20 Diet Foods That Are Making You Fat
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Diet foods are the new fad today to aid weight loss. It consists of any food or beverage that is low in fat content and carbohydrates, or consists of alternatives such as honey in place of sugar. However, most diet foods which are sold ready-made in the stores or at cafes are low in fat but high in sugar content. This spikes up the blood sugar levels and other serious health hazards like liver damage due to fat accumulation in the liver and inflammation of the brain. Contrary to weight loss, these diet foods induce weight gain in people and can even make a person obese.
So which ‘diet’ foods cause weight gain? Here is a list of such foods to help you make the right food choices while you are on a diet so as to help you get desired results.
List of Healthy Foods That Make You Fat
Diet foods are in vogue these days because more and more people want to get slim, trim, and healthy. But do all diet foods help you lose those extra inches off your waist? How do you know which diet food is bad for you and can make you unhealthy? Here is a list of 20 diet foods that can make you fat instead of the other way round.
1. Low-fat Yoghurt
People on a diet refrain from taking anything that has lots of calories in it. Therefore, they switch over from normal yoghurt to low-fat versions. However, it has been observed that fat is often replaced by sugars to keep its taste intact. The sugar spikes up the calorie intake. The person ends up taking in more calories than she would have had she taken full-fat yoghurt.
2. Sweeteners
Many people do not take white sugar due to the fear of gaining weight. Instead, they add sweeteners like coconut sugar or agave to their beverages or food. People presume that these being healthy can be taken as much as they want to. But a word of caution: these too, if taken in excess, can be instrumental in gaining weight. Moreover, some sweeteners like agave contain a lot of calories and are high on fructose which can make you diabetic and also increase your weight. Sugar contains less fructose than agave syrup. The best way to maintain your health is to have your morning or evening cuppa without sugar. If you wish to have a bit of sweetness to your tea or coffee, pour a spoonful of honey. Just remember not to add honey to your beverage when it is steaming hot; it should not be hotter than 40-degree Celsius.
3. Low-calorie Cereals
Low-calorie cereals are very popular these days because more and more people want to start their day with a healthy breakfast. Like low-fat yoghurt, these cereals are low on calories but high on added sugar. This addition of sugar to give it taste, and hinders your weight-loss process. Moreover, there is an absence of proteins and healthy fats in the low-calorie cereals; therefore, they do not keep your stomach feeling full for a long time.
4. Dry Fruits
It is a great snack and is loaded with multi-nutrients and fibre. However, the same quantity of dry fruits contains far more sugar and calories than fresh fruits. Moreover, being a convenient snack, we tend to eat it far more than fresh fruits, thus resulting in more calorie intake.
5. Salads with Dressings and Toppings
Salads if eaten without the additional cheese and mayonnaise can be great for your weight loss process. However, adding toppings and dressings to your otherwise boring salad can make it tasty and high on calories too. The additional ingredients in a salad only add more to your weight.
6. Protein Bars
Some people swear by protein bars as the best snack while they are on a diet. They are great when you need to boost your energy fast after a heavy workout, but some are loaded with sugar and calories that only end with you gaining extra weight instead of shedding.
7. Diet Soda
Diet soda is said to be for those who are on a diet but cannot do without a soda. However, it is considered to be one of the biggest diet mistakes that can make you fat. Too much consumption of diet coke spikes up a person’s blood sugar and blood pressure levels. It also amplifies your risk of metabolic diseases.
8. Coffee
Coffee is said to have a whole lot of goodness. It is said to protect the brain cells from damage that can cause dementia. It is also said to bring down your weight. However, this is only possible if you take black coffee with no sugar. Taking a Latte or cappuccino will only add to your sugar intake, thereby resulting in more weight gain.
9. Energy or Sports Drinks
It is quite common among athletes to have energy drinks. However, these are good only for people who are into intense workouts and energy consuming sports. These drinks have tons of sugar and are high in calories. Therefore, it is advisable for people who want to bring down their weight to stay away from these energy drinks.
10. Fruit Juice
Fruit juice these days is sold in tetra packs and come with the claim of being healthy – but are they really healthy? According to doctors, fruits are best when they are chewed and eaten because they are rich in fibre. Fruit juice on the other hand is loaded with added sugar. This results in high-calorie intakes and weight gain.
