The top 5 fake health foods to avoid ever buying even if they are certified organic and prominently displayed at a health food store with the label emblazoned with marketing buzzwords.
Consider yourself warned! Not all products at the health food store are healthy!
In fact, much of it can be classified as organic junk food.
You can always tell health food store newbies as their shopping carts are typically loaded up with these types of foods.
This pattern of behavior likely indicates that they have only recently made the transition from grocery store junk food and are simply replacing one type of highly processed boxed food with another.
Having shopped at health food stores for over 30 years and seen many a food fad come and go, here is my top five list of supposedly “healthy” foods that are anything but nourishing to you and your family.
Protein Powder (all of them are bad!)
Most people do not realize that protein is a very fragile macronutrient.
When you forcibly separate protein from its whole food source in a factory, it becomes denatured.
This is the case even when done at low temperatures. For example, the simple act of drying and powdering whey protein is denaturing!
Denatured foods are toxic and allergenic to the body. This is because digestive enzymes do not work as effectively on them. This results in an incomplete digestive process for protein powder.
Undigested food rots in the gut and is the perfect food for pathogenic yeasts and bacteria to thrive upon. Over a period of time, this leads the body down the path to autoimmune disorders (most of the immune system is in the gut!).
To reiterate this important point…whey protein is especially fragile and cannot be powdered or dried even at low temperatures.
For more information, this article includes additional details on the dangers of protein powders and other high protein foods.
Incidentally, I don’t recommend bone broth protein powder either. They do not offer the same healing benefits as homemade bone broth.
If you need a protein boost, go for Real Food! Skip the processed protein powder and eat a grass-fed steak, some pastured poultry, or an egg instead!
If you must have a powder to add to your smoothie, choose a third-party certified glyphosate-free collagen powder (such as this brand).
Plant-Based “Milk”
Soy milk and other types of alternative “plant-based” milk are not ancestral foods. Nor were they ever considered of value in traditional societies, contrary to modern claims.
Not only are there zero health benefits from soy milk, but commercial alternative milk brands are almost without exception completely toxic due to the processing and packaging.
These products are a quintessential modern fake food invention…a cheap, mass-produced product with an undigestible form of calcium and synthetic Vitamin D2.
Unnatural fortification of processed foods is linked with hyperactivity, coronary heart disease, and allergic reactions. (1)
Packaging is another very serious problem with alternative milk. Drinking them risks ingesting microplastics from the thin plastic lining hiding inside the tetrapaks.
The leaching occurs from the boiling hot liquid sealed in to sterilize the cartons for ultra-long shelf stability.
The horrible taste is covered up with sugar, “natural flavors” with solvent residues, and/or innocuous-sounding alternative sweeteners allowed under USDA Organic. (2)
Perhaps the most concerning aspect is the devasting impact of these beverages on the thyroid gland. Soy is one of the most goitrogenic (thyroid-suppressing) foods on the planet. Ingestion of endocrine disruptors from the microplastics and solvent residues is also a risk to this delicate gland. (3)
Interestingly, Dr. Harry Miller, the man credited with popularizing gag-worthy soy milk in China in the late 1930s which then spread to the rest of the world, specialized in goiter surgery in his medical practice!
Canned (and Tetrapak) Broth and Soup
Canned soups and broths even if organic are never a healthy food choice. Most brands are nothing but water, sodium, and MSG.
Organic bouillon cubes are no improvement and the tetra packs of organic broth should be avoided as well due to the same packaging issues described above for plant-based milk.
Anything that is in the store that is soup-related will usually have MSG in it.
Organic MSG is still MSG. The same damaging effects occur on the neurons in your hypothalamus.
Remember that the hypothalamus is the Master Controller of the endocrine system.
Thus, if you don’t want your metabolism messed up, then avoid canned soup of all kinds as this is a very big source of this toxic ingredient.
To get a sense of how big this problem is, just read the label of your favorite organic soup and then read the list of the dozens of MSG pseudo-names manufacturers use to fool consumers. (4)
There are a few brands of organic soup that appear to be free of MSG with no offending names on the ingredient list. However, I am skeptical that this is truly the case given that regulations allow unlabeled MSG in certain situations (same situation as unlabeled transfats).
Even for soup and broth brands that seem to not contain MSG, the packaging continues to be an issue. BPA or BPS cans are not safe nor are microplastic-laden tetrapaks.
If you want a decent bowl of soup, embrace the fact that you probably need to make it yourself unless you have a local business that makes it from scratch. Consider one of these healthy soup and broth recipes to get you started.
Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil is a very delicate oil highly subject to rancidity due to the high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega 3 fats can never be heated. Even exposure to light and air hastens their rapid breakdown to a rancid state.
