These Are the Foods to Avoid for Weight Loss

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You’ll find that there are lots of specific diets out there that can help you lose weight. Whether you want to try out something like keto, try a carb limiting option, or test out intermittent fasting, these diets will cause you to pay closer attention to what you’re consuming each day. The tried and true way to lose weight is to not only limit the amount of calories you’re consuming, but perhaps change the types of foods you eat altogether. Depending on what your diet looks like now, this may be a big change for you, and it can take some time to learn what foods to limit, and what foods to include more in your diet as you work at losing weight.

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Are there any particular kinds of foods you should avoid entirely if you’re working on losing weight? In today’s article we’re discussing that and more including:

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• The top foods to cut out of your diet to aid with weight loss
• The best foods to promote weight loss
• Other essential lifestyle changes to help you lose weight

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Top foods to avoid for weight loss

You’ll want to limit these foods if you want to successfully lose weight

Deciding to lose weight is a great move, and it can only benefit your long term health. Obesity has been linked to increasing your chances of developing diabetes and heart disease, which is why maintaining a healthy weight is essential. Everyone who wants to successfully lose weight has to pay close attention to the foods they consume, as well as how much you're eating throughout the day. If you want to lose weight, healthcare professionals recommend avoiding or limiting the following types of food.

• Fried foods. When you want to lose weight, you’re definitely going to need to limit your intake of fried foods. These are any type of food that goes into a deep fryer such as french fries, chicken tenders, some chicken wings, fried mushrooms, etc. The added calories from the breading and the type of oil they’re typically fried in make these kinds of foods very high in calories and low in nutritional value.

• Snack crackers and chips. Another type of food that you’ll want to avoid while working to lose weight are crackers and chips. There are so many snacking options out there, and the cracker and chip aisle at the grocery store seems to be packed with all kinds of tasty options. However these foods contain added fats, salts, and sugar, which is why they are so tasty.

• Sugary drinks. When you’re working to lose weight, it’s essential that you get enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated. What you want to avoid are sugary drinks such as soda, fruit juices, energy drinks, high calorie coffee drinks, and even drinks that claim to rehydrate you. Most of the time there are lots of calories in these drinks as well as added sugar and salt.

• Baked goods. While having a cookie or a cupcake once in a while isn’t necessarily a bad thing that will derail your diet, you don’t want to make it a daily occurrence. Try to avoid baked goods like cakes, donuts, cookies, danishes, and sweet breads while you’re on your weight loss journey.

• Fast food. Convenience food like fast food may be good when you’re short on time, but it definitely isn’t good for your diet. The type of food you find at fast food restaurants and that are prepackaged in the grocery store are often highly processed, which means they are made with refined breads and meats. Oftentimes lots of additional sugar or salt will be added to help keep these items fresh as well. Keep in mind processed foods can also be items at the deli counter as well, which include cheeses and meats like ham, salami, and turkey.

• Refined breads and pastas. You should definitely make it a point to cut out white bread and enriched pastas and rice when you’re trying to lose weight. These products are higher in calories and carbs, but low in fiber and protein. Most of the white bread you see on the shelves at grocery stores are also very high in added sugars.

• Candy. Just like baked goods, having a little candy once in a while isn’t off limits, but you don’t want to include it in your daily routine. Candies such as gummies, milk chocolate, and other hard candies are high in sugar and can contain high fructose corn syrup. If you do want something sweet, consider having a small piece of dark chocolate, which actually is much healthier than milk chocolate and contains antioxidants that are beneficial to your body.

• Alcohol. Experts recommend drinking alcohol in moderation, as it contains a high amount of calories and sugars. Stick to having a glass of red wine once in a while instead of high calorie beer or liquor that is high in sugar.

• Foods with lots of added sugar. When you’re out doing your shopping, make sure to read the labels and see what the amount of sugar is in each item. You may be surprised how much sugar is put into food, including flavored yogurt, cereals, and granola bars. Opt for finding food that’s lower in sugar and contains fiber, which will help you stay fuller for longer. 

Which food is best for weight loss?

Include these foods in your diet if you want to lose weight

Now that you know a little more about the types of foods to avoid for weight loss, it’s time to discuss the foods you should definitely be eating on the regular! 

• Lean protein. Protein is an essential part of your daily diet, and lean protein from turkey, salmon, chicken, and plant-based sources like lentils are wonderful ways to help you stay full and stabilize your blood sugar levels.

• Fruits and vegetables. We all know fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet, so make sure to include them daily. Fruits like bananas and avocados can keep you full, while berries and apples have all kinds of helpful antioxidants. Broccoli and cauliflower can keep you full, while brussel sprouts are high in fiber.

• Eggs. Eggs are a complete source of protein, but they also have helpful vitamins and minerals like calcium and potassium.

• Nuts, seeds, and legumes. Nuts, seeds, and legumes are all great sources of fiber, as well as protein and healthy fat. 

• Oats. Oats are full of fiber, which makes them a great way to start your day at breakfast, or to include as a yogurt topping or in homemade granola. 

• Fermented foods. Gut-friendly fermented foods are a great option to include your diet! You can try homemade sauerkraut as a side or on top of a salad, or go for Greek yogurt with all kinds of helpful bacteria to make your gut healthy. Avoid the flavored yogurts and instead opt for plain Greek yogurt and add berries, nuts, or oats to enhance the taste.

• High fiber meal replacement shakes. When you’re trying to lose weight, you want to make sure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you need, but without all the calories and sugar. Including a meal replacement shake like WonderSlim’s is a great way to ensure you’re nourishing your body throughout the day. With just 100 calories in each serving, you’ll love the 15 grams of protein, 24 vitamins and minerals, and 8 flavors (plus a variety pack), and will never miss all the unnecessary calories, sugar, and carbs from other options. 

Other lifestyle changes essential for losing weight

Make sure you’re ready to change your outlook in order to lose weight

What you eat, and how much of it, will definitely have an impact on the amount of weight you lose. However, you’ve also got to implement real lifestyle changes if you want to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. Other tips to lose weight successfully include: 

• Finding your motivation. You’ve got to want to lose weight for no one else except yourself! 
• Set goals. Set small goals that you can achieve, such as committing to walking or jogging for 30 minutes each day, or including more vegetables in your meals.
• Staying active. It’s essential to stay active if you want to lose weight. Incorporating a mix of cardio and strength training exercises will help you burn more calories, and increase your resting metabolism. 

Make sure to avoid certain types of food for the best weight loss results!

While no food should be utterly off limits when you’re trying to lose weight, you should make it a point to avoid certain unhealthy choices. Now that you know the healthy foods you can include in your diet, you should be well on your way!