10 Foods That Can Sabotage Your Diet
Some foods may appear healthy -- low in calories, fat or cholesterol -- when in fact they may contribute to weight gain or prevent weight loss. The top 10 to watch out for:
1. Non-diet soda: Loaded with sugar and (in many cases) caffeine. One 12-ounce can has 150 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar. Another problem: Many young women miss valuable calcium by choosing soda over milk.
2. High-Sugar Cereals: One bowl of low-grain, high-sugar cereal -- made mostly of white flour, sugar and food coloring -- can have as much sugar as two Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Also, these cereals usually offer very little fiber.
3. Frozen potato products: The potato is the most popular vegetable in America. Problem is, the frozen varieties are often high-fat, high-salt and heavily processed spuds. Opt for fresh, whole potatoes, baked and topped with nonfat sour cream.
4. Deli meats: Unless you buy roasted turkey breast, ham or roast beef "carved from the bone," your sandwich staple may be loaded with fillers, salt, preservatives and food coloring.
5. Salad dressing: Salads can be excellent, healthy meals -- but not if you top them with high-fat dressing. Buy low-fat or nonfat dressings or risk drowning your lettuce and veggies in up to 20 grams of artery-clogging fat (per 2-tablespoon serving).
6. "Smartfood Popcorn": Although popcorn seems healthier than potato chips, 10 grams of fat per serving is not considered "smart."
7. Apple and banana chips: Sure it starts out as fruit. But with more than 40 percent of calories from fat (five to six grams per serving), why not opt for the real thing?
8. Granola: Many varieties are fat- and sugar-laden; read labels.
9. Bagels: Although virtually fat-free, a typical bagel (four to five ounces) can cost up to 500 calories -- without toppings. Eat half a bagel, or buy two-ounce, whole-wheat bagels from the frozen-food section.
10. Bran muffins: One muffin can dish out almost half of your total daily allowance for fat (23 grams). Opt for low-fat muffins or whole-grain toast instead.
**One of my teachers in HS told me that muffins are just a ploy to get you to eat cake for breakfast!
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