​10 'healthy' foods that can clog your arteries without you realizing

The adage ‘Health is wealth’ is now more significant than ever. Starting from the lifestyle to the environment we live in is making us sicker minute by minute. Naturally, we are looking for ways to improve our health, and diet is a crucial part of it. But, here’s a surprising truth: most foods we assume are healthy really aren’t. Many foods labeled and advertised as ‘nutritious’ could be contributing to arterial plaque buildup, which is linked to cardiovascular diseases. Here are 10 ‘healthy’ foods that can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.

Surprised? Well, don’t be. Though granola bars are often marketed as energy boosters and healthy food because of the oats and nuts they contain, there is more than what meets the eye. Most contain excessive added sugars and palm oil, which drive up triglycerides and inflammation that stiffen arteries. Instead, grab a handful of nuts.

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Yogurt is great for your gut, but once it’s dressed up in strawberry, mango, or vanilla flavors, it turns into a sugar trap. One small cup can carry as much sugar as a mithai. The irony? We eat it thinking it’s a healthy choice. The real hack is to stick with plain dahi and add real fruits on top.

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Do you look for the ‘healthy’ muffins? Yes, the bran varieties. They are marketed as fiber-rich versions for your ‘healthy’ indulgence; however, in reality, they are loaded with refined sugars and oils. It has the same artery-clogging effects as doughnuts. Yes, that’s right. So, instead of baking your own muffins with minimal sweeteners, if you are really looking for a ‘healthy’ addition.

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This is the part where even the wisest healthy eaters go wrong. Fruit juices, in general, are loaded with sugar, and the ones you think are healthy are not really helpful. Even 100% juice has concentrated sugars without fiber, which can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, causing plaque. Skip the juice, and instead grab whole fruits.

Coconut oil is often assumed to be healthy. But guess what? Though it may offer some metabolic benefits, coconut oil's 90% saturated fat content rivals butter in raising LDL cholesterol. Plaque would follow soon enough. Instead, switch to olive oil as it has monounsaturated fats, but be careful about how much you consume as it is calorie-dense.

It is so tempting to grab a diet soda, thinking the zero-calorie drink does not harm your health. But the calorie-free artificial sweeteners disrupt gut proteins linked to obesity and diabetes, and in turn affect the arteries. Go for simple teas without sugar or milk instead.

Yes, it is convenient. But remember, canned soup will never give you the same nutritional effect or health benefits. Why? Because they have high sodium levels, which have a severe impact on blood pressure, and accelerate vessel narrowing. If you want to have soup, make it at home.

Obsessed with skimmed milk? Well, the low-fat part may be really tempting if you are counting calories, but it still contains saturated fats that dairy has, which affect your arteries. Plant milks like almond or soy are better, as they have unsaturated fats.

Breads, especially the white varieties, are a breakfast staple. But this refined white bread lacks fiber and spikes glucose. Over time, this will contribute to fatty deposits.

Think margarine is better than butter? Think again. Because many margarines you buy contain palm oil. The saturated fats in it can raise cholesterol just like full-fat spreads. Instead, opt for olive oil-based spreads.

Often marketed as a post-workout or healthy snack, many packaged protein bars contain hidden sugars, hydrogenated oils, and preservatives. While they seem like a convenient way to boost protein intake, the added sugars and saturated fats can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries over time. Instead of pre-packaged bars, opt for natural protein sources like boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, or homemade nut and seed bars with minimal sweeteners. This ensures you get the protein benefits without the unwanted effects on heart health.