I think we've established that most individuals who are overweight are eating too many calories.
However, I'd hate to see someone who is trying to lose weight eat a bunch of non-nutritious low calorie foods.
Not only is a calorie controlled eating plan necessary to be lean, but I'd really like to make sure that the calories you are eating are full of good nutrition.
Here are a 7 food items that may not be ideal for your diet in large quantities, and substitutions for each of them to give you better nutrition:
1) Pasta made from enriched white flour
These easily digested carbs may spike your insulin level.
Eat This: Spaghetti Squash
On those nights when you really crave a big bowl of noodles, try this instead. Poke a spaghetti squash all over then bake at 400 degrees F for 45-60 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to cool, scoop out the seeds and then scrape out the long, noodle-like strands of squash. Serve these healthy noodles with spaghetti sauce and turkey meatballs.
2) Store Bought Salad Dressing
The nutritional benefit of your salad is all but undone by the questionable ingredients in store bought salad dressing. From trans fats to preservatives, store bought salad dressing is a landfill of unnatural ingredients that are best avoided.
Eat This: Simple Homemade Dressing
Making you own salad dressing is so simple, it literally takes less than five minutes, and it tastes so much better freshly made. Here's the equation to use when making your own dressing:
- 3 parts high quality oil - extra virgin olive oil, hemp seed oil, flax seed oil, or sesame seed oil.
- 1 part something acidic - vinegar, lemon, lime
- A dash of salt and fresh ground pepper
- Some fresh or dried herbs
- For extra zing, try adding chopped shallots or a tiny bit of grey poupon mustard
3) Packaged Granola Bars
Packaged bars have one thing going for them - the convenience factor. This convenience comes at a price, as each packaged bar contains more preservatives, carbs, calories and sugars than you should be eating.
Eat This: Raw Nuts
When you need a quick, energizing snack look no further than a handful of raw nuts. This is a great way to cut down on the sugar and other harmful additives in granola bars while still enjoying a convenient energy boost.
4) Blended Coffee Drinks
Coffee chains have made it socially acceptable to sip on a large blended coffee drink topped with whipped cream, anytime and anyplace. Unfortunately your body is going to respond to all that sugar in the only way that it knows how...by storing it as fat. Limit these to a "once in awhile" treat.
Drink This: Unsweetened Iced Tea
The whole idea behind blended coffee drinks is to quench your thirst, but there are more fitness-friendly ways to do so. Double brew 4 cups of your favorite tea - try Chai Rooibos - then chill it in the fridge for a few hours. Serve over ice and sweeten with a sprinkle of Stevia if needed. Guilt-free refreshment.
5) Fast Food Breakfast Sandwiches
The drive thru may be calling you, especially when you've left for work in such a hurry that you forgot to eat breakfast, but don't give in. Fast food breakfast sandwiches are filled with loads of preservatives, trans fats and questionable ingredients. Not to mention these little breakfast bombs contain more calories and fat than you need in the morning.
Eat This: Hard Boiled Eggs and String Cheese or Yogurt
The protein in the eggs and dairy will keep you full.
6) Highly Sweetened Yogurt
Little cups of fruit-flavored yogurts are often marketed as the next best weight loss secret, but you know better. These ultra-sweet concoctions are filled with sugars, corn syrup and preservatives, which will derail your fitness results and send you on a sugar high. Read the label on your yogurt!
Eat This: Plain Greek Yogurt with Fruit
Plain Greek yogurt has more protein and far less sugar than the cute little fruit-flavored yogurt cups. Dress it up by adding your own, chopped fresh fruit.
7) Potato Chips
Around three o'clock in the afternoon, when that vending machine is calling out your name, remember this fact: Studies suggest that a potato chip habit caused subjects to gain weight even faster than an ice cream habit. This is likely due to all the preservatives, trans fats, empty calories and salt, and how hard it is to each just a few.
Eat This: Bake Kale Chips Kale chips are crunchy and satisfying, just like potato chips, yet you're able to crunch away guilt-free. Filled with fiber, protein and real food nutrients, this is one crunchy snack that won't expand your waistline. Here's how to make them at home: Wash and tear one bunch of kale into chip-sized pieces. Toss with a Tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees F for 12-15 minutes.
The quickest and most permanent way to lose weight and feel amazing is through a combination of healthy eating and consistent, challenging workouts.
I'm here to help you meet your fitness and weight loss goals.
You deserve that fit and attractive body - I can help you get it.
Call or email today and together we will get you on the path to your best body ever.
Need a quick breakfast or snack item that won't erase that awesome workout you just did this morning? Whip up a batch of these gluten and sugar free mini muffins and stock your fridge with the perfect on-the-go snack. Servings: 24 mini muffins 