When you’re trying to lose weight, your diet is a bit of a balancing act. There are foods you should be avoiding, but there are also foods you should be eating more of. In this article, Beauty and Tips takes a look at both what you should and shouldn’t eat as you look to shed some pounds.
Unfortunately, not all calories are created equal!
This means that different foods don’t go through the same metabolic pathways.
In other words, just like there are foods that help you lose weight, there are also foods that put more weight on you.
Sigh. How are we supposed to know which does which?!
Well, you could take a look at our list below. Let’s separate the good from the bad, as we take a look at what you shouldn’t eat when you are trying to lose weight.
But first, let’s take a look at what you should eat more of …
Eggs
If we’d have told you ten years ago that you should eat more eggs to lose weight, you would probably have left this website in disbelief already.
“Beauty and Tips told me to eat more eggs to lose weight! Can you believe it?!”
“O.M.G.”
However, eggs are back, and should be a key part of your diet plan. Why? Because they’re rich in protein and good fats, and leave you feeling fuller for longer.
Which is exactly why they make for a hearty breakfast that keeps you going until midday.
Don’t be scared of eggs. Embrace them in their many guises, from poached to scrambled.
Leafy Greens
As you bid to lose weight, you need to add more greens to your plate. Your mom tried (and probably failed) to add greens to your plate when you were a kid. But it’s now time to consume as many leafy greens as possible.
Spinach, kale and swiss chards should all be added to your weekly shop. They don’t have many calories, and they’re also low in carbs. Crucially, they’re rich in dietary fibre.
Adding greens to your plate is a great way to get more nutrients, and it’s also an easy peasy way of making you feel more fulfilled.
And in case you’re worried that greens taste too bland, just experiment with your seasoning. Add the likes of ginger and pepper for a bit of a kick.
Tuna
Tuna is a gorgeous fish to eat. However, if you are to eat tuna to help you lose weight, it’s important that you refrain from mixing it with mayo. It’ll be counter-productive!
Tuna is a lean fish, which means it’s rich in protein but low in fat. It’s also not got too many of those big, bad calories.
Beans
Not all beans and legumes support your weight loss goals, but lentils, kidney beans and black beans do.
These guys are loaded with fibre and protein, two power nutrients that can keep you feeling full for as long as possible.
Okay, now for the bit you didn’t want to hear. Here is a list of (delicious) foods that you need to avoid as you try to lose weight.
French Fries
We figured that we may as well start as we mean to go on. From now on, it’s likely that you’ll need to cut out your favourite foods, such as French fries.
There is a rumour that French fries actually aren’t all that bad for us. But if you’re trying to lose weight and you’re still eating French fries, they could be the reason you can’t shift the pounds.
Despite being potatoes, French fries have little redeeming qualities. They’re soaked in fat, and they may also contain substances known as acrylamides, which are linked with cancer.
Avoid. Swap for healthier white potatoes instead.
Canned Soup
Lots of us eat canned soup because it’s convenient. It tastes good, fills a corner and doesn’t take a minute to heat up. It’s cheap, too.
Canned soup is also rich in sodium, which can cause excess weight gain.
You can still eat low-sodium canned soup, but the rest you should avoid.
Frozen Meals
Frozen meals are also really popular because they’re so convenient. But by the very nature of them being frozen, they come with preservatives that cause weight gain – such as salt.
From now on, avoid convenience meals and prepare your own dishes. It will take more time, but it’ll bring you closer to your weight loss goals.
Soda
Nope, despite what everyones told you, you can’t even drink diet soda.
All sodas are the enemy of your weight-loss plan. They want to scupper it.
Sure, soda isn’t stuffed with calories. But the calories they do contain only cause you to want to eat more food to fill yourself up.
Moreover, soda has for a long time been linked with obesity. It’s rich in sugar, an empty calorie which is stored away until your body eventually turns it into fat.
White Bread
It kinda sucks that the type of bread you have to give up if you’re trying to lose weight also happens to be the most popular type.
But when you’re trying to lose weight, you basically have to give up plenty of things that have for a long time been like a close friend to you. And white bread is one of them.
Being high on the glycemic index, as white bread is, means that food is highly refined.
This means it’s rich in added sugar.
Which means it causes weight gain.
From now on, try brown bread, or even almond flour bread if you want to be fancy.
“Hey friends! Want some avocado on almond flour bread?”
Alcohol
Let’s end on a particularly joyous note! Yes, you should try to avoid alcohol when you are trying to lose weight.
This means cocktails with the girls and wine after work are all out for now.
We’re kind to you, aren’t we?
(Oh, go on. You can have a sneaky drink now and then. We won’t tell anyone.)
Do you have other tips on what to eat when loosing weight?
Stay happy and healthy!
