Avoiding these foods (and choosing healthier alternatives) is a great way to lose weight!
Calories do count because losing weight requires burning more calories than you take in. If you’re in the process of shedding pounds, one of your primary missions is to identify those high-calorie foods that cause the scale to creep up. By recognizing the high-calorie foods to avoid below, you will be able to reach your fitness goals in a more timely manner.
High-Calorie Health Concerns
Unhealthy foods like the ones below usually contain an excess of sugar, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates. These things pose a myriad of risks to our well-being when eating regularly and can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and various chronic illnesses. With so many dangerous health risks, it’s really a no-brainer as to why you’d want to give them up! After all, you only get one body!
Benefits of Healthier Alternatives
Opting for healthier options not only helps maintain a balanced weight, but it also promotes long-term health and vitality. Nutrient dense, lower calorie choices can improve energy levels, boost immune health, increase mental clarity, and enhance overall well-being. There’s no doubt about it- choosing more nutritious options is a wise and rewarding decision for a healthier and happier life.
8 High-Calorie Foods to Avoid (and Healthy Alternatives)
Luckily you don’t have to totally eliminate your favorite foods, you just have to find a way to enjoy them in a healthier way. Along with listing the high-calorie foods to avoid, we also cover healthy alternatives that won’t break the calorie bank (but will still allow you to indulge in familiar flavors!)
1. Processed Meats
Being high in calories may be the least of the problems with processed meats. Not only do they pack on too many calories, but they’re also high in heart-unhealthy saturated fats. Just say “no” to sausage, salami, etc. Fuel up with plant-based proteins, lean meats, or fish instead. Here are some great low-fat and low-calorie replacements that are packed with protein, too:
2. Potato Chips
That old snack food standby is a high-calorie offender in the 1st degree. An ounce delivers an average of 150 calories, mostly from fat. Be wary of low-fat varieties as well since many have added salt and sugar to bolster the taste. Make a better choice with an alternative like these Baked Sweet Potato Chips with Rosemary and Sea Salt or our Air Fryer Banana Chips.
3. Ice Cream
This summer-time treat is not weight-loss-friendly. Not only is it high in sugar, fat, and calories, but it’s also the kind of food that tempts many of us into throwing proper portion sizes out the window. Replace your regular indulgence with this 116-calorie Skinny Strawberry Ice Cream (no ice cream maker required). We also have this yummy recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream!
4. French Fries
Potatoes can be healthy. Their cut and fried cousins, french fries—not even remotely. Fries, especially those from most fast food places, are virtually dripping with unhealthy fat and calories. For a refreshing change—one that slashes calories without sacrificing taste—try these Oven Sweet Potato Fries or our Must-Have Air Fried French Fries.
5. Store-Bought Fruit Juice
Those cartons showing luscious-looking fruits appear healthy, don’t they? In truth, many are nothing more than a sugar-added, high-calorie shadow of the whole fruit original. Reach for the actual fruit instead. You’ll consume fewer calories, plus you’ll get a dose of fiber that most juices just can’t deliver. Here are some healthy alternatives:
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Cranberry Detox Drink
- The New Southern Style Sweet Tea Recipe
- 5 Flat Belly Drink Recipes
6. White Bread, Rolls, & Biscuits
You know that bread basket that goes on the table for family meals? If you want to lose weight, stop putting it there. Don’t reach for it when you’re eating out, either. These foods are packed with empty calories that fill you up before the main course hits the table. If you’re eating at home and that bread craving strikes, try this low-calorie 4-Ingredient Cloud Bread!
Related: Tips to Help You Eat Healthy When You’re Eating Out
7. Store-Bought Trail Mix
Just like fruit juice, trail mix seems like a smart choice for a weight loss plan. While packaged mixes do contain good-for-you nuts, dried fruit, and raisins, they also usually contain too many not-good-for-you sweets, like candies or chocolate. Get the benefits of trail mix—without the extra calories—by mixing your own or packing one of these 100 Calorie Snacks. Here are some other healthy snack ideas:
8. Salad Dressings
Women trying to lose weight often make the wise choice to add more salads to their diet. Our bodies benefit from the fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. What they don’t benefit from is high-calorie salad dressing. Ditch the damaging stuff and try this Lemon and Oil Dressing. (We’ve paired it with a simple garden salad here, but it’s a tasty addition to many salad recipes.) You might also enjoy this Orange Ginger Sesame Salad Dressing!
Lose weight and feel great by saying “sayonara” to these waistline-expanding, high-calorie foods.
Can you think of any other high-calorie foods to avoid? Let us know in the comments!
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