Often touted as healthier alternatives, diet foods can help you control calories and burn fat. However, not all diet foods are actually good for you – some of them can actually be worse for your waistline and muscle tone than their non-diet counterparts. Limit your intake of the following “diet foods” to keep your weight-loss goal intact.
1. Trail Mix – Trail mix is often thought of as a healthy food option because of its association with outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking. With that being said, it actually is quite high in calories. Many trail mixes contain chocolate, salt and oils that are not beneficial to those trying to control their weight. Instead of eating a whole pack of trail mix, eat only a handful of it. Better yet, replace trail mix altogether with a men’s whey protein shake, which packs more protein and fewer calories. “How to Control Your Appetite” offers more suggestions for portion control.
2. Veggie Chips – A lot of people are under the impression that veggie chips are healthy because they include vegetables in their recipe. While they are generally healthier than regular potato chips, they still have a high fat content and quite a bit of calories – not to mention a high sodium content that can affect athletic performance. They’re also sorely lacking in the satiety department – you won’t feel full after a bag of these nutrient-void chips. Avoid these and pick something more filling like a handful of almonds or a smoothie with a scoop of whey protein powder.
3. Olive Oil – It is no secret that olive oil presents many health benefits, but sometimes people take this a step too far. Because of its high fat content, a little bit of this oil packs a high-calorie punch. Nevertheless, there’s no reason to avoid this oil. Simply use it in moderation to get the health benefits without the weight gain. “How to Cut Calories” offers more solutions for managing calorie intake.
4. Protein Bars – Protein bars are often recommended as a healthy snack, but they’re almost as bad for you as candy bars. They’re loaded with artificial sweeteners and ingredients, and most of them taste pretty bad. If you want a delicious muscle-building boost, check out MenScience Whey Formula, which contains three types of whey for maximum muscle growth. A men’s creatine supplement is another must-have if you want to unlock your body’s true muscular potential. “The Best Workout Supplements for Men” explains these products in further detail.
5. Frozen Healthy Meals – The frozen food section of any grocery store has frozen lunches and dinners that appear to be healthy. While they are low in fat and calories, they have very high concentrations of sodium and other preservatives that may prove detrimental to your health. Skip these altogether and make a little extra time in your schedule to prepare fresh meals. “Healthy Lunch Ideas for Men” offers some great suggestions for a healthy midday meal.
6. Fruit Juice – Juice is an item that almost always has a healthy reputation. While this is true in some cases, most juices sold in stores contain extremely high amounts of sugar and processed syrups. You might even be better off having a soda than some of the processed juices available. If you need a sweet fix, consider throwing some fruit into your protein drink; a homemade whey shake is a much healthier alternative than a sugar-laden juice.
