When trying to lose weight many people get lost trying to figure out what foods they should eat.  It’s important to remember that you don’t need to change all of your habits in one day.  You should be working toward a healthier lifestyle and eating the foods that will help you on that journey.  That being said, there are some foods to avoid while trying to lose weight.

Sugary Foods

Sugary foods are calorie dense.  These additional calories can lead to unwanted weight gain.  It is recommended to limit your sugar intake to no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day.  Sugary foods include syrups, sweeteners, cakes, cookies, and enriched cereals.

Salty Food

Foods that are high in sodium affect the chemical balance of your body.  This causes your body to retain more water and gives you that bloated feeling.  It is recommend that you consume no more than 2300 mg of sodium per day.  Some examples of salty foods are salty nuts, vegetables, salad dressings, beef, pork, and a number of condiments.

Fatty Foods

A high daily intake of saturated or unhealthy fats leads to weight gain.  These foods are also known to increase bad cholesterol levels.  It is recommended that you limit your daily intake of saturated or unhealthy fats to no more than seven percent of your total calorie intake per day.  These foods include fried foods, fast foods, bacon, ham, and whole dairy products.

Refined Grains

Refined grains lack the proper nutrition necessary for you daily intake.  This lack of proper nutrients can slow your metabolism.  Whole grains are much better than refined grains.  Refined grains are white bread, white rice, white flour, and enriched cereals.

Condiments

Condiments are a sneaky food.  Even using small amounts can add major calories when you don’t notice.  These include mayonnaise, salad dressings, dips, butter, and ketchup.  Try substituting these with hummus, mustard, salsa, and chutney.

Ideally, these are the foods to avoid while trying to lose weight. Be sure to consult with your healthy, medically approved weight loss program provider to ensure that your food choices are meeting all of your dietary needs and functioning well with your weight loss program.  Also, consult with your doctor before making any drastic changes especially if you have health risks like diabetes or celiac.

To schedule your free consultation please click below or call Becky Wilborn at (212) 759-8118.