Foods to avoid on a weight loss diet

Weight gain depends more on what you eat than how much you eat. This goes to show that little tweaks to diet have an impact on your weight and overall health. The focus of a weight loss diet is not just the burning of calories but should also focus on consuming a healthy diet, in general.

If you are on a weight loss diet, you should consider eating foods high in protein and fiber because they can keep you feeling fuller for a longer period. Certain foods must also be avoided completely while trying to lose weight. One common misconception that most people have is that foods that taste nice are not healthy while healthy foods should have a bland taste.

Truth be told, if you do not enjoy your diet, your weight loss journey will seem difficult. It is also important to note that not all foods that make us feel full are helpful.

In this article, I have listed seven (7) foods to limit (or avoid completely) on a weight loss journey.

1. White Bread

White bread is NOT your friend. Even though it is available at every corner you turn, it is detrimental to health in general. White bread is highly refined and contains a lot of added sugar that can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Thankfully, there are alternatives; you can always opt for whole wheat bread (bear in mind that it contains gluten), almond flour bread, and cornbread.

2. French fries and potato chips

Potatoes are highly nutritious. They contain potassium which helps in the proper functioning of the brain, heart, and muscles. With potatoes, the problem arises when they are fried rather than boiled or baked. When compared, research has shown that fried potatoes contain almost twice as many calories.

3. Pastries

While they're easy to snack on, pastries contain a high level of calories, added sugar, fat, and carbohydrates. Apart from this, pastries may make you hungry quickly after eating them and cause you to eat large portions that oppose your weight loss goal. As an alternative, and to satisfy your sweet tooth, you could opt for a carrot cake or dark chocolate. If you're still struggling, a great place to start is to cut your pastry portions in half.

4. Ice Cream

Who doesn't love the delicious taste of ice cream? However, if you're trying to lose weight, you wouldn't want to overindulge. In addition to being high in calories, ice cream contains a lot of added sugar. In other words, ice cream has the potential to contribute to weight gain. Alternatively, you could consider making your frozen desserts using less sugar and more nutritious ingredient.

5. Flavored Yogurt

There are 230 calories in just one cup of flavored yogurt. You should be careful when choosing “low fat” or “fat-free” foods, especially those that boast of a fruit flavor. Most times, they do not contain any fruit, rather, the manufacturers often add extra sugar. To cover up the added sugar content, the terms “anhydrous dextrose” and “molasses” are used. A better alternative is to consume Greek yogurt since it has a lower calorie content.

P.S.: Completely avoid foods with high amounts of added sugar. Apart from their calorie content, they may contribute to chronic health conditions like diabetes.

6. Fast Foods

Eating fast food is a trap, run as far as possible. Fast foods contain a high amount of sodium and sweet carbohydrates so they are classified as a high calorie option. In the long run, fast foods put you at risk of obesity. Consider making your meals; although it seems like a lot of work, it puts you in control of what goes into your meals.

7. Alcohol

There is a school of thought, that says alcoholic drinks contain fewer calories than fizzy drinks. The fact, however, is that the more you take alcoholic beverages, the higher your calorie intake. If your goal is to lose weight, even moderate consumption of alcohol will add extra calories to your diet so it is in your best interest to cut it out completely.

In addition to these seven foods, some fruits should also be taken in moderation because they may increase body mass or contain a large number of calories. For example, avocado, mango, banana, coconut meat, and dry fruits. Coconut water, for instance, is a healthy choice but consumption of the white fleshy parts contributes to weight gain.

Conclusion

Weight loss requires patience and hard work. In addition to physical activities, a healthy diet can make a huge impact. Be sure to steer clear of foods that include saturated fats, diet sodas, hot dogs, fried foods, and highly processed foods.  It is essential to drink adequate water too. You can also practice mindful eating, it can help moderate your food intake.

I hope this article has been helpful and you have enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.

Till I come your way again, stay healthy.