10 foods a cardiologist avoids after 20 years treating heart disease

From coconut oil to wheat bread, these everyday foods may not be as heart-healthy as you think, says US-based cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, who reveals his 'never-buy' list

Have you ever reached for ‘healthy’ foods like coconut oil or whole wheat bread, believing you’re making heart-smart choices? Well, you might be unknowingly risking your heart’s health. After treating heart diseases for 20 years, California-based Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, cardiologist and director of Cardiovascular Precision Medicine has shared 10 foods he would never buy.

 

“These might shock you… especially #6,” he wrote in his post on Instagram. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sanjay Bhojraj MD | Functional Medicine Doctor (@doctorsanjaymd)

 

Some ‘healthy’ foods actually bad for your heart

According to Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, many foods that seem heart-healthy can actually spike inflammation, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels, all harmful for your heart. He warns that attractive labels and ‘natural’ tags can easily mislead us into thinking we’re making the right choices. “I’ve seen this play out with hundreds of patients,” he said.

 

10 foods to avoid as recommended by Dr Bhojraj

1. Agave syrup  Agave syrup is often marketed as a better sugar substitute, but Dr Bhojraj pointed out that it rapidly raises triglyceride levels, the most common type of fat in your body. Elevated triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease, despite the ‘healthy’ reputation agave enjoys.

2. Coconut oil  Surprisingly, coconut oil is on the cardiologist’s ‘never-buy’ list. Though trendy for its supposed health benefits, coconut oil is high in saturated fats that can inflame arteries and worsen heart conditions, especially when consumed in large amounts.

3. Store-bought granola

Dr Bhojraj cautions that most store-bought granola is ultra-processed and loaded with hidden sugars, making it far from the nutritious snack many believe it to be.

4. Whole wheat bread

Not all whole wheat bread is created equal. Dr Bhojraj said many are just brown-coloured white bread loaded with additives. They lack real nutritional value and can cause unnecessary blood sugar spikes.

5. Flavoured Greek yoghurt

While Greek yoghurt is high in protein, the flavoured versions can pack in large amounts of hidden sugars. According to Dr Bhojraj, these sugars can silently contribute to inflammation and heart risk.

6. Plant-based meat substitutes

Plant-based doesn’t always mean heart-healthy. Dr Bhojraj warned that many meat substitutes are full of inflammatory seed oils, sodium, and synthetic additives that can harm your body in the long run.

7. Rice cakes

Rice cakes might seem like a light snack, but they are high glycemic and low in nutrients, which can cause quick blood sugar spikes and crashes, a “blood sugar rollercoaster” that’s bad for heart health.

8. Bottled green juices

Don’t be fooled by their green colour. The cardiologist said bottled green juices are often “fructose bombs in disguise”, loaded with sugars that can silently damage your cardiovascular system.

9. Flavoured sparkling waters

Be cautious of sparkling waters that boast “natural flavours”. The cardiologist claims they often contain synthetic chemicals and acids that can erode the gut lining, which can indirectly impact heart health.

10. Gluten-free processed snacks

Dr Bhojraj said gluten-free processed snacks may have clever marketing, but they can still be highly inflammatory, offering little to no heart health benefits.

How can you make heart-smart food choices?

The key is to look beyond the labels. Just because something says ‘natural’, ‘whole’, or ‘plant-based’ doesn’t mean it’s automatically good for you. Dr Bhojraj advised avoiding ultra-processed foods, watching out for hidden sugars, and not blindly trusting health claims. It’s all about reading ingredients and being mindful of what truly supports heart health.  For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.