Lots of experts say it’s stupid to forbid yourself from eating certain foods — that denying yourself something you really want to eat can ultimately lead to binge eating and eventual weight gain. When you are trying to lose weight, it is important to avoid eating same certain food. In this case, avoid these foods (when you can!) to fend off cravings and hunger, and support your efforts to slim down.
1. Seasoning salts
Speaking of salts, most people cook with a bunch of different seasoning salts, turning healthy meals into ones that raise blood pressure and spark future cravings. For this reason, try to use seasonings that don’t contain sodium. If spices and herbs intimidate you, check out this easy-to-use guide and learn tasty ways to cook salt-free.
2. Pre-made deli salads
Just because it is advertised as “homemade” doesn’t mean that it’s good for you. Most salads you’ll find for sale in the local deli are made with salad dressing or oil. You’re much better off making your own so you can control what does and does not go into it.
3. Ketchup
This one condiment seems harmless enough, but did you realize that it is extremely high in both sugar and salt? That makes ketchup double trouble when you’re trying to lose weight. Yes, it goes real well with French fries, but you shouldn’t be eating them very often if you’re trying to lose weight and get healthy anyway, right?
Certainly, you can’t eat perfect all the time but the better you eat overall, the more progress you’ll make toward your goal of losing weight and getting in shape. Limit foods like these in your diet and you’ll fit into those skinny jeans faster than you thought possible.
4. Vegetable oil
Some oils are better for you than others, and vegetable oil is on the not-so-good side of the list. Substitute unsweetened applesauce in place of the oil in your recipes for a healthier alternative.
5. Soy sauce
Although rice tastes great with just a little bit of soy sauce, it doesn’t take much to edge you over your recommended daily limit of sodium. If you can’t imagine rice without it, at least switch to the low sodium kind so you don’t undo all the hard work you’ve done trying to get fit and trim.
6. Tomato sauce
Tomatoes are good, right? Yes, but not in sauces that are loaded with sugar and/or salt. Either make your own or buy the brands that offer reduced amounts of the substances you want less of in your diet. Your scale will show the results.
7. Marbled red meats
Red meats carry a lot of body healthy nutrients, like iron and vitamins A, D and E. So, while you’ll want to include them in your diet in limited portions, just make sure you choose the lower fat cuts. Aim for ground products that are less than 10% fat and cut any extra fat off the meat that you can see prior to cooking if you’re going to eat steaks.
8. Whole fat cheese
The problem with this dairy product is that it doesn’t take much to go overboard. One ounce, which is the recommended serving size, is only the size of your thumb and most people consume way more than that in one sitting. You’re much better off buying and eating individually wrapped low fat cheese sticks if you’re trying to lose weight.
9. Boxed meals
Although they’re convenient and some of them do contain healthy ingredients, boxed meals are still loaded with a lot of different salts to make them taste good when you cook them up. When possible, cook using all natural fresh ingredients.
10. Tuna packed in oil
Tuna provides you a good amount of vitamin C, manganese and zinc, but pack it in oil and it also gives you a lot of fat. When picking up canned tuna, make sure you choose the ones that are packed in water so you don’t go off course with your weight loss
11. Most pasta
Pasta is great when it comes to energy, but because most of them are simple carbs they get processed by your body rather quickly, sending your blood sugar on that roller coaster ride that all dieters dread. You don’t have to avoid pasta completely, just limit it to the whole wheat varieties so you get all the nutrients with none of the sugar spikes.
12. Artificial sweeteners
There has been a real push in the last decade or so to avoid regular sugar and switch to artificial sweeteners instead. However, research has shown that these artificial substitutes actually promote weight gain as opposed to weight loss. Avoid them and you’ll likely lose some unwanted fat as well.
13. Alcohol
Even low calorie alcoholic drinks can pack on the pounds when you engage in a night or weekend of binge drinking. On top of the extra calories, alcohol also tends to inhibit good decision making; causing you to choose deep fried foods over salads every time.
14. Canned fruit
Another food that sounds healthy, but isn’t necessarily is canned fruit. Most of them are loaded with tons of sugar; enough where their bad outweighs their good. If you absolutely cannot live without it, at least buy the fruit canned in light syrup.
13. White bread
White bread a high glycemic food (meaning it causes a huge reaction with your blood sugar). Add a pat of butter to it and now you’ve made it worse by making it high calorie too. If given the option, choose whole wheat over white and use a seasoned olive oil dip instead. You’ll make your heart and your waistline happier.
14. Deli meats
You may think you’re eating healthy by buying lean turkey and ham from the local deli, but think again. Processed lunch meats are loaded with sodium to keep them usable for as long as possible. You’ll do much better for yourself by buying the unprocessed meat, cooking it and slicing it up yourself.
15. Most smoothies
Here we are with fruits and vegetables again. Yes, smoothies can contain a lot of great vitamins and minerals from the healthy foods they’re made of, but most of them are also very high calorie. They’re great if you’re going to miss a meal, but to use them as an addition to your meal will probably increase your pant size.
16. Dried fruit
Didn’t realize fruit would be such an issue did you? The problem with dried fruits is that most are loaded with added sugar. So, if you’re going to buy foods like these to snack on, just make sure that all you’re getting is the fruit itself. You can even make your own if you’re so inclined.
17. Almost all salad dressings
Just because you’re eating a healthy salad doesn’t mean that you can load it up with high-fat high-calorie salad dressing and call it even. Stick with olive oil and vinegar when you can, or at least choose the low calorie dressings.
18. Frozen meals
Freezer meals and frozen pizzas can be just as tempting as canned soup when you’re in a time crunch. However, they too are loaded with salt to preserve them. This causes you to eat more and your body retains excess water in an attempt to dilute the large volume of salt that you’re taking in. Neither one will get you closer to your weight loss goal so it’s best to avoid these convenience meals altogether.
19. Salted nuts
Although nuts are a great protein source, salted nuts can be your biggest enemy. You continue to reach into the can for handful after handful and before you know it, you’ve consumed more than your daily allotment of calories. You still have to monitor your intake with unsalted nuts, but they’re better for you and you’re less likely to continue to eat them mindlessly due to their lack of sodium.
20. Canned soup
It’s convenient to open a can of soup for lunch or dinner, but doing so may help you pack on extra pounds. The reason soup lasts almost forever is because it is loaded with sodium. And, when you eat high sodium foods, your body has a hard time determining when it is full causing you to eat more than you should or be hungry relatively quickly after finishing your meal. If you want to eat canned soup, then, at least buy the low sodium kind.
Health and Fitness 