Transformers: Unhealthy Foods In Disguise
You may have heard the expression, “you are what you eat.” Well, in regards to weight loss, ‘what you eat’ is almost as important as ‘how much you eat’. Eating a healthy, well balanced nutrition plan will help you lose weight and keep it off.
Most of you think you know which foods are healthy and which ones are not. Below is a list of the top ten foods that people mistakenly believe are healthy.
Salads
“All I eat are salads and I still can’t lose weight”. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard that said. Most people mistakenly believe that salads are healthy. The salads that most people eat cause more weight gain than weight loss.
Salads are unhealthy because of the toppings:
- Creamy Salad Dressings: Most people drown their salads in a creamy salad dressing such as Thousand Island, French, Ranch, etc. These dressings are high in calories and in sugar. Only use these dressings if you are trying to gain weight.
- Oil Dressings: A little extra virgin olive oil with your salad is great. Olive oil is a “healthy” fat with multiple benefits. However, it is high in calories. At over 100 calories per tablespoon, oils should only be used in moderation. Do not drown your salad in oil. Instead make a vinaigrette and put some in a little container. To eat your salad, dip your fork in the dressing before each salad bite.
- Fatty Meats: Bacon and fatty deli meats simply add unnecessary calories to your salad. Instead consider low-fat deli meats, extra lean turkey bacon, other lean meats, or even better beans.
- Fried Chicken: It always amazes me when someone trying to lose weight orders a salad topped with a fried chicken breast. Fried chicken is never part of a weight loss program. Top your salad with a grilled chicken breast instead.
- Croutons and Crackers: Salad + Bread = Sandwich. Keep the bread off of your salad, it just adds unnecessary calories. If you have to have croutons, make your own with 100% whole wheat bread.
- Fatty Cheeses: Fatty cheeses can turn a good salad bad. Choose 1% or fat-free cheeses instead.
- Nuts: Nuts have “healthy” fats, but they are high in calories. Use sparingly.
Smoothies
Most smoothies are not healthy or low calorie. They are made with fruits, but add extra sugar, and/or syrups. Some even add frozen yogurt or ice cream! Fruits are good for you. However, most smoothies have 4-6 fruit servings with no additional fat or protein.
A fruit smoothie is typically high in calories and sugar. This type of meal/snack will lead to weight gain. The situation is made worst when sugar or syrup is added to the smoothie.
Make your smoothie healthier by decreasing the fruits and adding:
- Protein: Drink smoothies that are made with fat-free milk, fat-free yogurt, and/or whey protein powder. Protein will help you to build muscle, boost your metabolism, and stay full longer.
- Fat: Consider adding a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, natural peanut butter, or flaxseed to your smoothie. These healthy fats will help to keep you full longer and improve your overall health.
Transformers: Unhealthy Foods In Disguise (Part 2)
Transformers: Unhealthy Foods In Disguise (Part 3)
Weight loss can be enhanced and better maintained with strength training. For more information on my favorite strength training tool, read my review of the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells.
Photo by Poldavo (Alex).
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