Deciding to lose weight is not easy, especially if you eat high-calorie and fatty foods. More than 66 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, reports MedlinePlus. Being overweight or obese can lead to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, some cancers and other health conditions. Adjusting your diet to exclude certain foods can help you lose weight and improve your overall health.
Sugary Foods
Sugary foods can be a roadblock when you are trying to lose weight, as sugar is calorie-dense, which can lead to weight gain. The American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 100 calories, or 6 tsp., of added sugar daily while men need a maximum of 150 calories, or 9 tsp. Added sugars can be found in syrups and other condiments or sweeteners that are added to foods at the table or during preparation/processing. Examples of other sugary foods include cakes, cookies, enriched cereals and breads.
Salty Foods
Consuming salty foods is not recommended if you are trying to lose weight. Sodium-packed foods affect the chemical balance in your body and cause it to retain more water. The American Heart Association, or AHA, suggests you consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily. Examples of salty foods include salted nuts, canned fruits and vegetables, salad dressings, beef, pork, seasonings, condiments and commercially prepared meals.
Fatty Foods
According to "Digestive Wellness" by Elizabeth Lipski, eating saturated or other unhealthy fats can lead to weight gain. They can also increase bad cholesterol levels in your blood, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and other related conditions. The AHA suggests you reduce saturated fat intake to 7 percent or less of your total daily calories. Examples of saturated fat sources include fast food, fried foods, luncheon meat, bacon, ham, whole dairy products, commercially prepared foods, coconut oil and palm oil.
Refined Grains
You should restrict or limit your consumption of refined grains, including enriched cereals, white bread, white rice, de-germed cornmeal and white flour. Refined grains contain deficient nutrition amounts, which can slow up your metabolism and cause weight gain. Whole grains are a beneficial alternative to refined grains. They contain substantial amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals, which can promote healthy body functions as you lose weight, notes "Digestive Wellness." Examples of whole grains include whole cornmeal, brown rice, wild rice, rye, oatmeal, spelt, barley and bulgur.
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