Top 13 Unhealthy Kitchen Products and Their Healthy Replacements

Introduction

Hello Friends! Welcome to Fit Tuber. In this article, I will share 13 unhealthy kitchen products you should throw away immediately. Most of these products are used daily and pose serious health risks. It’s high time we talk about them, as I can assure you that most of you use at least two of these products daily. We will discuss why these products are harmful and how you can easily switch to healthier alternatives. So without any further delay, let’s get started.

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Harmful Kitchen Products List

Unhealthy Kitchen Products Full Review’s List

1. Unhealthy Kitchen Product: Coffee

Even though studies suggest some health benefits of coffee, there is no denying the fact that it comes with side effects. Coffee hinders the absorption of zinc, robs calcium from bones, may disturb sleep, and the worst of it, makes you dependent on itself. That’s because it contains caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is available, but the commercial process used to decaffeinate coffee involves harmful chemicals like methylene chloride. Moreover, it still isn’t 100% caffeine-free.

Healthier Alternative: Roasted Chicory Powder

Mother Nature is kind, providing us with a plant whose root, when dried, roasted, and ground into a fine powder, tastes almost exactly like coffee but without the caffeine and its side effects. It’s “Roasted Chicory Powder”. The famous filter coffee of South India uses a blend of chicory and coffee beans to enhance its taste, give a thick texture, and improve the overall health quotient. Chicory is a natural prebiotic rich in manganese, potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber. Studies show that chicory improves digestion, controls blood sugar, and helps cut extra fat.

 

 

How to Make Chicory Coffee

• To make chicory coffee, in a pan on low flame,
• Add 100 ml water, 100 ml milk,
• Add about 1/4th teaspoon of chicory powder.
• Once it comes to a boil, turn off the gas,
• Mix in a natural sweetener, and strain to enjoy chicory coffee.

Taste-wise, if roasted chickpeas coffee is a 7 in closeness to coffee, chicory is easily a 9. Even price-wise, where 100g of regular coffee costs 250 rupees, chicory powder costs 150 rupees. Totally worth the switch. While buying, just make sure the product lists only one ingredient: “100% Roasted Chicory Powder.”

2. Unhealthy Kitchen Product: Papad

“Papad” is an inseparable part of a traditional Indian meal as it not only is a natural appetizer but also adds crunch to a meal and makes you feel fuller faster. However, the papads we find in the Indian markets nowadays are not the same. Brands, to save efforts and fill more pockets, add unhealthy ingredients and unwanted additives. For instance, Mother’s Recipe papads come with preservatives. Haldiram’s uses palmolein oil, the worst among refined oils. Bhabhiji Papad and Bikaji Papad even have maida in them. Eating these on a daily basis is like deceiving your body in the name of health.

Healthier Alternative: Lijjat Papads

Switch to Lijjat Papads, which are not only tastier but also comparatively healthier. Their udad papad is made using udad dal flour, salt, papadkhar, pepper, asafoetida, and sesame oil. No preservatives, which is why its shelf life is only three months, much less than its competitors. Although they use regular salt instead of rock salt, among others, it still is a much better choice. Lijjat Papads come in four variants, all equally good to try. So switch to Lijjat Papads and add crunch to your meals, guilt-free.

3. Unhealthy Kitchen Product: Table Sugar

Being devoid of nutrition, a promoter of myriad health problems, and eight times more addictive than cocaine, table sugar is among the worst food products ever created. It’s sad and shocking that it still finds a place in many kitchens. But wait! Not every sugar is the same. Even though the raw material is sugarcane, the difference in processing and the use of sulphur and other chemicals renders table sugar acidic and harmful to health. Jaggery, jaggery powder, and thread mishri are alkaline, full of nutrients, and beneficial for the body.

Healthier Alternative: Desi Khand

Switch to another unrefined, chemical-free, nutritious sugar alternative: our very own traditional “Desi Khand.” Desi Khand, or Khandsari sugar, is manufactured by boiling sugarcane juice, adding okra pulp to filter out impurities, heating further, and using centrifugation to separate raw sugar crystals, which are then sun-dried and packed. This Khand retains a little molasses, giving it an off-white color. When buying Khand, ensure that its color is a bit yellowish to avoid products tampered with harmful chemicals. Use this nutrient-rich, unrefined sweetener guilt-free in making teas, sweets, and whatever else you wish to.1.

