With diabetes on the rise and nearly 2 billion people overweight, it is time to make a change in your life and avoid food that will cause weight gain. Two thirds of all Americans over age 20 are overweight. Nearly one third of all Americans over age 20 are obese. And worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980. We can’t afford to be overweight and obese because we are ruining our health. Let’s learn how to do something about this now and make a change. Start with learning which foods make us fat. This can help you to avoid the foods that make you gain weight.
1 Artificial Sweeteners
When people turn to diet soda or diet foods to shed some pounds they are sadly mistaken. Because of the artificial sweeteners you can actually gain weight. These chemicals do nothing good for the body and can even cause weight gain. A study found that people who drank two or more diet sodas a day had six times the waistline compared to those who skip the diet soda. Research has also shown that NutraSweet, one of the most popular artificial sweeteners, leads to the same surge of insulin as white carbs because of sweetness detectors in the small intestine. This false blood sugar spike can cause weight gain so skip the fake sugars!
2 White Sugar
A sugar rush always feels good because your energy is boosted but this is temporary and then you have a large crash. And this is not good! White sugar is full of calories that sabotage healthy eating and the more you eat, the more sugar you will crave. And the world is filled with so many people addicted to white sugar. This probably adds to the rage and mood swings of many. When our blood sugars are high we are high, feeling great. When our blood sugar is low, we feel totally run down and exhausted and crave more sugar. It is like a drug addiction to our bodies. And sugar will make you gain weight. Sugar has no vitamins or minerals, just lots of fat-building calories. Watch out for hidden sugars!
There are countless cheeses varying in the aging process, taste, calories and fat content but they all have one thing in common. Cheese contains a large amount of fat and is hard to digest. And poor digestion causes weight gain. Fat has nine calories per gram, protein and carbohydrates have only four. So skip or skimp or your cheese to slim down and shape up this year!
4 Gluten Free Food
Read the labels; they are full of starch and sugar. A study discovered that it was easy to eat too many slices of bread in one sitting. Too little fiber, too many carbs, and lack of nutrients are just a few of the problems with gluten-free products. Going gluten-free means you will be avoiding grains. And avoiding grains means that you will be getting less iron, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folate. Include these 7 gluten-free whole grains millet, quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, buckwheat, cornmeal whole grain (not corn starch), and oats.
5 Processed Foods
Loaded with calories and pretty much no nutrients, processed foods will cause you to gain weight. Diet microwave meals and frozen meals are high in sodium and calorie-rich fat to preserve flavor. Eating them causes you to retain water in your arms and legs, leaving you bloated and completely uncomfortable.
6 Processed Meats
Processed meats include lunch meats, deli meats, sausage, and hot dogs which are high in calories, fat, sodium and low in nutritional content. In fact the majority of calories in processed meat come from fat and most of this is saturated fat. Too much salt in your body leads to water retention and bloating. And no amount of processed meat is considered safe to eat, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. So skip the cold cuts, slim down and make more healthy food choices.
7 Fats and Oils
Fat and oils are fattening especially when they come as deep fried foods and baked goods. Fats and oils also contain 120 calories per tablespoon. Even olive oil has lots of calories even though it has significant health benefits. So skimp on the oils to stay slim and avoid weight gain.
8 Trans Fats
Trans fats are so damaging to your health! Tons of foods contain them but it's the amount that you need to consider. Frozen foods, "ready to eat" foods, and even most processed foods contain high amounts of trans fats which is a big no-no.
9 Refined Grains
Lots of people reach for white rice as a side because it's cheap and easy, however, that's not necessarily a good thing. White rice is bleached making it unnatural because it's extremely processed. If you want to choose rice, pick a whole grain or brown rice because it hasn't been altered.
10 Prepared Fruit Juices
Prepared fruit juices may seem like a healthier alternative to soda, however, they aren't. Even if they're labeled "100% fruit juice" they still contain high amounts of sugar because fruit has natural sugars. A single apple doesn't juice into a cup of apple juice so you're consuming more of the fruit serving than you actually need. Add the coloring and preservatives in there too and you could say fruit juice is pretty bad.
Now that you know the foods that can cause weight gain, steer clear of them and make the best choices for you and your body! You only have one life so make healthy choices to live it right!
Karen Artificial sweetness have helped me stay in shape for years and have helped my teeth from sugar damage. Again everything in moderation!
Sammy Cheese is fine for you, everything in moderation as long as you follow the proper portions there is no reason to give certain things up. You also need a certain amount of fats In your diet but the proper fats.
Elley I will never give up cheese. I can't do it.
SweetieAy I really dislike some of this authors posts sometimes. She comes across as an authoritative figure of nutrition and she isn't. Just because certain weight loss tactics worked for some people doesn't mean it works for everyone. Stop grouping people into a category that says avoid this and that. Individuals can eat whatever they want in whatever moderation they want.
TorriWyatt Yeah, fine, but if I want 1 ice cream cone in the summer when I'm on the beach that's not going to kill me is it? Moderation is the key!
theironbunny It's the OVERCONSUMPTION of calories that makes u gain weight! Wether it's gluten free or not (lol)
Therese A lot of these advices are so wrong.. Please read up on recent dietary advise, and consult a nutritionist or a doctor to get help setting up a diet that works for you! If you just cut out certain foods, you can end up with deficiencies.
Mitch oh my! the cheese??? :(
Tt Gluten free has nothing to do with weight gain...I lost 40 pounds when going gluten free...it's better because you eat whole grains that aren't fortified or bleached like wheat flour. Get your facts correct before you make a hugely false post.
robynnepaula Let's all just eat air
Aime So, ill just eat ice from now on i guess
Kris Don't go overboard one way or the other. ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
Courtney @Id3: LOL, I have the same thoughts as you. For some reason when reading articles on nutrition I am always left with the thought: "I am so surprised that all of us are not laying dead somewhere with all of this stuff you aren't supposed to eat". 😲 And it's interesting because recently I have read that contrary to the belief, diet sodas AREN'T that healthy for you! 😒 But overall I think that "moderation" can play a key factor.
Id3 Everything makes you gain weight, face it
desilicious I think the tips are helpful and I come from both a past with under eating and over eating. I do think we have to simplify though. I am always scared when people start counting calories on healthful food. You won't get fat eating coconut and olive oil, fruit and veggies! If you eat clean you don't really have to worry too much! And a bit of cheese never hurt anyone! ;)
rosem96 Wow this is about the worst nutritional advice I've ever seen.. As an anorexic 19 year old, i think it's very dangerous to tell people to stay clear of "all fats", "white sugar", "microwave dinners" and much more. The key to healthy eating is nutrition I think. These kind of nutritional recommendations are exactly the thing that triggers people like me to stave themselves just saying.
Wendy Processed, white sugars, fats and oils, artificial sweeteners are BIG no no! Here's a suggestion: Let's grow our own food and eat organic 👍👍