Are you one of the 45 million?
We’re talking about the 45 million people who go on a diet every year in America. Most of those millions will fail. And that could be because they’re making the process of losing weight much too complicated.
Small changes can make a big impact on weight loss. And there’s no reason to follow a fancy diet plan if you get super frustrated and quit anyway.
Here are the three worst foods for weight loss. If you can cut back on these foods, you’re sure to lose some weight in the process.
Kick Out the Coke
Many of us don’t realize the number of calories we consume in our beverages. One can of regular soda can have anywhere from 140 to 180 calories. Those calories come almost entirely from sugar and they’ll cause you a serious blood sugar spike.
Sugary drinks aren’t limited to the kind you find in the soda aisle at the grocery store. Other sugary drinks, like fruit juices, sweetened coffee, and bottles sports drinks pose the same problems as soda. They have too many empty calories to make it worth your while.
Water is, of course, always best to keep your body hydrated and happy. If you miss that fizzy goodness, try substituting unsweetened sparkling water for soda. You can add frozen berries to the drink to give it a sweet kick.
Bench the Booze
There are a ton of conflicting opinions about whether or not alcohol (in limited quantities) is good for our bodies. Some say that a glass of red wine can help, rather than hinder, your weight loss efforts.
But if you really want to lose weight, it’s better to bench the booze altogether. Alcohol falls into the same “empty calories” category as soda and fruit juice. It’s made up mostly of sugar and it doesn’t really serve your body in any way.
Plus, alcohol brings on dehydration and can cause cravings. Add to those cravings the fact that you’re a little bit tipsy, and you might throw your weight loss dreams out the window for a bucket of chicken wings and a side of awesome blossom.
Stick to club soda with a twist of lime when you’re out on the town. It looks and feels like an alcoholic beverage with none of those extra calories.
Park the Potatoes
When we say you should cut back on potatoes, we’re primarily talking about the fried variety. French fries, potato chips, tater tots, and hash browns all fall into this category.
Fried potatoes are often full of lots of unhealthy fats, which is what restaurants use to cook them. They also don’t carry much in the way of other nutrients, like fiber and protein. Fried potatoes won’t keep you full very long, which means you’ll eat more calories than necessary if you indulge in these too often.
Instead of fried potato sides, choose sweet potatoes instead. They’re full of lots more nutrients and fiber to nourish your body and keep you full longer. And if you’re concerned about getting your nutrients, these six popular supplements assist with weight loss.
Avoid the Worst Foods for Weight Loss, Give Yourself a Fighting Chance
Dieting doesn’t need to be complicated. Simply avoid some of the worst foods for weight loss and substitute healthier choices to make a big difference.
Looking for more weight loss advice? Check out our Live Healthy section for tips and tricks to drop those extra pounds!