With this in mind, how could plain fish oil supplements be anything but unhealthy given that they are all processed at extremely high temperatures?
They are then packaged in capsules or bottles that sit for goodness knows how long on store shelves until the unwitting customer buys them.
The best type of marine oil is virgin cod liver oil from sustainable and clean waters. The delicate omega-3 fats are completely unheated and raw. In addition, natural vitamins A and D are present for a legitimate health boost.
Krill oil is marginally acceptable if low-temperature processed.
For those allergic to fish and seafood, these alternatives to cod liver oil are worth considering.
Gluten-Free Foods
Gluten-free went mainstream in 2010 when Chelsea Clinton requested a gluten-free cake at her wedding reception.
Since then, the gluten-free boondoggle has continued to expand with some health food stores dedicating entire aisles to products certified free of this loathed plant protein.
Don’t be fooled by the hype.
In most cases, gluten-free processed foods are a crutch for those who are very allergic to processed foods but aren’t yet ready to switch to Real Food.
The mark-up on a product that is gluten-free is also quite ludicrous, especially given how high in carbs and lacking in nutrition they are!
If you are allergic to gluten, it is much better to work on your gut health by focusing on a legit traditional diet (from sourcing to preparation) rather than the band-aid approach of buying gluten-free processed foods.
Once you rebalance and rebuild your gut (aka, “heal and seal”) so that beneficial bacteria dominate rather than the pathogens, you will likely be delighted to find that food sensitivities that you had before are greatly minimized or even completely resolved!
Conclusion
I hope this list helps you become a savvier health food store customer.
Beware of falling for the siren song of highly processed organic junk food marketing with faddish buzzwords.
Stick with organic or (even better) local produce grown in rich soil and minimal ingredient foods such as sprouted nut butter and traditional sourdough bread.
If you are allergic to wheat, prepare nutrient-dense gluten-free dishes at home (here is my recipe for gluten-free flour blend with no gums).
This simple change will put you far ahead of the pack and well on your way to loading your pantry and refrigerator with foods that will really enhance your health and not just give you a false sense of security.
(1) Not Milk and Uncheese: The Udder Alternatives
(2) Neotame: USDA Organic’s Dirty Little Secret
(3) How Common Chemicals Are Harming Your Thyroid
(4) MSG Aliases
I disagree over the fish oil as well its like every thing in this world you get what you pay for, if you buy the cheep fish oil caps in the supper market or chemist goodness knows where its comes from and what process it has under gone but you can buy high end supplerments that are the real deal you just have to pay more for them.
I fear that an eletist “The cod liver oil I use cannot be bought at the healthfood store” attitude may well put people off doing the best they can. Even with an abundant source of pristine water and forragable and fishable coastline I am unable to eat seafoods due to phobic horror so supplimenting is my only option. With omega 3’s potential for reducing inflamitory response, diabetic potential and leptin and insulin resistance I would encourage anyone to just do the best they can …..
I’m also a bit confused on the Omega-3 part. We take cod liver oil daily. Isn’t that supposed to be good?
Hi Drea, the answer depends on the brand. There are only a few cod liver oil brands that are decent. The best of the bunch is Green Pasture Products which is fermented and not heated.
Another good post. I wonder, though, if Omega 3s are so heat-sensitive, should we only eat raw fish? How is is that studies show a benefit from fish oil, when most of it has apparently been heated?
Not all fish are high in omega 3’s. Those that are are (like salmon) best seared and not cooked to death. Eaten as sushi is probably the best way to go but then you have the risk of parasites potentially (though the risk is small) and so seared might be a good compromise.
Freezing the salmon before eating it raw will take care of parasites
Just some details about freezing fish from fda.gov:
“Freezing and storing at -4°F (-20°C) or below for 7 days (total time), or freezing at -31°F (-35°C) or below until solid and storing at -31°F (-35°C) or below for 15 hours, or freezing at -31°F (-35°C) or below until solid and storing at -4°F (-20°C) or below for 24 hours is sufficient to kill parasites. FDA’s Food Code recommends these freezing conditions to retailers who provide fish intended for raw consumption.”
I’m confused about the Fish Oil supplements one. I’ve read previously on your site that you were giving your son cod liver oil to reverse a cavity. In your recent Vitamin D article (the fish roe one) there was a link to the Weston A Price site and their list of cod liver oil brands by country – which included Green Pastures fermented cod liver oil and Carlson’s capsules if that was not available. Is cod liver oil (liquid or capsules) considered a Fish Oil supplement or are you referring to something else?
Greern Pastures oils are not heat treated. That appears to be the big difference. It’s also quite expensive, though.
