When you are trying to lose weight, it's all about the calories--you must take in fewer than you expend or, in other words, create a caloric deficit. Unfortunately, many convenience foods masquerading as diet-friendly options are, in fact, fattening foods. Avoid these high-calorie diet disasters to keep the scale moving in the right direction.
Frozen Yogurt
While full-fat ice cream consumption continues to decline, many still believe that frozen yogurt is a low-calorie option. While non-fat frozen yogurt contains less fat than ice cream, it is usually full of sugar and calories. In addition, many frozen yogurt varieties are low in calcium and protein.
Frozen Meals
While the portion sizes of frozen entrees are usually modest, the caloric values may not be so modest. So, these meals will often leave you hungry for more and many are also high in fat and sodium, making them a less healthful choice.
Popcorn
Air-popped popcorn is a high-fiber, whole-grain and a low-calorie snack. However, store-bought oil-popped popcorn can be a diet disaster; full of fat, sodium and calories. Even if you avoid the butter, you might be surprised how little that helps.
Jam and Preserves
Perhaps you've decided to avoid topping your toast with butter to cut calories. Bravo! Just be careful if you are replacing that butter with jam or preserves. These are high in sugar and, on average, provide 50 calories in 1 tbsp.
Fruit Smoothies
Fruit smoothies are popular "health" drinks, but, particularly if they are juice-based, are high in sugars and may contain hundreds of calories. Beware; particularly if you are accompanying a smoothie with a "real meal."
Sugar-Free Candy
Sugar-free hard candies are not calorie-free. A few pieces can easily cost you a hundred calories, without filling you up. Unfortunately, few things in life are "free."
Flavored Waters
While some of these bottled beverages are sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners and are calorie-free, others are not. One serving, or half a bottle, may cost you 50 calories. If you want to do something good for your health, flavor plain water with a fruit wedge or a cucumber slice.
Salads
Salads are known for being diet-friendly. However, with toppings that range from croutons to shredded cheese to bacon bits--the calories can be higher than a fast-food sandwich, and that's not even including the dressing.
Coffee Drinks
You may feel virtuous ordering a "tall skim mocha" but you may be mistaken. While skim milk is low in calories and a diet-friendly addition to coffee--many gourmet coffeehouse items are flavored with high-calorie syrups.
Tuna Salad
Water-packed tuna is low in calories and high in protein and heart-health omega-3 fats. Unfortunately tuna salad has mayonnaise added to it. While you may think that a bit of mayonnaise won't impact your diet, just keep in mind that 1 oz. has more than 100 calories.
Member Comments