4. Unhealthy Kitchen Product: Pressure Cooker

The sound of a pressure cooker is familiar to many Indian kitchens. A French physicist invented the pressure cooker to cook food faster. However, the amount of nutrition left behind is debatable. Today, most people use non-stick coated pressure cookers or those made of aluminum. The toxic fumes of a Teflon-coated non-stick cooker are proven damaging to health, and aluminum is a thyrotoxic metal that gets leached into food, aggravating problems like thyroid issues and hair fall.

Healthier Alternative: Brass or Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

It’s best to get back to traditional ways of cooking in brass, iron, and clay pots, hailed by Ayurveda. However, considering our fast lifestyle, if you can’t do without a pressure cooker, at least change its material. Kick non-stick and aluminum out.

Stainless steel is a better choice, as studies suggest it leaches heavy metals like chromium and nickel, but the amount is minimal.

Brass cookers, on the other hand, are time-tested and 100% safe as long as they are coated with tin. Today, tin-coated brass cookers are easily available and generally require tin coating or Kalai once a year. They are pricey, but considering how long they last, it shouldn’t be an issue. Plus, brass can be sold back to vendors at nearly half the price. I have tried a brass cooker, and it works perfectly well. So, it’s high time we switch to brass cookers or at least stainless steel cookers.

5. Unhealthy Kitchen Products: Bread Spreads

The Problem with Commercial Bread Spreads

Peanut butter, mixed fruit jam, or the good old “Nutella” are common bread spreads, especially for breakfast on a busy day or when we’re feeling lazy to cook. But do you know what goes into making them? Mostly sugar, stabilizers, preservatives, and a few fruits and nuts. A serving of so-called mixed fruit jam has negligible fiber and over three teaspoons of sugar. Even the commonly considered healthy choice, Sundrop peanut butter, contains bad oils. The popular Nutella is a classic combination of sugar and bad oils—not a great start to the day.

Healthier Alternatives to Bread Spreads

Thankfully, there are some brands making genuine fruit jams and nut butters. For example,

• “Pure Sure” organic strawberry jam
• “Orchard Lane’s” pineapple orange jam are prepared from real fruit pulp along with citric acid and fruit pectin. The sugar added is not refined but sulfur-less. You can actually taste the real fruit, which is completely missing in their commercial counterparts.
• Their natural peanut butter by “True Bite,” almond butter
• “Happy Jars,” and cashew butter
• “Butters & More” are the real deal as they contain just one ingredient: the nut itself—no sugar, no oils whatsoever.
• If you’re looking for a replacement for Nutella, try the “Butternut Company” hazelnut chocolate spread, which is prepared using almonds, hazelnuts, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, and sea salt.

There is definitely a price gap, but considering the quality of ingredients used, they are completely worth it. So, throw away those sugar boxes and switch to real spreads to enjoy your food guilt-free.

6. Unhealthy Kitchen Products: Instant Cold Drink Mixes

Why Commercial Instant Drink Mixes Are Harmful

On a hot, hectic day, a glass of water-based flavored drink is what we crave for as it instantly hydrates us and tastes so good. But most commercial flavored drinks have more artificial ingredients than natural ones. They solve one problem but create a new one. Why do we need to compromise on our health when good options are now available in the Indian market?

Natural Alternatives to Instant Drink Mixes

• For instance, “B Naturals” mango powder is prepared 100% from mangoes. If you compare it with commercial “Tang Mango,” it has just 1.6% mango; the rest is plain white sugar and other ingredients you want to avoid.
• “Health Essentials” jal jeera masala is an authentic blend of spices and herbs.
• “Arka” all-natural soft sherbet is prepared using rock sugar (Mishri), fennel seeds, elaichi, pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. Their “Kokum Power” punch is a blend of rock sugar, kokum powder, lemon, jeera, and black salt.

