The American Heart Association has released guidelines, stating what many people already know: The more ultra-processed foods you eat, the higher your risk is of having serious health issues.

The guidelines, based on research published in the AHA's Circulation journal, say that cutting back on these foods reduces a person's risk of having a heart attack, a stroke, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Doctors say the best thing to do is to stop eating ultra processed foods that are considered the most harmful and consume food made from fresh ingredients.

They do warn that's not as simple as it seems.

"It's way too easy right now to choose a snack that's made from processed ingredients that have more fat, sugar, more salt in it than something you might make on your own," says Dr. Katie Takayasu.

Takayasu says for people to have long term health success, they need to eat food that will help fuel their bodies. Other tips include reading the labels on packaged foods and preparing meals at home as much as possible.