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Overview
It seems that every time we try to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight, the number of temptations around us increase. And at times we even make excuses such as: "It's totally fine to eat a dark chocolate candy bar every day – I heard dark chocolate is good for you." Read on for a list of the worst diet threats. These 12 diet wreckers are calorie-rich, nutrient-poor and often have a high glycemic index. In many cases, these foods are among the worst choices you could make if you're trying to lose weight or keep off the pounds lost.
Image Credit: piyato/iStock/Getty Images
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3. Chips (Yes, Even the Veggie Ones!)
Chips are high in calories, and once you start chomping it's difficult to stop eating them. Just 15 Lay's Classic Potato Chips (what some might consider a measly portion) will set you back 160 calories and 10g of fat. When it comes to veggie chips, don't let the word veggie trick you. Most varieties are actually nutritionally equivalent to one serving of potato chips. And because veggie chips are primarily comprised of corn flour or potato flour, essential vitamins and minerals are lost during processing. If you MUST have something salty to crunch on, try whole-grain Crunchmaster Sea Salt Multi-Grain Crackers. They're gluten- and GMO-free and have 130 calories, 2g protein and 3g fiber per serving.
Image Credit: Getty Images
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6. French Fries
A large population-based study from Harvard School of Public Health tracked the diets of more than 120,000 men and women over 20 years, and found that those who reported eating the most French fries gained the most weight over the four-year study period. Those who reported eating French fries gained an average of 3.35 pounds over each four-year period. To make matters worse, portion sizes of fries have swelled over the past few decades, so that the average calories consumed when ordering fries is a lot more now than it used to be. The Centers for Disease Control has released figures that show the average restaurant meal is now four times larger than it was in the 1950s Today's medium size McDonald's French fries in the U.S.contains 380 calories and 19g fat.
Image Credit: Getty Images
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7. Doughnuts (and Cronuts!)
Americans enjoy more than 10 billion doughnuts each year, and glazed doughnuts are the all-time favorite. Doughnuts (particularly cronuts) are the new cupcake. "Gourmet" doughnut shops offer flavors including peanut butter and jelly, salted caramel and coffee. And now cronuts (croissant doughnuts) are all the rage. Some bakers are even offering vegan and organic options. A Dunkin Donuts Glazed Jelly Donut will set you back 310 calories, 14g fat, 6g saturated fat and 14g sugar. A glazed cruller from Krispy Kreme contains about 220 calories, 12g fat and 15g sugar.
Image Credit: Getty Images
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11. Milk Shakes
Who doesn't love a rich and creamy milkshake? Unfortunately, that 16-ounce McCafé Chocolate Shake (yes, the one made with reduced-fat ice cream!) will set you back 700 calories, 20g fat and a whopping 97g of sugar (that's more than 24 teaspoons of sugar). A medium chocolate malt shake from Dairy Queen will cost you 480 calories, 23g fat, and 101g of sugar. A 2013 study of 12 obese men given high-glycemic index shakes (read: high in fast-absorbing carbs) experienced low blood sugar, increased hunger and increased activity in the area of the brain that's associated with addictive behaviors. Liquids that are sugar-rich, like shakes, are among the worst for increasing hunger and cravings for more carbohydrate-rich foods.
Image Credit: Getty Images
1 of 14
Overview
It seems that every time we try to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight, the number of temptations around us increase. And at times we even make excuses such as: "It's totally fine to eat a dark chocolate candy bar every day – I heard dark chocolate is good for you." Read on for a list of the worst diet threats. These 12 diet wreckers are calorie-rich, nutrient-poor and often have a high glycemic index. In many cases, these foods are among the worst choices you could make if you're trying to lose weight or keep off the pounds lost.
Image Credit: piyato/iStock/Getty Images
Overview
It seems that every time we try to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight, the number of temptations around us increase. And at times we even make excuses such as: “It’s totally fine to eat a dark chocolate candy bar every day – I heard dark chocolate is good for you.” Read on for a list of the worst diet threats. These 12 diet wreckers are calorie-rich, nutrient-poor and often have a high glycemic index. In many cases, these foods are among the worst choices you could make if you’re trying to lose weight or keep off the pounds lost.
Image Credit: piyato/iStock/Getty Images
1. Breakfast Cereals
Image Credit: matt_benoit/iStock/Getty Images
2. Muffins (Including Blueberry and Bran!)
Image Credit: Brent Hofacker/AdobeStock
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3. Chips (Yes, Even the Veggie Ones!)
Chips are high in calories, and once you start chomping it's difficult to stop eating them. Just 15 Lay's Classic Potato Chips (what some might consider a measly portion) will set you back 160 calories and 10g of fat. When it comes to veggie chips, don't let the word veggie trick you. Most varieties are actually nutritionally equivalent to one serving of potato chips. And because veggie chips are primarily comprised of corn flour or potato flour, essential vitamins and minerals are lost during processing. If you MUST have something salty to crunch on, try whole-grain Crunchmaster Sea Salt Multi-Grain Crackers. They're gluten- and GMO-free and have 130 calories, 2g protein and 3g fiber per serving.