Simply take two tablespoons of the powder and pour 200 ml of water into it, mix, and enjoy. They won’t just provide a great sense of taste but will actually hydrate and cool down your body. Also, they will improve digestion. Even price-wise, they are quite competitive. So, throw away those artificial powders and switch to 100% natural water-based flavored drinks.

7. Packaged Soups: The Issue with Packaged Soups

Soups are low in calories yet filling, making them a great addition to a healthy lifestyle, especially in this chilling weather. However, this is not true for packaged soups. Although they promise to serve you real vegetables and all that good stuff, when you go through their ingredients, you find them full of unhealthy additives. When you taste these instant soups, they don’t taste as good because the real deal is missing.

Easy Homemade Soup Recipe

So, what’s the option? Nothing beats a freshly made soup at home. There is a misconception that making soups at home is difficult. Let me share with you one simple way that I practice, which will hardly take you 10 minutes.

• All you need to do is in a pan, put three glasses of water, add cumin seeds, peppercorns, ginger, turmeric, and rock salt.
• Then put some freshly diced tomatoes, carrots, beans, and potatoes, and add a teaspoon of ghee. That’s all.
• Put the lid on and let it cook on a low flame for about one hour. Yes, you heard that right.
• With slow cooking, the vegetables will give in all their extract, and the soup prepared will be thick without the use of any fillers or mixers.
• After one hour, the quantity of water would have been reduced to less than half, and an amazing aroma will waft from your kitchen.
• Turn off the flame and strain off the vegetables. Top the soup with some fresh coriander leaves if you like and enjoy.

So, say goodbye to those packaged soups and enjoy this economically and deliciously fresh soup. Using the same technique, you can try making soups with different spices and vegetables of your choice.

8. Health Drinks: The Reality of Commercial Health Drinks

A health drink box is an integral part of every Indian kitchen these days. Bournvita, Horlicks, Milo, Complan, Boost—there are many. Regardless of their tall claims, all of them are a mere mix of refined sugar, malt, preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors. In just one serving of Bournvita, you get almost two teaspoons of sugar. This crap doesn’t qualify to be called a health drink, does it?

Nutritious Alternatives to Health Drinks

However, it’s understandable that making a kid drink plain white milk can be quite a task. Traditionally, our grandmothers prepared nutritious homemade “besan shira,” kaiser, or nut-based drinks to flavor and enhance the benefits of milk. But don’t worry. For today’s fast and busy lifestyle, there are some brands that are trying to recreate genuine milk-based health drinks.For example,

• “Suron” energy booster drink is prepared from ashwagandha, nuts, seeds, and desi khand.
• “The Great Banyan” choco malt is a multigrain mix along with jaggery powder, cocoa powder, and nuts. Similarly,
• “Isha Life” Sanjeevni instant health drink is a multigrain mix without any artificial flavors or preservatives. It is quite budget-friendly as well.

These are the products that can actually deliver what these commercial powders promise. So, it’s high time we replace these so-called health drink boxes with the real deal.

9. Popcorn: The Hidden Dangers in Act 2 Popcorn

Popcorn is a go-to choice for people to munch on. Being light, crunchy, and so tasty, they add flavor to almost any movie, don’t they? However, the popular “Act 2 Popcorn” is not only heavy on calories but also has a list of unhealthy ingredients like refined salt and palm oil—a tasty recipe to put on extra fat.

A Simple Homemade Popcorn Recipe

Let me share with you a simple recipe that results in tasty popcorn every single time. First things first, you must be careful in choosing the popcorn kernels, else they won’t pop properly. They should be small and oval in size rather than large ones.

• Simply put desi ghee, a generous amount of turmeric powder, and rock salt to taste in a pan.
• Now add the popcorn kernels and mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
• Then just cover with a lid or plate and keep it on a low flame.
• The popcorn will start popping instantly, and once you feel a gap of about two seconds between pops, be sure that your popcorn is almost done.
• Turn off the gas, and you can see how well this golden and crunchy popcorn has turned out to be.

