In a world filled with conflicting health advice, it can be difficult to know what to eat for a healthy heart. Many times, the ‘healthy food’ we are advertised and eat are actually not good for your health! Misleading names and not reading labels properly can lead to people consuming food that is hurting their heart. Explaining the same, Cardiologist Sanjay Bhojraj MD. His list sheds light on common misconceptions and offers a clear path toward making better dietary choices for your cardiovascular health. How Our Food Affect Heart Health? According to the National Health Services UK eating an unhealthy diet that's high in fat can make atherosclerosis worse. This condition, also known as hardening of the arteries, happens when fatty plaques build up inside your arteries. Consistently eating high-fat foods, which contain an unhealthy type of cholesterol, leads to more of this plaque buildup. This narrows your arteries and significantly increases your risk of having a heart attack. Eating a healthy diet is a keyway to lower your risk of heart disease. Your food choices, along with a healthy lifestyle, can help you avoid a range of serious health problems. Here is a list of foods you should avoid buying according to Dr Sanjay. Agave Syrup While often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, agave syrup can quickly raise your triglyceride levels. This can be harmful to your heart and may increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, making it a poor choice for those with inflamed arteries. Coconut Oil When consumed in large amounts, coconut oil contains high levels of saturated fat. This can contribute to inflammation in your arteries, making it an unhealthy choice for heart health despite its popular reputation. Store-Bought Granola Many store-bought granolas are highly processed and packed with hidden sugars. Despite their appearance as a health food, these products can lead to blood sugar spikes and are often high in calories and unhealthy additives, which can negatively impact your health. "Whole Wheat" Bread Most "whole wheat" breads you find in stores are not as healthy as they seem. They are often ultra-processed white bread with added brown coloring and little nutritional fiber, so they don't provide the benefits of true whole grains. Flavored Greek Yogurt While Greek yogurt is known for its protein content, the flavored versions often have a surprising amount of added sugar. This sugar can cancel out the health benefits and contribute to weight gain, making it important to check the nutrition label. Plant-Based Meat Substitutes Many plant-based meat substitutes are full of unhealthy ingredients. They can be high in seed oils, sodium, and other additives that are not good for your health, despite being marketed as a healthier alternative to meat. Rice Cakes Rice cakes are high on the glycemic index and provide very few nutrients. Eating them can cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash, creating a "rollercoaster" effect that can lead to cravings and fatigue. Bottled Green Juices Beware of bottled green juices, which can be loaded with fructose. They often seem like a convenient and healthy choice, but many are little more than sugar bombs that provide a quick sugar rush without the fiber and nutrients of real vegetables. Flavored Sparkling Water Many flavored sparkling waters with "natural flavors" can contain synthetic chemicals and acids. These additives may erode your gut lining over time, despite the water's lack of calories, making them a less-than-ideal beverage choice. Gluten-Free Processed Snacks Gluten-free processed snacks are often marketed with a health halo, but they are just as likely to cause inflammation as their gluten-containing counterparts. These snacks often contain refined starches and sugar and are just as unhealthy, with better branding.