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15 Breakfast Foods You Thought Were Healthy But Aren’t

August 14, 2024 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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Many people claim that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so wouldn’t it be in everyone’s best interest to get the most out of this meal by going for the most healthy options? As it turns out, there are actually many unhealthy breakfast foods that many of us keep on going back to.

The first step to choosing healthier breakfast options is to educate yourself about what the unhealthy ones are so that you can avoid them, and that’s where we can help. Read on to learn more about the 15 most unhealthy breakfast foods out there.

Flavored Yogurt

spoon of yogurt.
Image Credit:ronstik/Shutterstock.

Yogurt can be a healthy option for breakfast, but not when you’re going for the flavored options that are loaded with sugars and artificial flavors. Stick to the Greek or plain yogurts, and you’ll be fine!

Pop-Tarts

Los Angeles, California, United States - 02-12-2020: A view of a hand holding a box of Pop Tarts Frosted Strawberry, on display at a local grocery store.
Image Credit: The Image Party/Shutterstock.

This should be an obvious unhealthy breakfast choice, but many people don’t stop to think about all the added sugars and processed ingredients when vouching for convenient breakfast foods such as Pop-Tarts.

Breakfast Bars

Granola bar with chocolate chips.
Image Credit:Craig F Scott/Shutterstock.

Breakfast bars may be easy and convenient when you don’t have time to prepare something, but these food items are usually high in glucose-spiking sugars, and they are more often than not highly processed.

Bananas

Happy brunette woman wearing black sports bra standing on city park, outdoors eating healthy banana for strength and energy.
Image Credit: platinumArt/Shutterstock.

Sure, bananas are a natural fruit, but relying solely on bananas for breakfast is bound to give you a massive sugar spike as they contain mostly sugar with very little protein and fat.

Coffee

Smiling black young woman smelling freshly brewed coffee with eyes closed in cafeteria. Beautiful african girl smiling while relaxing in a coffee shop.
Image Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.

Calling all the avid coffee drinkers! If coffee is the only thing that you consume at breakfast, then you may be doing a massive disservice to your gut. Coffee is acidic, and due to this, it is not ideal for an empty stomach without accompanying food.

Processed Cereals

top view of various kids cereals in colorful bowls on wooden table.
Image Credit:Jiri Hera/Shutterstock.

Just because something is sold as a breakfast food does not make it healthy. Processed cereals are mostly loaded with sugars and refined ingredients and carry very little protein and fiber, which may lead to some major glucose spikes.

White Bread

Sliced White Bread.
Image Credit: Janet Moore/Shutterstock.

White bread may be tasty, but it’s usually highly processed and does not offer any nutrients, protein, or fats. So white bread is not a very balanced food to kickstart your day.

Muffins

Freshly baked cranberry muffins Fruit.
Image Credit:nippontt/Shutterstock.

Most muffins are made with refined flour, sugars, and oils, which make them a relatively unhealthy breakfast food option.

Fruit Juice

Green smoothie woman drinking plastic cup breakfast takeaway juice to go after morning run in summer park.
Image Credit: Maridav/Shutterstock.

A lot of people think that fruit juice is healthy beacuse it comes from a natural source, but seeing as all the fibers are removed and you’re basically just left with the sugars, fruit juice is a sugar-spiking breakfast option.

Pastries

Tasty pastries on table, closeup.
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.

Pastries are generally made with a lot of sugar, refined flour and a great amount of butter which makes then a terrible option to get your day started.

Processed Meats

Sliced fat pork bacon over board.
Image Credit:Andrey Starostin/Shutterstock.

Most breakfast meats, such as bacon and sausages, are loaded with sodium and saturated fats, making them an unhealthy breakfast choice.

Biscuits and Gravy

Homemade Southern Biscuits and Gravy for Breakfast.
Image Credit:Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.

Biscuits and gravy should really only be consumed on special occasions since they are loaded with fats and refined ingredients.

Fast Food Breakfast Options

Happy woman eats a fast food flatbread with filling sitting on the street and resting after a working day. Concept of healthy food and extra calories.
Image Credit: frantic00/Shutterstock.

It’s no secret that fast foods are unhealthy, so this one should not be a surprise.

Hash Browns

hash brown on white plate.
Image Credit:Atsushi Hirao/Shutterstock.

Yes, they are delicious, but sadly, they are not a balanced meal. Hash browns contain a lot of carbohydrates and fats, with very little or no protein.

Pancakes or Waffles

assorted waffle, pancake and crepe.
Image Credit:margouillat photo/Shutterstock.

Pancakes and waffles should really only be enjoyed every once in a while, as they are mostly made up of refined ingredients such as flour and sugar.

Experts Warn People to Never Refrigerate These 15 Food Items

Woman opens the refrigerator at night. night hunger. diet gluttony.
Image Credit: Kopytin Georgy/Shutterstock.

Refrigeration prevents spoilage and may extend the shelf life of common foods and other perishable items. While we may innocently store some foods in the refrigerator, you may be surprised that you shouldn’t store all of them, as this may affect their nutritional value, taste, and texture. 

Although refrigeration can help preserve certain foods, some items shouldn’t be refrigerated to maintain flavor and freshness. Avoiding these foods can ensure your food stays nutritious, fresh, and flavorful. 

Here are 15 food items experts warn people never to refrigerate for optimal flavor and freshness.

Experts Warn People to Never Refrigerate These 15 Food Items

3 Foods Dogs Shouldn’t Eat

Healthy dog food.
Image Credit: nancy dressel/Shutterstock.

We all love our furry friends and wouldn’t mind sharing tiny bits and pieces of food when we’re eating. While this may all be innocent, and you may be giving your dog foods that are okay, certain foods can be poisonous to dogs.

Dogs may react differently to food depending on the type, ingested amount, and size.

Read on as we discuss the three common foods dogs shouldn’t eat.

3 Foods Dogs Shouldn’t Eat
 

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