Eating healthy to lose weight is a challenge for a variety of reasons, but one of the biggest problems is that many healthy foods can actually stunt your weight loss progress. Even healthy foods can prevent fat loss, which will quickly hinder your ability to lose weight. Here are a few healthy foods that you should avoid if you are trying to lose weight.
- Oils: Oils are often used in food preparation and some seemingly healthy dishes. One of the most commonly used oils is olive oil. While olive oil is good for cardiovascular health, it doesn’t contain any fiber or protein, so it won’t leave you feeling full. Additionally, we tend to overuse olive oil when we prepare food. In most cases, you should use no more than a tablespoon of olive oil when preparing food.
- Nuts and seeds: We all know that nuts and seeds are some of the healthiest foods for people to eat, so how could they possibly hinder weight loss? The problem lies with the number of calories nuts and seeds contain. While you are getting all kinds of nutrients, the real trick is limiting portions of nuts and seeds. A quarter cup of almonds, for example, is around 200 calories, which makes a cup of almonds around 800 calories. These calorie counts are for raw almonds, so consider the number of calories you could be consuming if the nuts are roasted in oil. It is very important to be mindful of your portion sizes when eating seeds and nuts to make sure that you aren’t consuming half of the calories you need for the day in one sitting.
- Smoothies and juices: Since juices and smoothies contain fruit—and some even include vegetables—it is easy to see why so many people mistakenly believe that these drinks will help them on their weight loss journey. Unfortunately, when you blend fruits together, it is so much easier to consume more calories without getting the same full feeling you would get from eating the fruit whole. In fact, many nutritionists recommend eating the fruits whole because it takes longer and leaves you feeling more satisfied.
- Granola: Granola seems like a healthy breakfast and snack option, but when you consider the amount of added oil and sugar, it probably won’t surprise you that granola isn’t a good food item if you are trying to lose weight. If you are trying to shed a few pounds, you will want to stick with steel cut oatmeal without all of the extra calories.
- Avocado: How dare we say anything negative about avocados, right? Well, if you are looking to lose weight, you need to treat avocados like you do nuts and seeds. A single avocado contains around 300 calories, so you will only want to eat one a day. However, it is worth noting that avocados contain potassium, magnesium, fiber, and healthy fats, so you should still eat an avocado occasionally for all of their health benefits.
- Cheese: While cheese contains calcium, the amount of fat and calories it contains can quickly become a problem. If you like to snack on cheese, limit yourself and try to find skim or low-fat varieties when possible.
- Hummus: While hummus is a very healthy protein source, store-bought hummus often contains a lot of added oil, which increases the number of calories you will consume. Homemade hummus is a healthier alternative for those looking to lose a few pounds.
Alternative Options to Help with Weight Loss
While the above foods are things that you should avoid or eat in moderation when you are trying to lose weight, these foods are known for helping people lose weight. Here are some of our favorite foods that can help you lose weight.
Eggs: Eggs contain a lot of protein and good fat, and they leave you feeling full and satisfied. With all of the nutrients found in eggs—especially the yolks—it is no surprise that they are considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Since eggs are nutrient-dense and filling, you are less likely to overeat later in the day if you eat eggs for breakfast.
Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, collard greens, swiss chards, and other leafy greens are low in calories and carbohydrates while containing a lot of fiber and other nutrients. Leafy greens also have fewer calories than a lot of other foods, so you can increase the volume of your meals without adding a bunch of calories to your meals.
Cruciferous vegetables: Vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are high in fiber and filling while also containing a good amount of protein for vegetables.
Salmon: Salmon, a fatty fish, is healthy and filling without containing a lot of calories. Salmon contains a lot of healthy protein and fats. Plus, salmon contains iodine, which is important to your metabolism.
Lean meat: Meat has been the subject of intense debate among those who wish to eat healthily for a long time. Lean beef and chicken are two of the most important foods to eat when trying to lose weight, because it is high in protein, which is the most filling nutrient. A high-protein diet can also help you burn between 80 and 100 calories per day.
Lots of foods are known to be both healthy and beneficial for weight loss, but these are five of the best options. If you need more help getting a diet and exercise regimen together, contact Plunkett Fitness today at 913-390-3360.
