When you’ve been dieting for a while, bread begins to look pretty good—even some of the basic, everyday white sandwich breads. You’ve got to keep in mind, though, that when you’re on a diet, you’re not necessarily supposed to eat everything in sight. There are certain foods—most notably bread—that if consumed in large quantities, can cause you to gain weight rather than lose it. For that reason, it’s vital that you know which types of bread to avoid and which to eat all the biscuits and brownies (and maybe even some of the pasta) in sight.
Low-Fiber Breads
If you’re trying to lose weight, you should limit your intake of low-fiber, high-calorie breads. These are often made with refined grains like pasta or white flour, and can contain a lot of added sugar. While there’s nothing wrong with eating a slice of freshly made pizza every once in a while, it’s not the best choice if you want to lose weight. There are also some types of breads that when eaten in large quantities, can lead to digestive troubles. For example, dark rye bread and whole wheat bread have a lot of fiber in them that gives you a feeling of fullness, thus preventing over-eating. When you’re trying to shed those extra pounds, it’s better to stick with white sandwich bread and whole wheat pizza crust (which, again, you should avoid in favour of vegetables and salads).
Breads With Added Sugars
Even some types of whole wheat bread contain a surprising amount of sugar. Some brands add a lot of preservatives and sweeteners to their products, so much so that they become completely unappetizing. The problem with these types of breads is that when you’re trying to lose weight, you’re already cutting out a lot of the foods that contain sugar. Since these types of breads are made with more sugar than whole wheat breads, when you eliminate them from your diet, you’ll be depriving yourself of some essential nutrient and making it harder to lose the weight. When you do eat them, make sure that you’re eating the whole thing rather than picking out a few pieces of wheat here and there. Even little bits of processed bread can add up and cause you to gain weight rather than lose it. If you want to eat a hot dog or sausage link on a day when you’ve limited yourself to carrots and broccoli, by all means, do so. Just be sure that you’re not eating a whole piece of bread topped with ketchup and cheese every day. That might be something to avoid for the sake of your waistline.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities, especially when used in conjunction with other sweeteners or condiments. They’re often found in combination with high-fructose corn syrup, which can also be very harmful. The combination of these two easily accessible, unhealthy ingredients makes for a very problematic food product. When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid these altogether, as they can cause blood sugar levels to spike, resulting in an energy crash. If you must have something sweet, go for fruit, which is naturally low in calories and contains several essential nutrients. If you want to be on the safe side, avoid buying any food item that contains multiple types of sweeteners, especially those made with high fructose corn syrup. Otherwise, you might as well be eating cake every day.
White Breads
White breads contain very little fiber and a lot of empty calories, making them a highly problematic food choice when you’re trying to lose weight. They contain a large amount of gluten, a protein that some people are unable to digest properly. This protein can cause intestinal issues that might end up costing you weight rather than helping you shed it. The lack of fibre and presence of gluten makes white breads a definite no-go when you’re trying to shed those pounds. Stick with wholegrain breads and whole wheat pasta instead, if you want to be on the safe side.
Eating the wrong foods when you’re trying to lose weight can cause you to gain or lose weight rather than the way you intended. Sometimes, the food choice that you make will determine if you end up shedding or adding the pounds. Even when you’re eating healthy foods, it’s important to monitor your portions and know when you’ve had enough. There’s no point in depriving yourself of the foods that you love just because they might not be the best for your waistline. If you want to shed those extra pounds, it’s vital to eat the right foods and in the right portions. Make sure to avoid all the foods that you know aren’t good for you and stick with what you know is healthy. You’ll be able to tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods just by looking at them, so it’s easy to remember what to avoid.