Some foods are very obviously bad for you, and some may be surprising. When it comes to putting you at a potential risk for cancer, these foods are top of that list.

Soda: Diet or regular these beverages are just not good for you, and they most definitely make the list for those that may pose a cancer risk. If you look at regular soda, there is a lot of sugar and additives that can pose a cancer risk. If you look at diet soda, the additives and sugar substitutes that replace the real stuff can be a big risk. The bottom line is this—soda just isn’t good for you and can be a huge risk when it comes to cancer in your future. If you must drink soda, keep it to a minimum. However it’s best to do your part to avoid soda altogether, and perhaps try drinking water instead.

Charred Foods: Who doesn’t love a good barbeque? Many of us spend our summer nights firing up the grill, and it seems like a pretty healthy way to eat. The truth is that a bit of grilling here and there isn’t what causes the problem. It’s when you eat a bunch of charred food over a prolonged period of time that you can put yourself at risk for cancer. When you throw food on the grill, it has the potential to get charred just by virtue of the manner in which you are cooking it. When you char foods, you add in carcinogens in this substance and this is what can lead to cancer. Do your best to keep the food from getting charred, and perhaps consider cutting back on your grilling a bit.

French Fries: It’s not just French fries, but all fried foods that use transfat in their cooking and makeup. French fries are one example, but any sort of fried foods that use transfat in any way, shape, or form can contribute to a very real cancer risk. Though many restaurants have recently cut back on their use of transfats, they do still exist out there. Be sure to read labels carefully as some of your favorite snack foods may even contain these toxic fats. When in doubt, avoid fried foods to ensure that you don’t put yourself at risk with any sort of cancer causing transfats.

Sausage: Though sausage is one really good example, the list goes on and on within this particular food group. Any sort of meat that is smoked, heavily salted, or even pickled can pose a big risk for cancer in your future. They can put you at risk for high cholesterol and even high blood pressure, but these diet busters can put you at a very real and very scary risk for stomach cancer. So it’s best to avoid them whenever you can, and look to replace these salty and smoked meats with healthier options.

Farmed Fish: We automatically assume that all fish is good for us. Though fish is an important staple in the diet, it can become risky if not consumed properly. When you look at farmed fish, they tend to contain high levels of toxins in them such as PCB’s. Over time, when you consume this it builds up within your system and contributes to a very high risk of cancer. If you want to avoid that risk, then be very mindful of where the fish you eat comes from. This is the only surefire way to avoid a cancer risk from a food that’s supposed to be good for you.

We try to eat all the right foods, but sometimes there are a few that slip through the cracks. If you want to do your part to avoid cancer, then avoid these foods at all costs.

Mary M. Frederick writes about how to get a master of health education degree.