Cardiologist with over 20 years experience reveals common foods he would avoid at all costs

Most people are aware that fast food and high-sugar items aren't that good for you, but one cardiologist has warned against things like protein bars and 'zero sugar' drinks, urging people to avoid them at all costs.

These snacks – especially those marketed as having high-protein benefits – have dramatically grown in popularity over the last few years as people look to up their intake through 'healthier' streams.

While the delivery of added protein is undeniable, it would be remiss to ignore the risks you are also incurring to your health beyond this — and the same is true for a number of other snacks and drinks that are viewed as better alternatives.

As shared on Instagram, new advice from interventional cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, founder of the Laguna Institute of Functional Medicine with over 20 years of experience, has suggested that people should avoid certain popular foods at all costs, as they could cause damage to your health over the course of your life.

What foods does Dr Bhojraj suggest avoiding?

Sharing his advice in a post on Instagram, Dr Bhojraj indicates that you should avoid these five food types for a healthier life, as they negatively impact your heart, metabolism, and brain.

• Seed oils
• 'Diet' or 'zero sugar' products
• Flavored yoghurts
• Protein bars
• 'Vegetable' chips

Seed oils

Seed oils are commonly advised against in health-based communities, but Dr Bhojraj agrees that they can cause damage through invisible inflammation to your arteries and cells.

Instead of opting for things like canola, soybean, and corn oils, you should instead reach for olive oil, avocado oil, beef tallow, and grass-fed ghee — they might be more expensive but it's far better for your health.

Diet fizzy drinks

On top of this, it's easy to be fooled into thinking that 'diet' and 'zero sugar' versions of drinks like Coke are healthy, but that couldn't be further from the truth. These contain artificial sweeteners, tricking your body's insulin response and making you crave more as a result.

Flavored yoghurts

Yoghurt is also another major potential red flag, as while some have used it as the secret to incredible old age, opting for flavored versions means that you're consuming more sugar than you would from a desert.

Instead, opt for plain Greek yoghurt with fresh berries for the sweet touch, and you'll be given a far healthier – and often far nicer – alternative.

Protein bars

Protein bars are a big one – especially for people going to the gym a lot – as while they might seem like they're doing your body a favor, Dr Bhojraj claims that they're little more than candy bars in disguise.

He indicates that they're loaded with seed oils and syrups that bloat your gut, and that opting instead for nuts or a boiled egg gives you the same benefits while removing many, if not all, of the downsides.

Vegetable chips

Last but certainly not least are vegetable chips, and it's equally as easy to be duped into thinking these are far healthier alternatives to regular chips, yet they are largely the same.

"They sound clean, but they're fried in the same inflammatory oils you're trying to avoid," the cardiologist explains. "If I want a crunch, I'll bake sweet potato slices or roast chickpeas at home."

That's not to say that you can't ever have any of these items, only that you should attempt to decrease your consumption considerably and seek out alternatives to fulfil your cravings in a healthier way.