Tempting foods to avoid so you can stay on track and achieve your weight loss goals!
If you’re trying to lose weight, watching your calorie intake is essential. The food you consume affects not only your health but also affects your weight. Whether you’re working on a nutrition plan or thinking of hiring a personal trainer, there are foods that you need to avoid. In this article, we discuss food to avoid for weight loss.
Carbs- But Not All Carbs
There are several myths about carbohydrates that can hinder healthy weight loss. It’s common to hear people claim that they do not consume carbohydrates or are on a low-carb diet. However, before eliminating carbohydrates from your meals, remember that your body prefers carbs as a source of energy. Which means you cannot cancel carbohydrates from your meals completely.
If you cannot eliminate carbs from your weight loss diet, what should you eat? The type of carbs you consume matter as much as the potions and timing. Pasta, white bread, French fries, potato chips, candy bars, and sweets are all refined carbs that will do more harm than good. Three things determine which carbs are healthy for you- starch, sugar, and fiber.
Complex carbohydrates contain sugar, fiber, protein, and minerals. The presence of fiber is good for you because it slows down the digestion process and prevents spikes in blood sugar, which also leaves you feeling satisfied for longer. You can consume complex carbs through legumes, starchy vegetables, and whole grains.
However, when you consume simple carbs in refined carbs, digestion happens quickly, and you won’t stay full for long. The sugars also cause erratic changes in your blood sugar that deplete quickly, always leaving you hungry for more. For these reasons, it’s wiser for you to move further along the aisle and look for old fashioned oats and whole-grain bread.
This is not to say that you will not find simple carbs in yogurt, fruits, and vegetables. However, since the calorie density is lower in these foods, you’ll have an easier time managing your weight. The key to finding the right carbohydrates for your weight loss diet is to identify the amount of sugar added to your carbs. You can find healthy sugar that occurs naturally in fruits, yogurt, and whole grains.
Sugary Beverages
Sweetened beverages should be on your list of foods to avoid for weight loss. Juices, sweetened coffee and tea, soda, sport-drinks, and good-old Kool-Aid will sabotage personal fitness training. These drinks are high in sugar and calories but have no nutritional value.
Sugary drinks don’t fill you up. You are likely to consume more calories than necessary because these drinks don’t act as substitutes for meals. They also cause your blood sugar to rise and fall quickly, which makes you feel hungrier. As you crave more food, the risk of gaining more weight increases.
Unfortunately, even protein shakes and diet drinks can be a source of unwanted weight. Protein shakes work effectively when used as a substitute for meals. However, if you add a high-calorie shake to your usual meals, you will gain weight. Diet drinks contain artificial sugars, which can cause weight gain without additional nutritional benefits.
Lastly, let’s not forget alcoholic beverages. Wines, beers, and whiskeys have their fair share of calories. Since you cannot use alcoholic drinks in place of your meals, you end up consuming more than necessary calories. You may easily find yourself sneaking in pizza or chocolate bars after downing a few glasses.
If you need hydration, water works just fine. If you’re craving flavor, add lime to your water. Carry a bottle of water to work and ask for water when you eat out to avoid consuming empty calories.
Are You Ready to Tackle Your Nutrition Plan and Get in Shape?
With the right diet and nutritional support, you can lose weight and stay healthy. Seeking health coach services is an efficient way to understand food to avoid weight loss. For exemplary personal training and nutrition planning, contact Generation Fit, your personal trainer in Dunedin, to get started on your weight loss journey today!