If you’re trying to slim down but your kitchen is stocked with diet-sabotaging junk food, it’s going to be that much more difficult to stick to your healthy eating and exercise plans. A lot of these items may not look bad at first glance, but they actually hinder your weight loss efforts because of their high-calorie content and low nutritional value.
See our compiled list of the worst weight loss foods to avoid so you can stay on track.
Processed Meats
Eating processed meats like processed meat, bacon, hot dogs, and sausage may not only contribute to your weight gain but also pose serious health risks. Over a four-year period, eating processed beef was linked to nearly an extra pound of weight gain, per a Harvard study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Reduce your intake of processed meat for more than just health reasons. There is also a reason to link the diet to type 2 diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure. That’s why researchers included them among the 50 foods that are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Breakfast Cereals
Breakfast cereals have a reputation for being a healthy option for both kids and adults. Contains whole grains’ and other related health claims are common on cereal boxes. Food labels might also boast that a particular cereal is high in healthy ingredients like vitamin A and iron.
They are extensively processed and contain very few actual whole grains. Fortification also refers to the process of artificially adding nutrients.
Most breakfast cereals are high in sugar and refined (not whole) grains. Yet, sugar is often listed as the first or second ingredient. As everyone goes up the priority list, one can expect a larger quantity.
Many “healthy” bowls of cereal, including granola with oats, are actually quite sugary. It has been suggested that consuming a lot of sugar can lead to weight gain, diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease, and other long-term health problems.
Fried food
According to the researchers, fried foods have the same effect on the stomach as processed foods. Due to their high-fat content, fried foods take much longer for the body to digest. Unexpectedly unhealthy, these are meals you should avoid at all costs.
Candied dried fruits
In addition to being low in calories and high in beneficial nutrients, fresh fruits are also a great source of fiber. Yet, the calorie content of dried fruits may be higher.
Dried fruits are a rich source of fructose since they contain so little water. Hence, dried fruit has more calories and sugar than fresh fruit, gram per gram.
Dried fruits are a healthier sweet snack than cookies or candies because they still include fiber and nutrients.
Dried fruits are fine for people who are watching their weight, but it’s crucial to make sure they don’t have any added sugar. The amount of sugar in some “candied” or “sweetened” dried fruits could rival that of a candy bar.
Soda
Soft drinks have a high calorie and added sugar content without providing any beneficial elements such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, or antioxidants.
Soda use is also associated with an increased risk of obesity.
Regular consumers of sugary sodas are statistically more likely to put on weight than those who abstain.
Those who sipped soda in addition to their regular diet ingested an average of 572 extra calories daily, according to single research. This has the potential to cause serious weight gain over time.
Soda consumption has also been linked to an increased danger of developing diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.
Drinking soda is fine on occasion, but make it a point to cut back to no more than 12 ounces (354 mL) every day. To further decrease your sugar intake, you might switch to sugar-free versions of your usual drinks.
White Bread
As you’re trying to get rid of belly fat, don’t eat any highly refined, white bread. Evidence suggests that eating refined carbohydrates leads to more belly fat. You’ll put on water weight and remain permanently bloated from all the sodium.
Potato chips and French fries
Typical servings of French fries and potato chips can include a lot of calories and fat. French fry and potato chip consumption has been associated with increased body fat in observational studies.
A study from 2011 even suggested that potato chips might be the single biggest source of extra pounds with just one meal.
Acrylamides are a class of compounds that have been related to cancer and may be present in potatoes after they have been baked, roasted, or fried.
As a result, these foods should be enjoyed moderately and as part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Avoiding meals that are high in calories but poor in fiber, protein, and other healthy elements is essential for weight loss and healthy weight maintenance.
Individuals who try diet and exercise but are unable to reach a healthy weight may think about talking to the general physician for more advice.
FAQs
What kind of food causes the most weight gain?
Ans: Foods high in whole carbs, healthy fats, and protein are often helpful for people who need to gain weight. Wholesome grains, dried fruit, tubers, avocados, fatty fish, eggs, and milk products are all examples of such foods.
What can happen if one puts on weight too fast?
Ans: However, issues with the thyroid, kidneys, or heart can sometimes manifest as rapid weight gain. Someone who gains weight quickly or unexplainably should consult a physician to identify the underlying issue and create a treatment strategy.
Can fast food gain weight?
Ans: Fast food may be inexpensive and convenient, but it comes at a higher cost overall. The fat, calories, and highly processed carbs in those burgers, fries, and shakes are typically more than your body needs in a single meal. If you consume this on a regular basis, you may quickly find yourself overweight.
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