Trying to lose weight is a huge challenge that is undercut by the many delicious temptations out there to eat.
That doesn't mean that 'unhealthy' foods aren't part of a healthy diet, but if you're trying to slim down, some picks are more unhealthy than others.
From breakfast to late night treats, the Mirror has reported some of the foods to cut down on if you're looking to lose weight, according to nutritionists. Though delicious, even things beloved by healthy dieters like coconut oil and high protein chocolate bars have a downside.
1. Jam doughnuts
Jam doughnuts, though delicious, are unsurprisingly high in sugar.
Coming in at five teaspoons per doughnut, the deep fried treats made from white flour contain around 330 calories in each, according to sports nutritionist Rob Hobson.
2. Sausages
The breakfast staple that's a fry-up must is high in saturated fat, salt and preservatives like nitrates. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, people should eat little to no processed meat. The association cites "strong evidence" that eating red or processed meat causes colorectal cancer.
Choosing higher-quality sausages can make a big difference, look for brands with high meat content and low salt levels, the traffic light food labels can help guide you here.
3. Coconut oil
The coconut version still has saturated fats, despite its reputation as the health lover's alternative to vegetable oil.
Rhiannon Lambert, author of The Science of Nutrition said: “We know that a high consumption of this kind of fat is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, so it’s important we keep our intakes within the recommended amounts of 20g of saturated fat for women and 30g for men.
“Of course, coconut oil is something that we can and should enjoy as part of a balanced, healthy and varied diet, but just be mindful of how much we are consuming and try to opt for healthier unsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados instead,” she told The Sun.
4. Cola
Fizzy drinks like cola are chock full of nutritionally 'empty' calories that won't help your weight loss journey. Cola is very high in sugar and also not great for your dental health if consumed in excess, according to nutritionist Rob Hobson.
5. Fried chicken
Nutritionist Rob also says: "Fried chicken is loaded with saturated fat which can increase your risk of heart disease. It also contains heaps of salt which can increase blood pressure when eaten in excess."
Although a delicious and popular takeaway, two fried chicken drumsticks contain nearly 500 calories, 2.5g of salt and high amounts of saturated fat.
6. Added-sugar fruit juice
Dumping extra sugar in fruit juice is another move not great for your diet. Although drinking juice can fulfil one of your five-a-day and lend much-needed vitamin C, the extra calories are of no help.
The best way to make sure you avoid this unnecessary sugar intake is to always check the label, if you see sugar on there, opt for a different brand.
7. Sugary cereals
"Breakfast cereals are fortified with nutrients and some are not that high in sugar which makes them an OK choice for breakfast as part of a balanced diet," says Rob.
But others, which contain high levels of sugar and pieces of chocolate are not the healthiest way to start the day, he said, instead advising consumers to steer clear of these.
8. Granola
With its reputation as a healthy breakfast choice, dieters will want to double check nutrition labels. Granola actually can contain large amounts of oil, sugar and in some cases added salt, according to Rhiannon.
It is always worth checking the label closely to see how much sugar is in a given brand. Low sugar - that is 5g per 100g - options are best to go for.
9. Microwave burger in a bun
The combination of processed meat, white flour bun, processed cheese and salty sauce means this is definitely one for dieters to avoid.
The time-saving meal contains a long list of additives and preservatives so it might be worth making burgers yourself from mince with your own choice of flavourings and seasonings.
10. White sugar
It might sound like a no brainer, but in the UK we consume far too much white sugar, according to Rob. A few spoonfuls into your teas and coffees throughout the day can add up.
Consuming too much sugar can lead to increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. If you don’t like an unsweetened hot drink try switching to a low calorie sweetener instead.
11. Deep fried breaded cheese
Tempting though it is, deep fried cheese snacks like mozzarella sticks and cheese balls should be avoided or moderated.
These delicious tidbits are popular in restaurants but come loaded with salt and saturated fats.
12. Flapjacks
This is another one where a healthy reputation can hide a multitude of sins, as with granola and sausages, you have to check the label to know what you’re really getting.
Beyond the simple recipe of oats, nuts and honey, many of the more processed brands come loaded with include palm oil, glucose syrup, butter and artificial flavourings.
13. High protein chocolate bars
Exercise fans snapping up 'high protein' bars beware as the chocolate variety can also come loaded with sugar and saturated fat, unlike natural lean sources of protein like chicken, turkey, eggs, fish and tofu.
14. White chocolate
Well, all chocolate really, but milk chocolate and white chocolate tend to have the most sugar in them.
A high sugar intake not only increases risk of diseases like diabetes but also can spell trouble for your dental health as well.
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