Believe me, they are so tasty and such a crunchy snack to enjoy at the comfort of your home. So now you know what to do with “Act 2 Popcorn.”

10. Table Salt: The Refining Process

Actually, you might think table salt is just made by evaporation of seawater, so what is wrong with that? Well, it’s just half the story. Later, it goes through a series of refining processes through which it is made free-flowing using aluminum-based anti-caking agents, bleached to look cleaner, whiter, more beautiful, and have an increased shelf life.

Health Hazards of Refined Salt

All this comes at the expense of natural minerals that came from the sea, and not to forget the added chemicals that come along. It is this refined salt that our body finds hard to absorb, which then becomes an enabler in problems like high blood pressure, water retention, and hypertension.

The Iodine Myth

Well, it has been heavily marketed for being iodized. Of course, iodine has vital functions to perform in the body, but then we Indians can easily get the daily dose of iodine naturally through lentils, pulses, green vegetables, and dairy products. It’s worth noting that the potassium iodate is industrially added in the salt and might even have side effects.

Healthier Alternatives: Rock Salt and Black Salt

So why get into the fuss when we can easily replace it with the time-tested and ayurvedically loaded rock salt and black salt?

Rock salt, or Sendha Namak as it is commonly called, is 100% natural, unrefined, and not free-flowing. It comes in two varieties: white and pink. Both are naturally occurring and healthy. It not only tastes salty, but it also naturally has iodine in the right proportion along with 83 other micronutrients such as potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Unlike the inflammatory refined salt, rock salt keeps the body cool.

It is a digestive, aphrodisiac, and beneficial for the eyes. Since it is naturally pure and full of health benefits, it is the choice of salt used for religious fasting. Black salt is another healthy salt, naturally mined, which has over 60 micronutrients. Since it is heating for the body, it is better suited for adding in curds and salads, balancing their cooling nature. So, it is time we throw the refined, so-called iodized salt away and switch to rock salt and black salt. Compared to refined salt, natural salts are a bit expensive, but then it’s worth your precious health.

11. Pickles: Benefits of Traditional Pickles

Pickle is something our Indian mothers are experts at. Without any preservatives or refrigeration, they prepare it in such a way that it stays well for years at a stretch. Well, you need not bother your mother too much, as I could find out some options in the Indian market that make pickles in the traditional style. A little pickle with a healthy meal is like icing on the cake. Rich in probiotics, it ignites a digestive fire and enhances the taste of the overall meal.

The Problem with Commercial Pickles

When buying a pickle, don’t forget to check the ingredients. Otherwise, forget the benefits; they can actually make you sick. That’s because most commercial pickles available in the Indian market have more unhealthy additives than the pickle itself.

• For instance, “Mother’s Recipe” Rajasthani Sweet Lime Pickle has 53% refined sugar, refined cottonseed oil, along with synthetic ingredients, surely polluting the name of traditional Indian mothers.
• “Chokhi Dhani” Mixed Pickle and “Top Gold” Chili Pickle have preservatives, not the traditional way either.
• “Ella Spices” who seem promising from their front label with catchy phrases like cold-pressed sesame oil, cryogenic spices, patented low sodium salt, but when you turn the pack, you notice how smartly they have tried to keep the list of preservatives at the bottom.

Authentic Organic Pickle Options

• For example, “Two Brothers” Oil-Free Lemon Pickle is handmade with lemons, unrefined sugar, Himalayan rock salt, fenugreek seeds, turmeric powder, chili powder, and asafoetida. Similarly,
• “Nature Land Organics” Lemon Pickle is also authentically made using rock salt and whole spices. Their green chili pickle is another healthy recipe without the use of refined oil, sugar, or salt.
• “Neelam Foodland” Homemade Oil-Free Mango Pickle is prepared using mustard seeds, rock salt, and other whole spices. Similarly,
• “Global Village Cafe” Mango Pickle is genuinely made in mustard oil with sea salt and spices. However, the same brand’s other variants like sour lemon and sour mango pickle come without the list of ingredients, so I would not recommend buying them.

