Reaching your weight-loss goals will likely require a lot of personal change. In addition to implementing a regular workout plan, you will also need to modify your current diet so that your body starts getting more of the foods that it needs and less of those that it does not. Learning which foods to consume is actually very easy if you stop focusing on what tastes best and start considering which things will supply you with the most energy. Following are five foods that you should certainly keep off you plate when you are attempting to drop pounds.
Fried foods
Some foods are actually perfectly good for your body right until they are breaded and dropped deep into a pot of boiling oil. For instance, chicken breast can be an optimal dietary staple given the lean protein that it supplies. Rolling it in batter and cooking it in high-temperature fats, however, dramatically offsets any nutritional benefits that can be gained. It is always better instead to lightly coat foods that you would normally fry in olive oil. These can then be seasoned and baked in the oven until the desired crispness is achieved. Sliced potato wedges and chicken will taste just as good when cooked in this fashion and they will have a lot less fat.
Processed side dishes
These include everything from seasoned rice and pasta mixes to cans of baked beans. Stop trying to take shortcuts and start preparing some of these things for yourself. If you eat foods that are closest to their natural state, you will get a much higher nutritional value from them, allowing you to feel full and satisfied much longer. More importantly, processed foods tend to have lengthy lists of preservatives, flavor enhancers and other chemicals that are not good for the body. They also contain a lot of unnecessary sodium and sugar.
Specialty coffees and sodas
Although you do not actually have to chew these things, they can certainly derail your weight-loss efforts. Coffee drinks that contain heavy creams and caramel or chocolate syrup are desserts all by themselves. These should not be consumed on a daily basis. It is also important to note that just one small can of soda can include as many as twelve-teaspoons of refined, white sugar or the equivalent amount of corn syrup.
Corn Syrup
Pay no attention to all of the positive advertising that corn syrup has generated over the past several years. Corn does not produce syrup. In fact, in order to get an edible sweetener that is corn-derived, manufacturers put the basic elements of corn syrup through more than seven chemical changes before it is ready for the human palate. Not only is this sweetener unnatural and not good for you, but it is something that the body is not easily able to recognize. Try to consume foods and drinks that are naturally sweet instead or use limited amounts of agave syrup or honey.
Snack cakes and other junk foods
This should be easy and obvious. Anything that lies on the snack aisle is off limits when you are attempting to drop pounds. Sadly, however, many products are marketed to seem healthy and beneficial for dieters even when they are not. A low-calorie brownie will still provide the body with an ample amount of sugar and is likely to induce cravings for further sweet treats. If you absolutely must save your sweet tooth, try snacking on fat-free yogurt or small bits of real, dark chocolate instead.
After several weeks of eating better and implementing a sound, reasonable exercise plan, the understanding of how to live a truly healthy life will simply click. Dieting and exercise do not have to be exhaustive or painful and you do not have to deprive your body of anything that it needs in order to get fit. With a balanced lifestyle, you will find that your body and your weight will slowly fall into balance on their own.
About the Author
Joyce G. is a professional health blogger and writer. She currently partners with Nordictrack.com in raising awareness about the importance of health and fitness. Whether you’re getting ready to rock climb in Yosemite, river raft on the Colorado or simply get ready to fit into that new swimsuit, NordicTrack has the solution. Click here to check our website.