Image Credit: Getty Images
3. Chips (Yes, Even the Veggie Ones!)
Chips are high in calories, and once you start chomping it’s difficult to stop eating them. Just 15 Lay’s Classic Potato Chips (what some might consider a measly portion) will set you back 160 calories and 10g of fat. When it comes to veggie chips, don’t let the word veggie trick you. Most varieties are actually nutritionally equivalent to one serving of potato chips. And because veggie chips are primarily comprised of corn flour or potato flour, essential vitamins and minerals are lost during processing. If you MUST have something salty to crunch on, try whole-grain Crunchmaster Sea Salt Multi-Grain Crackers. They’re gluten- and GMO-free and have 130 calories, 2g protein and 3g fiber per serving.
Image Credit: Getty Images
4. Store-Bought and Packaged Puddings
5. Soda (Including Diet Soda)
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6. French Fries
A large population-based study from Harvard School of Public Health tracked the diets of more than 120,000 men and women over 20 years, and found that those who reported eating the most French fries gained the most weight over the four-year study period. Those who reported eating French fries gained an average of 3.35 pounds over each four-year period. To make matters worse, portion sizes of fries have swelled over the past few decades, so that the average calories consumed when ordering fries is a lot more now than it used to be. The Centers for Disease Control has released figures that show the average restaurant meal is now four times larger than it was in the 1950s Today's medium size McDonald's French fries in the U.S.contains 380 calories and 19g fat.
Image Credit: Getty Images
6. French Fries
A large population-based study from Harvard School of Public Health tracked the diets of more than 120,000 men and women over 20 years, and found that those who reported eating the most French fries gained the most weight over the four-year study period. Those who reported eating French fries gained an average of 3.35 pounds over each four-year period. To make matters worse, portion sizes of fries have swelled over the past few decades, so that the average calories consumed when ordering fries is a lot more now than it used to be. The Centers for Disease Control has released figures that show the average restaurant meal is now four times larger than it was in the 1950s Today’s medium size McDonald’s French fries in the U.S.contains 380 calories and 19g fat.
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7. Doughnuts (and Cronuts!)
Americans enjoy more than 10 billion doughnuts each year, and glazed doughnuts are the all-time favorite. Doughnuts (particularly cronuts) are the new cupcake. "Gourmet" doughnut shops offer flavors including peanut butter and jelly, salted caramel and coffee. And now cronuts (croissant doughnuts) are all the rage. Some bakers are even offering vegan and organic options. A Dunkin Donuts Glazed Jelly Donut will set you back 310 calories, 14g fat, 6g saturated fat and 14g sugar. A glazed cruller from Krispy Kreme contains about 220 calories, 12g fat and 15g sugar.
Image Credit: Getty Images
7. Doughnuts (and Cronuts!)
Americans enjoy more than 10 billion doughnuts each year, and glazed doughnuts are the all-time favorite. Doughnuts (particularly cronuts) are the new cupcake. “Gourmet” doughnut shops offer flavors including peanut butter and jelly, salted caramel and coffee. And now cronuts (croissant doughnuts) are all the rage. Some bakers are even offering vegan and organic options. A Dunkin Donuts Glazed Jelly Donut will set you back 310 calories, 14g fat, 6g saturated fat and 14g sugar. A glazed cruller from Krispy Kreme contains about 220 calories, 12g fat and 15g sugar.
8. Sweeteners
9. Cookies (Even Gluten-Free and Vegan Ones!)
10. Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt
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11. Milk Shakes
Who doesn't love a rich and creamy milkshake? Unfortunately, that 16-ounce McCafé Chocolate Shake (yes, the one made with reduced-fat ice cream!) will set you back 700 calories, 20g fat and a whopping 97g of sugar (that's more than 24 teaspoons of sugar). A medium chocolate malt shake from Dairy Queen will cost you 480 calories, 23g fat, and 101g of sugar. A 2013 study of 12 obese men given high-glycemic index shakes (read: high in fast-absorbing carbs) experienced low blood sugar, increased hunger and increased activity in the area of the brain that's associated with addictive behaviors. Liquids that are sugar-rich, like shakes, are among the worst for increasing hunger and cravings for more carbohydrate-rich foods.
Image Credit: Getty Images
11. Milk Shakes
Who doesn’t love a rich and creamy milkshake? Unfortunately, that 16-ounce McCafé Chocolate Shake (yes, the one made with reduced-fat ice cream!) will set you back 700 calories, 20g fat and a whopping 97g of sugar (that’s more than 24 teaspoons of sugar). A medium chocolate malt shake from Dairy Queen will cost you 480 calories, 23g fat, and 101g of sugar. A 2013 study of 12 obese men given high-glycemic index shakes (read: high in fast-absorbing carbs) experienced low blood sugar, increased hunger and increased activity in the area of the brain that’s associated with addictive behaviors. Liquids that are sugar-rich, like shakes, are among the worst for increasing hunger and cravings for more carbohydrate-rich foods.
12. Processed Meats
13. Milk Chocolate
