7 Foods to Avoid to Lose Weight & Why They’re Bad for You
If you’re trying to lose weight, there are certain foods you should avoid. Learn about these 7 foods and why they’re bad for you.
One key to losing weight is to follow a healthy diet. Knowing what foods to avoid to lose weight and what to eat can help your weight loss goals and weight management.
However, some people think that it’s only best to avoid or reduce foods that are calorie dense. In fact, the number of calories in the food isn’t the only factor to consider. For example, low-calorie foods that lack nutritional value, such as fiber and protein, can leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied.
When it comes to diet, there are health articles that emphasize the importance of the food you eat when losing weight. Moderation is important because almost all foods are not good when consumed excessively. In addition, doing regular exercise and following a healthy lifestyle contribute to your weight loss journey.
But when trying to lose weight, here are foods you should avoid for effective weight loss.
7 Foods to Avoid to Lose Weight
The foods you eat have a significant effect on your health and weight. Certain foods, such as greek yogurt, olive oil, and eggs, help you shed some pounds. Meanwhile, foods, especially processed meats and those with refined sugar, can lead to unnecessary weight gain.
Here are the foods to avoid when trying to lose weight:
Sugary drinks
Many sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices, often contain artificial sweeteners that can have disastrous health effects, especially when it comes to weight. These drinks have high-calorie content, but in reality, they have empty calories that do not help a person feel full.
If you’re serious about losing weight, consider giving up on sugary drinks, or if not, you may consider diet sodas with fewer calories.
French fries and potato chips
Fried foods, such as french fries and potato chips, are high in calories, unhealthy fats, and salt. Most restaurants cook their fries in a deep fryer to achieve that crispy texture, but this cooking method adds a significant amount of fat and calories.
Moreover, baked, roasted, or fried potatoes may contain cancer-causing substances called acrylamides. Therefore, when eating whole potatoes, it’s best to eat them plain or boiled.
White bread
White bread is made from highly refined flour, typically high in calories and carbohydrates. It is high on the glycemic index, which can increase your blood sugar levels.
Fortunately, there are many healthy alternatives to conventional white bread, especially those whole grains. They generally contain more fiber and nutrients that can make you feel fuller and healthier.
The ingredients label should list whole-grain flour as the main type of flour. Some examples of whole grains include brown rice flour, whole rye flour, and whole wheat flour.
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks are liquid calories generally high in sugar but contain little or no protein or fiber. People trying to lose weight still enjoy alcoholic beverages if they want to. The key is drinking alcohol in moderation, whereas heavy drinking is associated with increased weight gain.
The type of alcohol also matters. Beer can increase body fat, but drinking wine in moderation has many health benefits, such as preventing chronic diseases and boosting metabolism.
Baked foods
Baked foods, such as pastries, cookies, and cakes, are often made from artificial sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup that are high in added sugars. Many baked goods also include trans fat, which is associated with heart disease and obesity risk.
Eating pastries and cookies is not satisfying, and you will only end up hungry very quickly after eating these high-calorie, low-nutrient unhealthy foods.
White rice
White rice has very low fat but also contains minimal fiber and protein. Some peer-reviewed journals by Health Canal dietitians identified the link between white rice consumption and obesity and found that white rice has a high glycemic index. This means if you have low blood sugar, it can cause a spike in your blood sugar level.
Quinoa, cauliflower, and brown rice are fat-free foods that are a better alternative to white rice. These options are high in dietary fiber and can aid people with insulin resistance.
Candy bars
Energy, candy, and granola bars are sugary foods due to their high calorie and sugar content. However, a person trying to shed some pounds can still enjoy sweets in moderation. More healthful snack alternatives include:
Dark chocolate
Mixed nuts
Plain yogurt
Sliced fruits
In addition to the worst foods for weight loss include junk food, vanilla ice cream, and processed meat like hot dogs, bacon, jerky, and ham. These processed foods contain trans fatty acids, saturated fat, sodium, and calories.
According to the World Health Organization, processed meat is carcinogenic to humans and can cause cancer.
Conclusion
When you want to burn and lose belly fat, pay attention to the foods you eat. The worst foods for weight loss are highly processed foods. These foods are typically loaded with refined sugar and added fats.
When planning for your weight loss diet, make sure to include nutritious foods that are rich in healthy fats and dietary fiber. Read the label if you’re unsure if the food is healthy or unhealthy.
Also, there’s no such thing as weight loss foods because even healthy foods like nuts, dried fruits, and lean protein, when eaten excessively, aren’t healthy.
Aside from avoiding these unhealthy foods, follow a balanced diet and regular exercise recommended by your doctor to boost metabolism, burn fat, and achieve your target weight.
