Some people confuse the term “diet wellness” with “weight loss,” but this is a dangerous assumption to make. Plenty of foods can be beneficial to your overall wellbeing, but if shedding a few pounds is your goal then you need to be more careful. Wellness experts Mike Simone and Hollis Templeton explain, ‘While they’re packed with antioxidants, protein, and healthy fat, [certain] nutrition powerhouses can pile on serious calories if you’re not careful.’ Let’s take a look at the seemingly healthy foods that are making you fat.
1. Avocado: According to Simone and Templeton, ‘Avocado is everywhere, and rightfully so. It’s a superfood. Each fruit is packed with 10 grams of fibre and more than twice the potassium of a banana. Avocado has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, reduce cancer and diabetes risk, and improve skin health. The drawback: Due to its high-fat content (heart-healthy monounsaturated fat is still fat) and the heavy praise avocado receives for its health benefits, it’s all too easy to go overboard.’ Tanya Zuckerbrot, RD, author of The Miracle Carb Diet, cautions, ‘While they’re packed with more than 20 vitamins and minerals, avocados are still calorically dense. Use moderation when adding them to your salads, sandwiches, and anything else.’
2. Nuts: ‘Hit up a sporting event or hang out at a local bar and you’re sure to come across a variety of nuts—and guys chowing down on them like they’re pieces of popcorn,’ note Simone and Templeton. ‘It’s the perfect example of good gone bad. Like avocado, nuts are loaded with heart-healthy fats. But healthy doesn’t always mean lean. A couple of beers and a few handfuls of nuts and you’ve tallied up some serious calories.’ Zuckerbrot points out, ‘A one-ounce serving of nuts contains 135 calories, and how many nuts you get in a serving will depend on your nut of choice. Think about it: Would you rather have 12 cashews or 22 almonds?’
3. Protein Bars: ‘Protein is good, right?,’ Simone and Templeton ask. ‘Damn right it is. But not if it’s double-decked with ab-killers fat and sugar. Your protein-bar approach: Save them for when you’re in a jam, like when you’re travelling or out on a long hike, and in those instances eat half the serving size at a time. Rule No. 2: shop smart. Pick a bar with reduced sugar, or opt for a ready-to-drink (RTD) alternative. These products typically contain half the fat and sugar, and 100 fewer calories, compared with bars.’
4. Trail Mix: Simone and Templeton admit, ‘In theory, whole-grain, fibre-rich mixes make great on-the-go snacks. Problem is, they’re often dressed up with ingredients like honey, dried fruit, seeds, and chocolate—plus it’s hard to stick to the proper portion size… Your plan of attack: Again, save these convenient eats for when you’re in jam and opt for a stripped-down mix sold in a bag that contains a single serving.’
5. Dried Fruit: Zuckerbrot warns, ‘Two tablespoons of dried cranberries or raisins have the same amount of calories as one cup of fresh raspberries or 1¼ cups of strawberries.’ Simone and Templeton comment, ‘Take all the nutrients and antioxidants from several servings of fruit and shrink them down into something that’s super easy to eat. Sounds great, right? Well, these miniature fruit snacks are often loaded with added sugar, plus it’s not out of the norm to plow through an entire bagful. Go for fresh instead.’
6. Gluten-Free Foods: ‘Many gluten-free products actually have more calories than similar versions that contain gluten,’ notes Zuckerbrot. ‘Ingredients such as cornstarch and brown rice flour, which are used by manufacturers to mimic the texture and taste of gluten, are more calorically dense than the ingredients they replace.’ Simone and Templeton recommend, ‘Stick to whole foods that are naturally gluten-free, like quinoa.’
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