Healthy Foods That Can Make You Fat
There is so much fresh produce available in Pittsburg, CA, that choosing healthy foods is relatively easy. Eating healthy is vital for weight loss since most healthy foods fill you up without adding extra calories. However, some healthy foods make you fat if you consume too much. Some foods have no limitations on how much you can eat. It’s hard to eat too many calories if you’re crunching celery or eating a big salad of greens. Protein smoothies are extremely healthy, but if you consume too many you’ll pack on the pounds.
Nuts and nut butter provide quality vegetarian protein.
Nuts are calorie-dense, even though they’re also very healthy. When snacking on nuts, keep portion control in mind. Just a handful of almonds is 170 calories, and a tablespoonful of nut butter is between 95 and 110 calories, depending on the type of nut. Also, beware of trail mix and granola. They may contain other healthy but high-calorie ingredients like dried fruit. Some contain added sweeteners or candies, detracting from their benefits and adding more calories.
Low-fat dairy can fool you.
Whether it’s low or no-fat milk or low or no-fat yogurt, don’t be deceived by the fat-free label. Cutting out fat can cause weight gain for several reasons. The first is the composition of low or no-fat yogurt and other dairy. When manufacturers remove fat, it takes the pleasant consistency and taste away too. They make the product more palatable by adding sugar. That increases the calorie intake from the yogurt or dairy products. Removing the fat also makes it less filling. Fat fills you up quicker and for longer so you eat less.
Eat the super healthy avocado in moderation.
Avocados provide a wealth of nutrition, but if you eat too many, you’ll notice the scales climbing. They’re high in healthy fat that helps your body achieve better cholesterol levels. Avocados are packed with nutrition to help the skin, reduce cancer risk, and help prevent diabetes. Its high-fat content causes the calorie count to 344 calories for a 7-ounce avocado. If you ate too many daily, you’d surpass your calorie allotment quickly. Eat these sparingly.
- Just like mixed nuts, dried fruit is a handy snack. Removing the moisture from the fruit leaves a very high sugar content, which means it’s high in calories. Dried fruit is calorie-dense and should be limited.
- Many gluten-free products are far higher in calories than their gluten-containing counterparts. Choosing a gluten-free option doesn’t make it a healthier option unless you need to cut gluten for health issues.
- Some healthy foods aren’t fattening in some forms, but it depends on how they’re prepared. Fried fish isn’t as healthy any more than fried tofu. Tofu is especially badly fried since it soaks up the grease like a sponge.
- Beware of protein bars. Many protein bars are just glorified candy bars. If you want to include protein as a snack, consider nut butter on sliced fruit as an option.
For more information, contact us today at Thrive Fitness!