11. Baked Chips
Does a packet of baked chips become healthier because it has no oil in it? The answer is a big no. You can say that they are better than fried chips which are loaded with saturated fat. However, the baked version compensates by having lots of sugar and sodium, and also lacks fibre. If you want some crunch to munch on, you can try out some cucumber strips with sesame dip. This would add some nutrients to your body and also make your stomach feel “full” from the fibre and water content in cucumber.
12. Fruits
Although all the fruits are considered to be super healthy and the go-to-food when you are on a diet, there are some fruits that can make you fat – avocados are one of them. They are loaded with fibre, potassium and healthy mono-saturated fats, but overeating them can cause your waist to expand. Even bananas are said to boost your energy, and it is said that it is good to eat a banana before you hit the gym or go for a run. However, just two-three bananas a day can punch you with a 100 kcal. Watermelons are said to be great for people on a diet since it contains less of kcal; however, the same fruit is very high on sugar content.
13. Gluten-free Products
These days, people who are not allergic to gluten also take gluten-free products because they are said to aid weight loss. However, this is a misconception. The truth is that gluten-free products have more calories than those with gluten. Gluten-free products such as cornstarch or brown rice flour are high in calories and hinder weight loss. In case you want to maintain a gluten-free diet, try naturally gluten free products like quinoa or millets.
14. Smoothies
Smoothies, if made at home and with a conscious calculation of calories can be a great meal. However, buying the same at a cafe could mean unwanted calories that you’ve been trying to burn off. A tasty smoothie glass at a juice bar could fill you up by 600-1000 calories. If you want to survive on a smoothie diet, prepare it at home after checking the nutrient contents of all ingredients carefully. All you need to do is blend yoghurt, fruits, and ice to get a healthy at-home smoothie.
15. Nuts
Nuts are great to snack on. They are full of healthy nutrients and vitamins. However, on most occasions, we tend to overeat them. Moreover, the salty ones are full of sodium and fat, which when overeaten can be unhealthy and can up the scale on your weighing machine.
16. Olive Oil
Olive oil is one of the must-haves in every calorie-watchers kitchen. It is said to be a great way to keep your heart healthy and also reduce your weight. But just because it is healthy, it should not be taken in large quantities. You should limit your consumption of olive oil to 2 tablespoons a day. Too much of it will only add to your weight.
17. Dark Chocolate
We always hear that chocolates tend to increase one’s weight; however, that isn’t entirely true. A good brand of dark chocolates is as healthy as green leafy vegetables. It not only helps in weight loss, but also controls blood sugar and food cravings. But wait, that is where we all go wrong. Knowing its health benefits and what good it can do for weight watchers, we tend to over-eat.
18. Muesli
With a mix of cereals, dry fruits and nuts, muesli can be touted as one of the healthiest ways to break your fast in the morning. Try making your own muesli by mixing some lightly toasted rolled out oats with a small quantity of nuts and fruits. This will also help you keep track of the amount of calories you are putting in your system.
19. Tea
Tea is said to be full of anti-oxidants and thus is considered to be great for heart health and is also anti-cancer. However, if tea is taken with loads of sugar and milk, it will take away all its goodness. Moreover, the ice-tea that people take at cafes or tetra packs in stores have loads of sugar. Instead, if you can have tea sans the sugar (or you can add a spoon of honey instead), it will work wonders for your health and also keep you away from adding up those extra kilos.
20. Eggs
It is said that to lose weight, we must include a lot of protein in our diet and egg being the best and cheapest source. However, it is best to stick to boiled eggs when you are on a diet. It is also advisable not to take the egg yolks. Sometimes an omelette also won’t do any harm, but it is best to add a handful of cut veggies. The veggies will add a crunch to your omelette and also fibre, nutrients and an extra taste. On the other hand, adding cheese and meat to it will only end with you gaining weight.
Ready-made diet food is not a healthy way of losing weight. It only hinders your chances of weight loss and also puts a risk on your health. Instead of eating a homemade low carbohydrate, less calorie and high protein diet can do the trick. Moreover, eating small portions 7-8 times a day can increase your metabolic rate, which can result in weight loss. Apart from this, doing half an hour of brisk walking or an hour of yoga everyday will not just help you lose those extra kilos, but also will help you get a fit body and healthy mind.
