healthy habits are making you gain weight

Low fat foods While having a moderately low fat diet (avoiding the nasty saturated and trans fats) is good for our overall health, we still need a certain amount of fat to function. Low fat meals and snacks are often packed with refined starches and sugars to compensate for the lack of flavour, however these items aren’t exactly likely to leave you satisfied.

Your best bet is to stick to wholefoods that include healthy sources of fat, like pairing an apple with nut butter, a small handful of almonds with Greek yoghurt, or wholegrain crackers with avocado or hummus.

Too many liquids Many of us could do with eating more fruits and veggies, but we don’t need to slurp kale, spinach and apple juice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Trading well-rounded nutritious meals for juices can leave out important nutrients and enough calories to stay strong throughout the day. Juicing essentially strips out the fibre (and a lot of the nutrients) leaving you with a sugary liquid. The lack of fibre (the stuff that helps you poop) and sugar overload can send blood sugars soaring making your tummy rumble a few hours later. While smoothies can be a little more nutritious because the fibre is still intact, they can quickly add up calorie-wise. When selecting or making a juice, keep it simple by sticking to three to four ingredients. As for a fresh juice, opt for more veggies than fruit (to reduce sugar content) and team it with a small serve of natural yoghurt or handful of raw nuts for a slower release of energy. Going G-free Following a gluten free diet is a fast growing trend, but the only people who need to ditch gluten are those with medically diagnosed condition, like coeliac disease. Truth bomb: eating gluten free food doesn’t necessarily mean the food is healthier. Many gluten-free foods contain fewer vitamins, less fibre and more sugar or fat to simulate the satisfying fluffiness that gluten imparts so don’t necessary equate with health or weight-loss benefits. As always, read the label and if you suspect gluten intolerance, check with your doctor before getting rid of unnecessary nutrients.

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