Conclusion on Pickles: Focus on Ingredients, Not Brands

Better are the commercial brands who at least are not misleading, but not so good that they find a place in your kitchen. Throw them away and switch to healthy, authentic pickles for a tasty, healthy meal. Even price-wise, they are fairly competitive.

12. Harmful Kitchen Products: Mozzarella Cheese

Issues with Commercial Mozzarella Cheese

For those days when you feel like having something special, something like a pizza, even if you prepare it healthy at home, you can’t miss adding cheese, can you? But the commercial mozzarella cheese is not only made using A1 milk but has way too many preservatives and additives, a sure short way to disturb your digestive system and gain weight.

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Recipe

So, what should we do? Eat a pizza without cheese? Of course not! You will be amazed to know how easily you can make mozzarella cheese at home in just 30 minutes.

• All you need is milk (prefer buffalo milk or use full-fat A2 milk) and natural vinegar.
• On a low flame, place a pan and in it put about one liter of milk.
• Stir it continuously so that it is evenly heated.
• Once the milk is hot enough to touch, first turn off the flame.
• Slowly add vinegar, mixing it with the other hand.
• It might take some time, but ultimately you will notice that the milk starts to curdle.
• Once the greenish whey is separated, scoop out the cheese and foremost rinse it with normal water and press it properly to remove the excess water.
• Heat up some water and add salt in it. Once the water is hot enough, put the cheese in it for a minute but keep moving it so that it doesn’t stick at the bottom.
• Take it out and using your hands remove the water and try to stretch it as much as possible. Put in hot water again, again scoop out and stretch. Do this two to three times.
• Finally, place the cheese in icy cold water. Let it sit for a minute in cold water. Remove the excess water, cover it tightly in a muslin cloth, and place it in a refrigerator for about an hour.

Voila! It’s ready to use. Grate it over a pizza and see the magic. Tastes good too, a much healthier version of the commercial mozzarella cheese. You can enjoy pizza more guilt-free, that too at a similar price.

13. Harmful Kitchen Products: Vinegar

Importance of Vinegar in the Kitchen

A kitchen is incomplete without vinegar, be it for pickling, baking, marination, or just drizzling it over salads. Vinegar is useful. However, did you know that most of us use synthetic vinegar, which is industrially prepared by reacting methanol and carbon monoxide? No doubt it also produces acetic acid, but it is a fast one-step process and not a traditional method where the vinegar is made using a slow fermentation process using grains or fruits like apple or grapes into acetic acid. The vinegar thus formed through a slow process ranging more than a month is rich in probiotics, B vitamins, and many other trace minerals.

Healthier Alternatives: Naturally Fermented Organic Vinegars

That’s why it’s time we switch to nutrition-packed, naturally fermented vinegars like apple cider vinegar, sugar cane vinegar, and coconut vinegar. For example,

• “Ogreeny” Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother is prepared using organic apples and is raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized.
• “Nature Land Organics” Sugar Cane Vinegar is certified organic vinegar prepared from the fermentation of natural sugars in sugarcane.
• “Amzul” Coconut Vinegar is prepared from coconut water. You can use these natural vinegars in the same way as you were using synthetic vinegar. These are the vinegars that will not just add flavor to your food but will also add health benefits.

Conclusion on Vinegar

Where 600 ml of synthetic vinegar will cost you just ₹50, natural vinegars are pricey, but that’s because of their authentic origin and the elaborate process involved. Making vinegar at home is easy but requires patience and effort. So throw that bottle of synthetic vinegar in the dustbin. Wait, don’t throw it. Rather use it to clean the hard water build-up off pots and pans, sinks, and surfaces. But for culinary purposes, stick to naturally brewed vinegars.

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Conclusion

These were the four unhealthy kitchen products that I firmly believe you should throw away immediately. Switch to safer, healthier alternatives that you can easily find offline. Although for your convenience, I have linked them in the affiliate table box as well. I want to confirm that whatever I have written in this article is my honest opinion. No brand has paid me, nor am I with or against any brand. I am just like you, a consumer looking to buy safe products for myself and my family.