You’re either starting your diet or you are just about to. Now you want to know which foods you should avoid in order to reach your weight loss goals.
You may feel like I did when I was trying to lose weight. There was so much conflicting information. It seemed like there was always conflicting information.
Fashions and weight-loss trends change all the time, so it’s hard to keep up with the times.
So I decided to compile a list of foods that I believe are not good for anyone trying to lose weight. Let’s have a look.
1. White bread
White bread is made with highly refined flour and added sugar. It’s also highly processed.
Consuming it will increase your blood sugar levels, which can lead to a crash that leads to you reaching for the sweets cupboard to get a pick-me-up.
The sugar in bread will also be stored as fat if it is not consumed as energy by physical activity.
This is why white bread should be avoided like a plague.
Alternatives:-
Choose sourdough or rye instead. These loaves of bread are less processed than white bread and have a higher level of fiber, which will help you feel fuller for longer.
This will give you the energy boost you need to get through your meals without feeling hungry.
2. Soda drinks
Coca-Cola, the full-fat version, contains approximately 10 cubes of sugar per can. Mind-blowing isn’t.
Our brains can be tricked by sodas because they are liquids. Problem is, they don’t satisfy our appetite receptors which means that we don’t notice that we have consumed most of our daily sugar intake in one go.
Sodas don’t give us much energy, even though they are very calorific. Sodas are bad for weight gain and can be linked to all sorts of health issues, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
They will also make you feel gassy and bloated.
Alternatives:-
Water is the obvious choice. It is low in calories, cheap, and easily available.
Green tea, vegetable juices, and unsweetened ice tea are all good choices.
3. Energy Bars
Energy bars are often promoted as healthy snacks but are loaded with refined sugars that will not help your waistline.
Energy bars can contain up to 500 calories, which is about a quarter of the daily calorie intake for a female.
Some manufacturers also include partially or hydrogenated oils in their bars, which can raise your cholesterol levels.
Alternatives:-
You can also try fruits like apples and raw vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers. You can also substitute energy bars with nuts, but be aware that nuts are high in fat.
4. Alcohol
Although I don’t think it would be fair to tell people not to drink alcohol, it is important to note that alcoholic beverages are high in calories and can also be high in sugar.
One regular-sized beer has around 150 calories. A regular-sized glass of wine has around 125 calories.
It only takes two to three drinks, and you can consume up to 25% of your daily recommended calories.
Our sleep is also affected by alcohol. One glass of wine can disrupt our REM sleep, which can lead to a lack of energy and a feeling that we aren’t well-rested the next morning.
This is one reason you feel tired after a hangover. If we don’t get enough sleep, we tend to eat unhealthy food which only adds weight.
Alternatives:-
There isn’t much you can do to replace alcohol. I will tell you, limit your intake of alcohol. Limit your intake to one or two drinks.
You can also opt for lower sugar drinks or red wine, which has many health benefits.
5. Baked Goods
Many premise desserts such as cookies, pastries, and cakes, are high in sugar and often made with trans fats that can lead to obesity.
They taste great, but there are other options to satisfy your sweet tooth if you’re on a diet.
Although it can be difficult to resist the temptation of a cookie jar, your waistline will be grateful.
Alternatives:-
You can resist the temptation to eat sweet treats, so why not try swapping out cakes for fruits such as bananas, berries, and citrus fruits?
Sweet vegetables such as sweet peppers and carrots are also possible. This rum loaf is also a favorite of mine, with no added sugar.
Conclusion
These foods are a no-no for dieting. You can eliminate these foods and substitute them with the ones I’ve suggested.
This will help you achieve your weight loss goals without any harm. You’d be surprised at what you might find.
They might not be too missed, especially if you start seeing results. Good luck!