You try your best to eat right and live right every day. You go to the gym and perform your cardio exercise, you lift weights, you even play sports on the weekends. As for your diet, you make sure to eat right, get the right amount of calories and avoid fattening foods.
But are you really avoid fattening foods? More often than not, I meet women who think that their food choices are smart when, in fact, they’re actually hindering their efforts by eating fattening foods that are disguised as “healthy.”
What are these fattening foods? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Fattening foods #10
Juice
You might think that drinking orange juice in the morning is the smart way to go, but unless it has absolutely no added sugar, you’re actually doing more harm than good to your body.
Most juices contain loads of sugar and should be avoided at all costs. The only way to ensure that the juice you’re drinking is actually good for you, read the labels diligently or get yourself a juicer and make your own.
Fattening foods #9
Rice cakes
Although they are low in calories, rice cakes cause a spike in your blood sugar and could end up storing unwanted fat by slowing down your body’s ability to burn fat.
As well, most women don’t eat plain rice cakes, opting instead for flavored ones that are, in turn, very high in sodium. Your best bet would be to steer clear of rice cakes altogether and opt for something healthier like a raw fruit or vegetable.
Fattening foods #8
Flavored oatmeal
While oatmeal is incredibly good for the body as it helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body, the flavored variety is packed with sugar and would end up hindering any of the beneficial value oatmeal has.
Your best bet would be to buy the original variety, add some Splenda, cinnamon, walnuts and raisins to it yourself, and enjoy. This way, you can ensure that it doesn’t contain any extra additives without sacrificing flavor.
Fattening foods #7
Muffins
Although the term low-fat muffin doesn’t sound so bad, the fact of the matter is that in order to make up for the lack of fat, a whole lot of sugar is added to the mix in order for the muffin to keep its yummy flavor.
If that weren’t bad enough, muffins are rarely as small as they used to be. The amount of calories these gargantuan muffins contain nowadays equate a meal (400 calories). You can either keep up your muffin purchases and spread out your consumption (eat half for two mornings), or give up your muffins and opt for some whole-grain toast with sugar free jam instead.
Fattening foods #6
Diet sodas
Scientists have found a link between diet sodas and obesity. That is not to say that diet sodas cause obesity, mind you, but it is widely believed that diet sodas inhibit the hormone leptin, which regulates appetite and metabolism.
So when you enjoy your burger, fries and diet cola, you’re not doing yourself any favors. And no, regular soda is no better considering one can contains 7 teaspoons of sugar. Your best bet? Regular old water.
Fattening foods #5
Breaded shellfish, fish or chicken
Most breaded foods generally contain a boatload of fat. Add to that the fat that breaded foods are typically deep-fried and you’re basically screwed in the calorie department.
Rather than ingest breaded foods, opt to have them grilled instead. Grilled chicken and fish taste fantastic and will maintain their moisture. If you absolutely need to have breaded food, however, don’t fry it; broil it instead.
Fattening foods #4
Cereal bars
While it’s possible to find cereal bars that are healthy and full of nutrients, more than half of all cereal bars found on supermarket shelves are high in sugar and saturated fat.
Although they’re great when you’re on the go in the morning, they won’t be as great when all the calories begin to show themselves on your butt and hips. Be more vigilant about reading the labels and pay close attention to the saturated fat and sugar content.
Fattening foods #3
Granola
While granola was touted as a diet food in the late ‘70s, most of us now know how calorie-laden it really is. A ¾ cup serving contains about 350 calories and 12 grams of fat. That’s crazy!
Rather than ordinary granola, there are new low-fat, low-sugar varieties available, so snack on that.
Fattening foods #2
Deli meats
Cold cuts are not only full of sodium and fat (and sometimes even sugar), they also contain nitrites, and while their objective is to help prevent botulism, they are also associated with cancer of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach, and/or brain.
I know that deli meats are convenient and easy, but they can do more harm than good to your body. You can keep having your deli meats in moderation and opt for better options like chicken and turkey breasts. Or you can always buy a cooked chicken and take it apart to make healthier sandwiches and salads.
Fattening foods #1
Frozen yogurt
Add the word “yogurt” to anything and suddenly everyone thinks it’s healthy. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. Even the low- or non-fat varieties use loads of sugar to make up for the decrease in fat, so if you eat too much, the calories consumed will be stored as fat.
Keep your frozen yogurt intake to a minimum and, again, pay close attention to the ingredients list.
Recognize those fattening foods
It is up to you to be aware of what goes into your body, and by paying attention to labels and understanding that low-fat does not necessarily mean “this doesn’t count,” you can keep your waist line intact and feel good about what you ingest.
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