three to 14 days. The wrap, however, may last more than a century.” Packaged vegetables are often less fresh than loose produce, which leads to them actually spoiling more quickly. They also have a higher chance of contamination due to them going through multiple handling stages.
Pre-Cut Fruits
The nutrients from fruit are vital for your health. However, if you buy pre-cut fruit, you’ll likely miss out on some of these nutrients, as nutrient loss occurs much more quickly once fruits are cut. There’s also a higher risk of bacterial contamination from processing with pre-cut fruits. On top of this, they cost significantly more than whole fruits. So, you should buy whole fruits to make the most of the nutrients and to save money.
Grated Cheese
Pre-grated cheese from the grocery store usually contains anti-caking agents that can alter the taste and texture of the cheese. Grated cheese also tends to lose its flavor and freshness faster than whole cheese. Despite all this, buying pre-grated cheese is somehow more expensive than buying a block of cheese! We all love cheese, and simply taking the extra time to grate the cheese yourself can make it even better.
Packaged Bread
Bread is an essential item that’s regularly on most people’s grocery shopping lists, but you shouldn’t be reaching for packaged bread! Packaged bread is usually loaded full of preservatives to extend its shelf life, and these chemicals can be bad for your health. This type of bread often contains added sugars and unhealthy fats too. Packaged bread also typically lacks the deliciously fresh taste and texture that bakery bread provides.
Pre-Made Guacamole
Don’t be lazy and fall into the trap of buying pre-made guacamole, as it’s overpriced and much more expensive than making it yourself! Pre-made guacamole also generally contains added preservatives and stabilizers, which have a variety of negative health effects, such as heart disease and even cancer. Homemade guacamole is so much fresher, far more tasty, and has a much better texture than the pre-made versions you can buy at the grocery store.
Canned Soup
Many people rely on canned soup for a quick dinner when they’re busy or for a comforting meal when they’re sick, but it’s actually pretty unhealthy! Canned soup has a high sodium content, which can contribute to high blood pressure. It also contains artificial flavors and preservatives that can be harmful to your health. Overall, canned soup is much less nutritious and nowhere near as good for you as homemade soup.
Bagged Salads
The New York Times reports that “American shoppers bought $4.3 billion worth of bagged salad last year, according to the International Fresh Produce Association.” However, this is a bad grocery shopping habit for many reasons. Pre-washed salads can harbor harmful bacteria like E. coli, and the salad leaves often become soggy and lose their crispness. Bagged salads also typically contain unhealthy chemical preservatives to extend their shelf life.
Bottled Salad Dressings
It might be easier and take less time and effort to buy bottled salad dressings, but it’s definitely healthier to make your own! Bottled salad dressings contain a lot of unnecessary added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives that make them bad for your health. The artificial ingredients in bottled dressings also detract from the natural flavors of the dressing, so creating your own salad dressings can also be tastier.
Instant Oatmeal
Another grocery item you should never buy pre-packaged is oatmeal. Instant oatmeal is loaded with added sugars and artificial flavors that make it taste as sweet and flavorful as it does. However, despite tasting good, it’s much less healthy than traditional oats. Instant oatmeal also often contains preservatives and unnecessary additives and lacks the fiber content that plain rolled oats can offer. Stick to traditional, plain oats for a healthy breakfast.
Packaged Deli Meats
Deli meats are a staple in most people’s diets, but you should always make sure you get fresh deli meats instead of packaged deli meats whenever you can. Packaged deli meats are high in sodium and nitrates, which have been linked to various health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer. They also regularly contain fillers and artificial preservatives. Freshly sliced deli meats from the deli are a much healthier choice.
Pre-Seasoned Meat
It’s a good idea to steer clear of pre-seasoned meats at the grocery store too. Pre-seasoned meats often contain high levels of sodium and artificial flavors. Pre-seasoning can also sometimes mask the quality of the meat, not allowing you to judge how good a piece of meat looks when buying it. Buying fresh, unseasoned meat will allow you to have better control over the ingredients and seasonings used in the meat.
Jarred Pasta Sauce
Making your own homemade pasta sauce from scratch can be much better for your health than buying jarred pasta sauces for a variety of reasons. Pre-made pasta sauces contain a lot of added sugar and salt, which can lead to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. They can often include unhealthy preservatives and artificial flavors too. Homemade sauce is healthier and fresher and allows you to include whatever ingredients you want.
Microwave Popcorn
Microwave popcorn bags previously contained harmful chemicals called perfluorocarbons (PFCs) that could cause cancer. Fortunately, these chemicals are now banned in the U.S.; however, there are still various other health concerns with microwave popcorn. According to Verywell Health, “this includes high amounts of saturated fat and salt (sodium) which can increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.” Air-popped popcorn is a much healthier alternative.
Canned Beans
Canned beans are another pre-packaged food item that should be avoided when you do your grocery shopping. As well as containing added sodium and preservatives that can damage your health, canned beans are generally less flavorful and nutritious than other options of beans. Opting for fresh or dried beans instead of canned beans will be better for your overall health and well-being, and cooking your own beans is also more economical and healthier.
Packaged Nuts
Buying pre-packaged nuts can be a mistake for more than one reason. They’re typically roasted in unhealthy oils and contain added salt, and the coatings on the nuts can also include sugar and artificial flavors, which can negatively affect your health. Raw or lightly roasted nuts are far healthier options. Buying packaged mixed nuts can also end up being pretty expensive, as they typically contain more premium nuts that are more costly.
Boxed Mac and Cheese
Boxed mac and cheese is a guilty pleasure for many of us Americans, but it’s probably doing more damage to your health than you realize. Boxed mac and cheese contains artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which are all terrible for your body. It’s also high in sodium and unhealthy fats that can raise bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Homemade mac and cheese is far superior in both health and taste!
Pre-Made Smoothies
Don’t let the healthy marketing fool you; pre-made smoothies aren’t as nutritious as they may seem! Bottled smoothies frequently contain added sugars and artificial ingredients to make them taste better. The process of pasteurization that pre-made smoothies go through can also reduce their nutrient content. You can make smoothies that are just as tasty at home while ensuring that they’re fresher, more nutritious, and use healthier ingredients.
Packaged Snacks
Packaged snacks like chips, cookies, and candy are super convenient, and they’re regularly a part of people’s grocery shopping lists. However, these packaged snacks often contain various harmful ingredients, such as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, as well as unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium. Consistently buying packaged snacks also generates a lot of packaging waste and has negative effects on the environment. Homemade snacks are better for your health and more eco-friendly.
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