When you’re trying to lose weight, it seems logical to eat foods that are advertised as being low-calorie or low-fat.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Doctors and health experts actually advise us to not eat these exact products because they’re quite detrimental to our health for a variety of reasons. If you’re on a weight loss program, here are the six foods that experts say you should remove from your diet:
Carb-only foods like crackers, bread, or dry cereal are digested by the body and turned into simple sugars that directly enter your blood stream. Your body then produces more insulin to absorb this sugar, which only lowers your blood sugar level, leaving you just as hungry as before you ate.
Frozen meals that are packed with loads of sodium and calories in each bite. Not only is the food unhealthy, but the small portion size leaves you feeling unsatisfied, even when you’re finished.
Fiber snack bars that provide an entire day’s worth of protein in one package. Overloading on fiber in one sitting doesn’t provide the same health benefits as consuming it slowly, but regularly throughout the day. The latter route actually helps you feel full for longer and improve your digestive health.
“Low fat” foods that replace fat with sodium or sugar as a way of compensating for missing flavor. The addition is not only worse for your health, but “low fat” foods are generally over-consumed because people think these foods are acceptable to be eaten in larger quantities because of its lower fat content.
Juice does provide you with all the vitamins you would get from eating fruit, but it removes all the fiber and pulp that could also benefit your health while still giving you all the same calories – plus some added sugar.
Artificially sweetened drinks that don’t offer you any health benefits with their high sugar and calorie levels. You’re better off drinking water infused with fruits.
Don’t let this list intimidate you. While you should avoid some foods to help you reach your goals, you shouldn’t completely restrict yourself from enjoying your food – even when you’re trying to lose weight.