However, these temptations are not the only dangerous ones.
There are much sneakier culprits lurking right in your kitchen.
The problem is that you think some of these foods are healthy.
Foods that parade themselves as health foods only to send your blood sugar skyrocketing are the real issue.
Here are just a few of the foods that will sabotage your diet.
Look, I’m having key lime pie for dessert!
However, she would probably be better off just having a bite of the real thing.
“This all leads to excess sugar with some yogurts having more 15 grams of sugar!
Parfaits can also be culprits especially when non fresh fruit is used.”
“Many consume yogurt for the beneficial bacteria found within it.
Rebecca Lewis,in-house dietitian at HelloFreshagreed.
“Instead add the sweetness from fresh fruits you choose yourself!
Arnett also recommended buying plain yogurt and adding the flavor yourself.
Fruit juice
Your morning orange juice may be worse for you than the bacon and eggs.
Juice is essentially straight sugar going right into our bloodstreams.
“Since all the fiber has been removed, there is no protection against rapidly rising blood sugar.”
Not so according to weight loss coach and Registered DietitianBonnie Klauber.
Liquids tend to digest quickly, meaning that we get hungry again soon,” Klauber told me.”
Instead of drinking orange juice, eat the whole orange instead!"
HelloFresh Dietitian Lewis also explained that even a small amount of fruit juice can be too much.
Agave nectar
Agave nectar certainly sounds healthier than sugar.
Go ahead and eat five of these whole wheat, agave nectar, cacao nib cookies.
However, it seems like agave is just sugar by another name.
“Agave is marketed as a healthy alternative to sugar.
Most high fructose corn syrup is between 50 and 60 percent.”
Rather than bingeing on “healthy” desserts, go for a few bites of the real thing.
You’ll be more satisfied and your body will actually be able to process that fuel.
However, the salad dressing may be just as bad for you as whatever your friends are having.
“Only two tablespoons of most regular dressings contain approximately 200 calories of just fat.
Many salads contain more than two tablespoons of dressing, adding an extra 200 calories or more.”
So what if you really do love salads?
Peanut butter
I adore peanut butter.
I start most mornings by stirring a heaping spoonful of it into my oatmeal.
I need the protein, right?
Well after doing a little research, I may start measuring my spoonful.
“One tablespoon is 100 calories, which barely covers a half of an English muffin.
Instead, dip celery in low-fat dressing or measure one tablespoon of peanut butter and enjoy.”
Warning: I’ve actually measured one tablespoon of peanut butter.
You’re going to be sorely disappointed.
Nuts
Nuts are a great snack for anyone trying to eat healthier.
However, they are calorie-dense, so it is important to pay attention to portions.
“Nuts and trail mixes are super healthy, but people are eating too much,” explained Shedorick.
“A quarter of a cup of nuts is about 200 calories.
Many people are grabbing handfuls throughout the day or sitting with the jar.”
There is just something wrong about fat-free cookies.
They need the fat for the richness and texture.
So if the fat has been removed, what replaced it?
Be wary of low-fat foods when one of the first three ingredients listed is sugar," warned Lewis.
So eating those unsatisfying fat-free cookies could actually make you feel hungrier.
Zero-calorie sweeteners
Another too-good-to-be-true offender is zero-calorie sweeteners.
Sugar contains calories, so how could a snack or drink taste sweet, but have no calories?
Something is not right.
“Instead, use real sugar, but in moderation.
Remember the recommendations are for no more than 48 grams or 12 teaspoons per day!”
However, that smoothie may just be a sugar bomb in disguise.
“Some smoothie bars add six servings of fruit to make a 12-ounce smoothie, yikes!”
Lockwood recommends creating your own at home.
Start with a vegetable, such as kale, spinach, carrots, or beets.
Then add some protein to keep your blood sugar level stable.
Some good protein sources include nuts, nut butter, or flaxseed.
The go ahead and add a cup of fruit.
Green smoothies
Green smoothies are especially tricky.
We often assume they are healthy purely because of their color.
This means that there are more greens and veggies in the smoothies rather being fruit packed."
Tomorrow morning instead of whipping up a smoothie on the run, sit down and chew your food.
You’ll probably feel more satisfied and may even end up eating less throughout the day.
They can be very high in sugar and calories, even if the package looks healthy.
Always read those labels before throwing one in your grocery cart.
Low-calorie snacks
You know those little 100-calorie snack packs?
They always disappoint, don’t they?
They may also make you eat more later.
“You want to pay more attention to the ingredients than the 100-calorie count.
If a snack is made from refined ingredients, then you will not actually experience weight loss.”
Next time you’re grocery shopping, spend some time reading food labels.
Ideally, you should be able to pronounce everything that you’re about to eat.
“Losing weight is more about reducing inflammation and imbalance than calories,” explained Goldseker.
When you don’t eat enough calories, you only end up slowing down your metabolism and feeling unsatisfied.
Eat your favorite foods in moderation, and cut yourself some slack!
