Top 10 Foods To Avoid to LOSE WEIGHT

Have you been trying to lose weight but aren't having much success? If you are, you definitely are not alone. I've found that in many cases, there are certain pet foods that people just hang onto that keep them from their goals. In this blog, we are going to go over 10 foods that you need to get rid of if you want to have success.

 If you're trying to lose weight, it's important to pay attention to the foods you're eating. Some foods are more calorie-dense and nutrient-poor than others and can sabotage your weight loss efforts if consumed in excess. So what are the foods that are getting us in trouble? Most everybody struggles with losing weight. It's not a normal natural thing for our bodies and sometimes we just struggle to know where to start.

 Exercise is important but it's only a small part of the picture. It really boils down to finding ways of eating that work for you and your body. But, no matter what eating plan you go with as you are trying to lose weight, there are certain foods that we know are going to get you in trouble. This isn't going to be exhaustive because frankly there are tons of foods out there that aren't good for you but these are some of the most common that I see causing my patients trouble.

1. French Fries:

The first is one of my downfalls. That's the blessed French fries and potato chips. Nothing beats fresh McDonald's French fries but it wreaks havoc on your waistline. French fries and potato chips are very high in calories, are easily broken down and converted to sugar in the body and quickly can turn to fat. Several studies show that consuming French fries and potato chips is linked to weight gain and one showed that potato chips may contribute to more weight gain per serving than any other food. So eliminating these or keeping them at a minimum is important if you are trying to slim that waist.

2. Sugary Drinks

 Sugary Drinks, this probably should be number one as it is probably one of the worst things for you that we consume on a regular basis. They have a strong association with weight gain. One study I read a while back showed that one can a day of non-diet soda put on 10 pounds in the average person a year. They have a lot of calories but your brain doesn't recognize them as food so it doesn't make you feel full and you are much more likely to overdo it on your calories in a very big way. So do yourself a favor and stick to some cool water with lemon.

 3. White Bread:

White bread is the chewable version of sugar drinks. When wheat is processed into white flowers, they strip away most of the fiber and nutrients that cause the grain to be digested slowly. Instead, it is converted quickly to sugar in the body and increases your sugar levels. As well, because there isn't as much fiber you are much more likely to eat more of it. Because of all of this, we see a subsequent spike in insulin which is your enemy when you are trying to lose weight. If you are going to be eating bread, make sure it is whole grain and still keep your portions low. 

4. Candy bars:

This really shouldn't even be considered food but for some a big temptation. These are candy bars. These, of course, are very unhealthy and are the perfect mix of sugar, refined flour, and oils. There aren't many other foods that can pack in as many calories in a small package as you find in a candy bar. The worst part about them is they usually are placed in strategic places in the store so that when we are bored, hungry and waiting in line they are right there for the taking. Resist the temptation and stay away from them if you want to make progress in your goals. 

5. Fruit Juice:

It sometimes tricks some of us because we think it is healthy. This is Fruit Juice. Fruit is a great way to take care of that sweet tooth and in moderation is a very healthy part of a diet. The problem though is when we drink it as juice. The first problem is that most commercially available fruit juice still isn't just juice. There are often times added sugars that make this worse. But even if it is 100% juice, it can still hold you back when you are trying to lose weight. The problem is that in the making of the juice they usually get rid of all the pulp, fiber, and other things that come with the fruit itself. Doing so makes it much easier for your body to absorb the sugars, increasing your insulin and making you gain weight. Because you don't have all the extra fiber as well, it is much easier to consume more calories than you would if you just ate the fruit. So, if you are trying to shed a few, stick with the whole fruit and pass on that morning glass.

6. Pastries, cookies, and cakes:

There is an incredible French pastry cafe in Salt Lake City, Utah called Gourmandise that if you are ever in the area, do not stop by because you will definitely fall off your diet wagon. That place is incredible. But if you are trying to make progress in your weight loss journey partaking in these kinds of things will not get you where you want to go. They are also filled with refined sugars and flours and oftentimes oils that really get in the way of your goals. Many of the store-bought kinds as well are full of trans fatty acids which are also harmful when it comes to cholesterol and heart disease. One of the big problems with these kinds of foods as well is that because they are high in sugars and low in nutrients you are more likely to get hungry faster after eating them. 

 7. Alcohol and  Beer:

We all know about the beer belly and that is with good reason. Beer specifically is much like soda or other sugary drinks. It contains a lot of carbs that just like everything else we are talking about today will increase your blood sugar triggering the insulin response and will bring on that weight gain. So, If you are trying to lose weight, you may want to consider cutting back on alcohol or skipping it altogether.

8. Ice Cream:

It is another guilty pleasure of mine but will get you in trouble quickly. I hate to even say it, but it is Ice Cream. There's nothing better than a bowl of ice cream but unfortunately, it's not very healthy. It is super high in calories and is loaded with sugar. Small amounts occasionally can be fine but the problem is that it is easy to eat a lot in one setting. Doing things like making your own ice cream and using less sugar and more natural ingredients can help. Also, serve it in a smaller bowl, and don't eat out of the carton so you keep your portion smaller.

9. Pizza:

 We all love a slice of pizza but it is very high in calories and usually is made from refined flour and processed meats. Because of that, it is easy to overeat. It's just about the perfect combination of carbs and unhealthy fats and that's what gets us in trouble. Better options are some of the cauliflower crusts, thin crusts, or making it at home with more whole grain and healthier toppings.

10. Coffee drinks:

If you want to lose weight you have to avoid high-calorie coffee drinks. Starbucks is not your friend. One of the biggest offenders on their menu is the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. Their large beverage comes in at a whopping 590 Calories. It has 26 grams of fat and 76 grams of sugar. Yikes, that will not help you get into that swimsuit you are wanting to wear. Any kind of liquid empty calories is not going to help you get to your goals so stay away from the Starbucks line, and save yourself a lot of money and a lot of excess calories.

Extra Tips:

So as you can see from this list, there are a lot of things in common with the foods that we have discussed. They are all highly processed junk foods that are loaded with added sugar, refined flour, and added fats. These are the types of foods that are responsible for our current obesity epidemic but fortunately staying away from them can go very far in helping you with your weight loss goals.

Now I'm not trying to say that you can never have anything like these but they really should not be part of your typical diet. Look at the labels, and avoid foods with added sugars and fats. Stay away from things that are processed. The closer you can get to a whole-food diet the better off you are going to do. So now you know about 10 of the top foods that you need to avoid to help you lose weight. It certainly isn't an all-inclusive list, there are plenty of other foods out there that you should avoid.

So our question of the day is: What is the most difficult thing that you need to give up that is keeping you from your healthy eating goals? Let us know in the comments below.