13 Things We Once Believed Were Healthy — But Definitely Aren’t
These once-touted health trends turned out to be anything but good for us.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Health advice has come a long way — and not always for the better. Decades ago, we trusted diet fads, miracle products, and old-school remedies that today sound absurd or even dangerous. Here are 13 things we genuinely thought were healthy, but modern science says otherwise.
1. Margarine – The “Heart-Healthy” Butter Swap
Mr.jackal1880 on Wikimedia Commons
Once marketed as a cholesterol-friendly alternative to butter, margarine was loaded with trans fats. These artificial fats actually raised bad cholesterol and increased heart disease risk.
2. Low-Fat Everything – Fat-Free, Flavor-Free, Health-Free
Shannon VanDenHeuvel on Unsplash
The ‘90s brought a boom in low-fat cookies, yogurts, and snacks. The problem? Fat was replaced with sugar and additives, leading to spikes in obesity and diabetes.
3. Diet Soda – Calorie-Free but Not Risk-Free
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Marketed as a guiltless alternative, diet soda seemed like a smart switch from regular soda. However, artificial sweeteners have been linked to metabolic issues and increased cravings.
4. Tanning Beds – The “Safe” Sun Option
Janneman on Wikimedia Commons
For years, tanning beds were marketed as a controlled way to achieve a bronzed glow. In reality, they exposed users to concentrated UV rays that significantly increased their risk of skin cancer.
5. White Bread – The “Enriched” Staple
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White bread was a pantry must-have, fortified with vitamins and labeled as “enriched.” However, it’s stripped of fiber and digested like sugar, spiking blood glucose.
6. Juicing Cleanses – Nutrient Drain Disguised as Detox
Ted Eytan on Flickr
Juice cleanses promised to flush toxins and reset your body, but they often lacked essential nutrients. High in sugar and low in fiber and protein, they left people dizzy and hungry.
7. Smoking for Weight Loss – Thin but Deadly
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It sounds insane now, but cigarettes were once promoted as a way to curb appetite. Ads even featured doctors suggesting them for “slimming.”
8. Snack Packs – Portion-Controlled Junk
David Woo on Flickr
Mini versions of cookies and chips were sold as diet-friendly options. However, processed junk is still junk, no matter the portion size.
9. Tapeworm Diets – Horror in a Pill
Louis Shackleton on Flickr
Yes, there was a time when people ingested tapeworms to lose weight. These parasites consumed food inside your body — along with your health. The method caused serious illness and even death.
10. Canola Oil – The “Healthy” Oil with a Catch
Philipp Michel Reichold on Wikimedia Commons
Touted as heart-healthy due to its low saturated fat, canola oil was used everywhere. However, most versions are heavily processed and refined, stripping away nutrients.
11. Vitamin-Fortified Cereal – Sugar-Coated Deception
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Bright boxes promised essential vitamins and minerals, but the cereals were often sugar bombs. Just because it had a few added nutrients didn’t make it good for breakfast.
12. Detox Teas – Laxatives in Disguise
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Celebrity-endorsed and Instagram-famous, detox teas were nothing more than herbal laxatives. They led to dehydration, stomach issues, and short-term weight loss that came back fast.
13. Processed Soy Products – Too Much of a “Good” Thing
divinemisscopa on Wikimedia Commons
Soy was hailed as a miracle food — high in protein and low in fat. However, processed soy products like soy burgers, bars, and powders often contain additives and undergo heavy industrial processing.