There are foods you should avoid for weight loss, such as those that are processed and refined. This is because they tend to make yougain weight.
When trying to shed that weight, a lot is involved. You might need to get rid of certain habits and stop some practices. Also, there are some foods you should avoid eating if you want to achieve success in your journey. Remember, the food you eat has a huge impact on your weight. Therefore, you should keep off those that hold you back. To help you stay informed, we have a list of 8 foods you can stay away from for as long as you are headed towards achieving your weight loss goal. Keep reading to discover.
French Fries
French fries contain a lot of calories and salt. Moreover, a lot of unhealthy fats are used when they are being dried. Do you love the crispy texture of restaurant French fries? Well, it is time you stopped taking them because they are high in calories and fats. Moreover, they won’t keep you full for a long time and will neither give you proteins nor the fiber you need.
So, does this mean you say no to going out? Not exactly. You can enjoy your time out, and when at the restaurant, you can order healthier alternatives like salads or fresh fruits. Achieving that weight loss goal doesn’t mean you have to say no to any side dish offered.
White Bread and Pasta
In most cases, people use refined wheat flour in making white bread and pasta. Therefore, the two are very high in carbs and calories. On the other hand, the amount of protein, fiber, and nutrients in these types of foods is very low.
Therefore, what should you do? Consider whole grainalternatives which are more nutritious and dense in fiber content. They are also healthier and leave you feeling fuller for longer. So, the next time you are out shopping, check out what is written on the bread and pasta labels. The main ingredient you should be on the lookout for is whole grain flour.
White Rice
Are you wondering why you should avoid white rice if for to achieve your weight loss target? This food is not only low in fat but also has less protein and fiber content. Moreover, its glycemic index is also very high. According to one study conducted on female adolescents, white rice was a major source of obesity.
Therefore, as an alternative, you can stick to consuming whole grain or brown rice. If you haven’t given it a thought yet, it is time you incorporated it into your diet. It is healthier and denser in dietary fiber. What’s more, it helps keep you full for longer.
Sugary Beverages
A list of unhealthy foods is incomplete without sugary drinks such as soda. When you consume too much of these sugar-sweetened beverages, you consume many calories, likely to gain more weight. Also, they do not give you the feeling of being full; hence, you will keep consuming more calories.
Therefore, if the dream of losing weight is real to you, then avoid sugary drinks as much as possible.
Processed Meat
Manufacturers process meat in different ways. They can have it dried, fermented, smoked, or even canned. The various products in this category range from bacon, hot dog to ham. Therefore, if you are on a weight loss journey, you can avoid these. Why?
This is because these processed meat products contain a lot of salt and contain low amounts of nutrients. Moreover, they are calorie-packed. So, what should you take instead? Why not consider including leaner meat into your diet? Poultry, beans, and fish are healthier alternatives you can try.
Baked Products
If you love baked foods such as cakes, cookies, and pastries, you increase the amount of added sugar you consume. An example of an added sugar contained in baked products is fructose, making you feel hungry faster.
Nonetheless, these foods also contain trans fats, which may increase your risk of having obesity. They also contain refined flour. Therefore, they do not encourage your weight loss. Rather, they help you gain more.
Ice Cream
Among the delicacies life has to offer is ice cream. However, it is also one of the unhealthiest foods. Not only does it have high-calorie content, but most of them is also very high in sugar. The problem with ice cream is, you can consume lots of them within a single sitting. So, what should you do?
Be moderate, take small amounts, and consider making it on your own. You could use less amount of sugar and even incorporate healthier ingredients. As you serve yourself, make the portions small, and store the rest so you are not tempted into eating more than you should.
Alcohol
Most alcoholic drinks are high in calories. Moreover, their sugar content is also high. This cannot compare to the little amount of fiber or protein you get from drinking them. It is usually little, very insignificant, and in some cases, none at all.
Therefore, if you consider losing some weight, you must do away with alcoholic beverages like beer, red wine, or spirits. However, does this mean you entirely forget about them? If you wish to consume any alcoholic drink, you can do so occasionally and be moderate while at it. If you are a woman, keep it at 1 drink a day, and for men, you should keep it at a maximum of 2.
Conclusion
Weight loss is a very involving journey, especially when you are serious about the results. Healthy foods are packed with loads of nutrients and fibers; hence they are very good for you. On the other hand, there are those you should avoid. Such include processed foods, those with added sugars, fats, and even fast foods. Most of these won’t make you fuller; hence you will keep eating them. They are also high in calories. Therefore, when you consume them, they will make you gain rather than shed weight. So, stay disciplined, and follow the healthier path to your weight loss journey.
MS, Lund University, Sweden
Nutrition plays an important role in human life. Eating habits are one of the factors that affect our health. There is often a misconception among people that nutritionists force a very restrictive diet, but that is not true. In fact, I don't ban any products, but I point out dietary mistakes and help change them by giving tips and new recipes that I've tried myself. I advise my patients not to resist change and to be purposeful. Only with willpower and determination can a good result be achieved in any area of life, including changing eating habits. When I don't work, I love to go climbing. On a Friday evening, you are most likely to find me on my couch, cuddling with my dog and watching some Netflix.
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