Cardiologist warns: These 5 everyday 'healthy' foods are secretly harming your heart

Think you’re eating healthy, but your body secretly disagrees? Cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj took to Instagram to reveal five “healthy” foods that might actually be quietly sabotaging your heart, metabolism, and brain. From seed oils to protein bars, these everyday items can trigger inflammation, confuse your insulin, or bloat your gut. The good news? Swapping them out for real, simple foods—like olive oil, berries, or roasted chickpeas—can keep your body happy without feeling like a diet punishment.

Seed Oils

Seed oils such as canola, soybean, and corn may seem harmless, but once refined and heated, they oxidise and create invisible inflammation in arteries and cells. Dr Bhojraj replaced them years ago with olive oil, avocado oil, beef tallow, and grass-fed ghee—a switch that supports heart and metabolic health.

Zero sugar products

“Diet” or zero-sugar products may seem smart, but artificial sweeteners trick the brain and gut into expecting sugar, leading to cravings and insulin confusion. Real fruit, dates, or a touch of raw honey are far gentler on the body and satisfy the sweet tooth naturally.

Flavoured yogurts
Flavoured yoghurts often pack more sugar than a dessert. A simple swap—plain Greek yoghurt with fresh berries and a sprinkle of cinnamon—delivers taste and nutrition without the hidden sugar spike.

Protein bars

Many are disguised candy bars loaded with inflammatory oils and syrups. A handful of nuts or a boiled egg does the job better.


Vegetable Chips

Even “vegetable” chips can mislead—fried in inflammatory oils, they hurt more than help. Baking sweet potato slices or roasting chickpeas at home provides the crunch without the hidden damage.

For Dr Bhojraj, eating this way isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness. Understanding how food signals your biology makes healthy choices effortless and, surprisingly, delicious.