Snacking has to become one of life’s greatest (and most sinful) pleasures. What could be better than chewing on one of your favorite foods when your stomach starts to gurgle? Unfortunately, our taste buds certainly benefit from indulgence, but Our bodies usually don’t. If you’re choosing healthy options, you can snack to your heart’s content (or at least in moderation) without worrying about excess weight. What’s really important is avoiding processed foods that put you at risk for weight gain, illness, and various health complications.
To learn more about the worst processed foods that keep you from hitting your weight loss goals, we spoke with Joann Wen, Certified Weight Loss Coach and Founder of Spices & Greens. She specifically warned against her three: chips, cookies, and ice cream. Luckily, she also shared some great, delicious alternatives. Find them all below!
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#1.chips
Few foods are more addictive and terribly delicious than the infamously salty, chewy potato chips. Who can resist sitting down and devouring an entire bag even if you vowed to eat just a handful as a snack? “Many chips are fried in unhealthy oil and coated with salt, making them very high in calories and unhealthy fats,” she warns. It’s not just about fat. The real problem comes out when you consider the fact that potato chips contain “little to no fiber, which helps keep you feeling full and prevents you from overeating.” Without enough fiber, you’re much more likely to eat fattening foods later in the day, which slows down your weight loss progress.
#2.cookie
If you’re not into salty snacks like potato chips, you might fall into the camp of people who can’t get enough of the sweet stuff. Wen cites cookies as one of his worst culprits. “Cookies are high in sugar and flour, which can cause your blood sugar to spike and fat to accumulate in your belly,” she says. And just like potato chips (and most snacks out there), this sweet treat tends to be very low in fiber. You might end up eating another unhealthy snack or stuffing yourself when dinner rolls around.
#3.ice cream
Oh, ice cream! When it’s time for dessert, it can feel almost impossible to turn down this frozen treat. Ice cream is high in calories and often has a lot of sugar, which can lead to weight gain,” she warns, adding, “It’s often loaded with unhealthy fats as well.” Let’s be honest, most of us don’t eat regular ice cream, but different types of ice cream filled with different flavors and toppings. “Many ice cream flavors have empty calories from syrups and other flavors,” points out Weng. is much better.
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healthier snacks
Now, if you want to get slim, it’s a little easier to stay away from junk foods like the suspect above. , Wen offers several options.
If you’re looking for a way to curb the creamy cravings you miss when you skip ice cream, you can eat yogurt-based snacks instead. Plus, yogurt is a good source of probiotics and has been linked to reduced belly fat,” she says.
Other healthy snacks include those made with whole grains (they’re high in fiber so you’ll stay full longer!) and fruit-based snacks that provide tons of vitamins and minerals to help you lose weight. We can’t promise that anything that will help you lose weight will taste as good as a sugary chocolate chip cookie, but whether you want to lose weight or not, there are healthier options out there. I can promise you that your choice will pay off in the long run. Or check your overall health. As Wen concludes, “Your waistline will thank you!”
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