You’re hitting the gym, you’re following all the advice and you’re munching on salads – so why aren’t you losing weight? Believe it or not, some of the foods you THINK are healthy may actually be hindering your weight loss. It’s important to consider all the other factors that come into play too: exercise, gut health, genetics, and bad habits. And of course, diet! Check out all the ways that those extra calories are sneaking up on you.
Avocado Adds Up
Avocados are not only delicious, they’re packed with healthy fatty acids – but that doesn’t mean you should pack them onto your waistline! A sliver of avocado on your salad or toast is enough.
Too Much of the Tipple
Red wine might have some health benefits, but not if your glass is the size of a fishbowl! Moderate your intake by pouring that Cabernet Sauvignon into a measuring cup first.
Extra Energy or Just Extra?
If you’re heading out for some serious physical activity, an energy bar is a great way to give you the boost you need. But if you’re just sitting at your desk, all that sugar is going to stay right where you are – on your butt!
The Brain Game
A diet of junk food will make your brain think that no other food tastes as good. Change your own mind with the 80:20 rule: eat healthy food 80% of the time and allow “treats” only 20% of the time, so that your brain knows they’re special.
Going Nuts
Nuts are a terrific way to add extra protein, Omega-3 and fiber to your diet – but they also add a lot of extra calories. Nip your nut-intake by measuring out your serving sizes, rather than grabbing handfuls. 7 almonds is enough if you’re on a diet, while 4 half nuts is the max. your body needs per day.
Cereal Shocker
We know that breakfast helps kick-start your metabolism in the morning – but a bowlful of sugar and cocoa is only going to kick your weight loss efforts to the carb…hum, I mean curb! Before you fill up on frosted flakes, check the nutrition label on the box: a good cereal is one that is mostly whole-grain based and contains less than 10g of sugar per serving.
Gluten-Free Gremlins
Many gluten-free products maintain their texture and flavor with added sugars and starches- and calories. If you’re on a gluten-free diet, choose foods that are naturally free from gluten such as grains, fruits and vegetables.
Calorific Caffeine
Sure, caffeine speeds up the metabolism – but not if it’s in a frothy latte with sugar, creamy milk, and all those fatty toppings we love so much! Save your metabolism from extra work by going black.
Sucker for Salads
Leafy green salads are one thing, but adding croutons, nuts, cheese and creamy dressings can turn your skinny snack into a super snack. Limit your toppings to a healthy vinaigrette and instead, pack on those veggies.
Check That Cheese
Low-fat cheese doesn’t mean you can have a double serving – it’s still going to add up! Satisfy your cravings with small servings of full-fat cheeses instead, such as feta or goat’s cheese.
Sneaky Smoothies
Guzzling down a glassful of fruit, yogurt and veggies might sound like the healthiest thing on the planet, but take a minute to calculate all the calories in each food you’re blitzing. That smoothie snack could actually account for a whole meal!
Tricky Tofu
Health nuts swear by the health benefits of tofu and they’re not wrong: tofu is rich in protein, iron and calcium. But go easy on the oil – tofu soaks it up like a sponge. Just 50 grams per day is enough.
Caught Out By Ketchup
Tomatoes may be healthy – but ketchup isn’t just tomatoes! There’s a pile of sugar, salt and added flavorings in that sauce which can quickly double the calories in your dinner!
Souped-Up on Sodium
A bowl of soup can be a wonderfully healthy meal – unless it’s a sodium-laden soup from a can. Check the nutrition label first or, better yet, make your own soup at home and pack it with nutritious veggies!
Hold The Ice
Tea is well-known for its healthy antioxidant properties – but the delicious sugary beverages known as “iced tea” are a whole different story. Skip the extra cals by pouring yourself a good old-fashioned cup of tea: your hips will SO thank you for it!
Serial tea drinker. Professional wig snatcher. Content creator and video script writer who may or may not be John Leguizamo’s body double. If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.
