If weight loss is your ultimate goal, experts say that reassessing and analyzing what you eat every day is one important step to take. In addition to frequent hydration, regular exercise, and a consistent sleep schedule, it is important to have a balanced diet to lose weight in a healthy way. We checked in with a health professional to learn more about the five common seasonings that you can sneak in extra calories without your knowledge and what replaces them instead. Read tips and suggestions from Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, Registered Dietitian, Lisa Richards, Registered Dietitian, Jesse Feder, RDN, CPT, Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer.
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Ketchup with sugar
The first seasoning that people who want to lose weight should avoid is ketchup, which contains a sufficient amount of sugar, Best says. Manufacturers have begun offering ketchup varieties without the addition of sugar, but most consumers continue to look to traditional ketchup because of their tastes and habits, she says. “Most brands of ketchup add 4 grams of sugar to a tablespoon of product,” Best adds. “Knowing that multiple tablespoons of this seasoning are used in a typical diet makes this number even more alarming.” Excessive sugar in the diet increases calorie consumption and increases calories burned. At the same time, she emphasizes that the risk of chronic illness increases. “A high-sugar diet promotes dysbiosis and an imbalance of gut bacteria, so gut health can begin to be sacrificed,” she continues. Given that she has alternatives to traditional ketchup, she “ideally chooses them instead.”
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High fat mayonnaise
According to Richards, this seasoning, especially traditional egg-based seasonings, should not be considered healthy at once. Seasonings made with healthy oils such as olive oil can be a “great addition to recipes and diets”, but they are still reasonably used and she suggests. Richards also points out that the saturated fat content and emulsifiers used in healthy varieties can damage many organs, especially the liver. “The liver works to filter out the excess fat and toxins we ingest, so high-fat seasonings like mayonnaise can make it heavier and stressful,” she adds. Instead of choosing mayonnaise, Richards says, “It’s best not to use this seasoning or to choose a healthy alternative like fresh avocado.” These are processed more easily by the body, “the fat they contain is more easily digested and used as fuel,” she says.
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Creamy ranch dressing
Whether used in salads or soaked in chicken tenders, frequent use of ranch dressings and similar sauces is not a close friend when it comes to healthy weight loss. “One serving of ranch dressing provides about 150 calories and 15 grams of fat,” says Feder. “If you like to dress frequently on the ranch, this can really hinder your weight loss journey.” Fedder said, “The best you can do if you have a ranch and want to keep losing weight.” “Things” adds that it is to choose a light or fat-free option.
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Sweet barbecue sauce
Sweet, spicy and tasty barbecue sauces are often low in calories and may not look unhealthy, but Fedder states that this seasoning is often high in sugar. “One serving of barbecue sauce is about 70 calories and contains no fat,” he says, but most people are “unaware that one serving contains about 16 grams of sugar.” “. “This added sugar can really interfere with your weight loss and metabolism,” says Fedder. “The best way is to look for a sugar-free or sugar-reduced barbecue sauce,” he suggests.
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High calorie honey mustard
Full-fat honey mustard can add hundreds of calories to a single meal, and frequent intake can definitely hinder your weight loss goals, Fedder said. “One serving of regular honey mustard can be packed anywhere with 100-180 calories,” he says. “In addition to being high in calories, it usually contains 10 to 15 grams of fat, which is equivalent to a serving of seasoning,” Feder continues. He concludes that the best option is to look for “low-fat or non-fat honey mustard if you’re trying to lose weight.”
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