10 Awful Ingredients Everyone Still Uses—But Shouldn’t!

With a cup of this and splash of that, you can transform a seemingly-healthy dish into one that will make the number on the scale soar.

We'll admit it: Making your own meals is a well-intentioned effort that many people don't get enough credit for doing. Whether you have a crazy-busy schedule or would rather just squeeze in a workout that slave in a kitchen, cooking isn't always the most alluring thing ever. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other people who are happiest in the kitchen, refining their favorite dishes and turning to their must-have ingredients several times a week. What do both of these people have in common? They're probably still using some food items that undo their good efforts—and wind up hurting their waistlines.

Take a look at the list below of common ingredients that a lot of people still use—and cross-check the line-up with which items you plan to reach for the next time you step into your kitchen.

1. Cheap Vegetable Oils

Cheap oils like soybean, corn oil, and cottonseed oil are highly processed, contain high amounts of pro-inflammatory omega-6 saturated fats, and offer very little heart-healthy omega-3s. Instead of using these fats in your cooking, switch to avocado or coconut oil, which have both been shown to aid weight loss. Both oils have high smoke points, too, so they're great options for pan-frying.

2. Cream of Something Soup

It’s amazing how many nutritious, promising dishes get ruined once someone decides to throw it all in a casserole dish and then drench it in a canned cream-of-chicken/mushroom/whatever. Vegetable oil, MSG, and more than 1,600 milligrams of sodium per cup—nope, not appetizing. If you’ve gotta use an ingredient like this, at least opt for an organic variety, like Amy’s Kitchen.

3. Margarine

"Some margarine tubs contain heart-harming trans fats and are made with processed oils that may be pro-inflammatory,” says Isabel Smith, MS RD CDN, founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition. Inflammation has been directly tied to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Switch to grass-fed butter or pick up a product like Earth Balance that contains a mix of less processed oils.

4. Heavy Cream

As much as we are telling you to avoid trusting all non- and low-fat foods, we’re not about to give a green light to something like heavy cream. Loaded with calories—about 50 per tablespoon or 800 per cup—heavy cream is basically a ticket on the fastest, non-stop train to Fatville.

5. Food Coloring

"Artificial food dyes, which many people use to color baked goods, are cause for concern and may have serious side effects—especially in children,” says Jay Cardiello, diet expert and personal trainer to the stars. “Red 40, for example, may contain cancer-causing contaminants, despite the fact that it's approved by the FDA. The dye may also be a potential trigger to hyperactivity in children. Instead, color your dishes with natural sources of color like beet juice, red cabbage or paprika."

6. Fatty Ground Beef

Studies show that eating the right cuts of steak can help whittle your middle. But fatty cuts can have the opposite effect. In fact, they’ve been positively associated with belly fat and larger waist circumference in lab studies. Use 80% lean beef or better to keep your metabolism stoked and your heart healthy.

7. Artificial Sweeteners

"Although they don't contribute calories, artificial sweeteners are up to 700 times sweeter than natural sugar—and often leave you craving more sweets later in the day,” says Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD. If you're trying to cut calories from your baked goods, swap out sugar for unsweetened applesauce instead. 

8. Bleached Flour

Cardiello warns everyone to watch out for all-purpose flour that's been bleached. “Although it may give your food a nicer color and help you to create baked goods that are more soft and tender, the bleach chemicals may be harmful to your health."

9. White Rice

Not only is white rice one of the worst carbs ever, it’s too-easily substituted to be tolerated! Barley, quinoa, and brown rice are all better bets for your waistline and are just as delicious—but more satisfying—with your culinary concoctions.

10. Fat-Free Dairy Products

"Although I'm a fan of fat-free milk, other fat-free dairy products like cheese, cream cheese, and cottage cheese are a no-go in my kitchen,” reports Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND. “Many people find the texture, taste and mouthfeel of these products to be less satisfying, which either turns them off from the dish altogether or spurs cravings for seconds and thirds as they search for satisfaction."