In the past I have used Solgar brand fish oil (no burpy fishy aftertaste) and had no problems. It is made in the UK and, to my current knowledge, is no longer available in the US because of gubment regulations. I guess it was good stuff and our leaders don’t want us to know about good stuff! Solgar is a very reputable company and if their fish oil is ever available again, I’ll be using it because I can hardly tolerate cod liver oil. Makes me gag – sorry, it just does. It can be flavored however you wish, but it still burps up as fish – and I HATE fish. I’ve never liked eating fish and I don’t like taking the liver oil or skate oil either. But that’s just me. I know it’s healthy though.
The cod liver oil I use cannot be bought at the healthfood store (Green Pasture Products) and it is fermented ..not industrially processed like all the plain fish oil supplements at the healthfood store.
I buy Carlson’s. I used to buy Nordic Naturals but they molecularly distill it. I feel like Carlson’s is a good option, since it’s not processed much at all. What’s your take on this Sarah? I would like to switch to GP, but have been waiting due to the expense.
Thanks for the clarification!
Ughhh add “organic agave syrup” and “organic expeller Pressed canola oil.”
My mother buys the latter of those two. It’s so weird because she’s such a whole foodie in every other sense but refuses to give up her canola oil because the organic expeller pressed part of the equation and Indian people using rapeseed oil puts her mind at ease. There’s no changing some people’s minds!
I needed to hear this, specifically about the GF products. I have a child recently diagnosed with gluten intolerance and I kept wondering why people (who were normally anti-processed foods) were touting all of the processed foods my child could eat.
All great tips but I must say…. the Omega 3’s have helped my autoimmune and inflammatory issues. If I miss a day, I hurt like you can’t believe. They have changed my life and I do see benefit from them.
Try a non rancid form of omega 3’s like fermented cod liver oil. The fish oils at the healthfood store are all rancid and I am not convinced they have more benefit than harm.
Can you site your sources for this comment please, Sarah?
There are much better options for autoimmune conditions than rancid oil, which accelerates the aging process. Look up “lipid peroxidation”.
“In experiments that last just a few weeks or months, there may not be time for cancers to develop, and on that time scale, the immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory effects of oxidized fish oil might seem beneficial.”
In energy medicine, we seek to restore balance between the Sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and Parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous systems. There are various techniques and technology that work really well. Donna Eden’s book is packed with exercises and routines that make a powerful difference in all types of conditions.
Edgar Cayce frequently said that “mind is the builder, physical is the result”. He recommended the vibrations of carbon steel to harmonize the body’s energy systems, which complements everything else people do for themselves: diet, energy balancing exercises, attitude, etc.
-James
You are so right about the gluten free foods.
When we first went gluten free we would attend gluten free fairs. My husband and I always had “hangovers” after them from all of the sugar and refined flour.
Once I even needed to pull off the road after attending one of these fairs in order to get some whole grains into my body as I was having trouble driving.
People w/ celiac disease or intestinal issues need to build up their digestive systems with healthy foods — not with gluten free processed foods. That being said, there are a few companies trying hard to put out whole grain gluten free products. They deserve to be applauded for their efforts. I prefer to make my own, but at least they are doing their best.
It is misleading and may be damaging to many to tell people that once they get their gut health in order they can let go of being gluten free. They can try, but that won’t work for most of us who have no choice. At the least there should have been a consideration that this will only work if celiac or gluten intolerance is not a medical issue for you. And being a genetic medical issue for many there are severe consequences when eating gluten even in small amounts. Many of us can’t go back!
I agree Cherrri
It is a tad presumptuous to assume people who are gluten intollerant are simply the product of a destitute menu.
As a family we grow our own fruit, veg and herbs, eat only local, pastured ethical meats, dairy and eggs, forrage for local wild foods, including seafoods and sea vegitables and gluten and carbs are off the menu for reasons completely asside from gut function. MTHFR, histadelia and Autism spectrum do not do away with gut health innitiatives as our gut health is now for the long term well cared for.
It would be neglegent when gluten and carbs cause siezures to pretend that if a bout of pro and prebiotics is adhered to all will be well and have breads .. even long ferment sour dough.
The pain of breads and cakes and gluten rich (even home made from the best of intentions is not worth the pretension that if my gut is well I can do this .. I can’t, he cant .. we all cant
Darn! I didn’t know that about organic broths, thanks for the info!
I know .. such a bummer. A lot of the time I spend in the kitchen is making homemade broths, soups, and sauces because you simply can’t buy good ones.
That’s good info. I just looked up the Kroger-brand organic chicken broth, and 1 cup contains no protein, no vitamins, and 570mg of salt. That’s 24% of the daily recommended value. You’d be much better off just drinking water.
How funny! I was just talking about how if “organic maraschino cherries” were made with rice syrup, someone would undoubtedly tout them as “healthy!”
Have a great holiday weekend, everyone!