The first thing most people do when they go on a diet is raid their kitchens and throw away all foods that contribute to weight gain — such as boxes of cookies, bags of potato chips, and any other high-sugar, high-sodium items. However, there may be some foods lurking in your kitchen that you might not suspect are still contributing to weight gain, or that could be preventing you from losing the amount of weight you desire.
Is your kitchen completely healthy even though you think you’ve cleaned it out? Review this list to see if any of these foods are continuing to take up room in your kitchen, and learn about healthy food swaps you can make to replace them.
1. Margarine
Many margarine brands may boast that they’re low in fat and calories, but in reality, margarine is still often loaded with man-made ingredients and chemicals that can slow down your weight-loss efforts and harm your overall health.
If you’re using margarine as a spread, consider switching to organic, unsalted butter. If you’re using margarine just for cooking, switch to using olive oil, avocado oil, hemp seed oil, and other natural oils. Even though the calorie count may be slightly higher, your health and weight-loss efforts will benefit from the healthy fatty acids.
2. Salad dressing
Most store-bought, pre-made salad dressings are often loaded with calories, sugar, salt, and man-made ingredients that can be bad for your health. Even salad dressings labeled as low-fat, fat-free, or low in calories are still high in sugar compared to their normal counterparts. Toss out all salad dressings, and start making your own at home. Plus, if you’re eating salads regularly, you may be better off consuming healthy fats to help your body better absorb the nutrients in your healthy greens. Mix a tablespoon of olive oil with your favorite seasonings, and use this as salad dressing instead of store-bought dressings that will only hinder your weight-loss efforts.
3. Processed lunch meats
Processed lunch meats, including lean cuts of turkey, are often loaded with chemicals and sodium — both of which can lead to bloating and weight gain. According to nutritionist Tori Holthaus, MS, RD, founder of YES! Nutrition, LLC, research has linked processed meat to heart disease and early death. Stop buying processed lunch meats, and go instead for meats you’ve cooked up at home. If you feel that you lack the time in your busy schedule to prepare and cook lunch meat, throw some in your slow cooker, and divide it up into portion sizes at the end of the day so you can eat it all week long.
4. Canned produce
Canned fruits and vegetables are often loaded with sugar, salt, and man-made preservatives to help maintain freshness. Stop buying canned produce, and buy fresh produce instead. Not only does fresh produce lack additives, but it often contains a higher amount of nutrients since the food isn’t being processed in any way.
