If you’re looking for proven ways to lose weight, you’ve probably come across a list of dietary guidelines that work. Usually, these lists include items like – eat more fruits and vegetables, drink more water, avoid sugar, and exercise regularly. While there’s truth to these recommendations, relying on them alone isn’t going to get you to your goal weight.
Why? Well, when you cut out certain foods that you believe don’t fit into your healthy diet, you’re probably going to be missing out on something good. If you really want to shed those extra pounds, you’re going to need to incorporate these four dietary guidelines into your routine.
Avoid refined sugar
Refined sugar, also known as simple sugar, is typically found in table sugar, brown sugar, and white rice. These sugars don’t provide your body with essential nutrients, which makes them potentially dangerous. They’re also a primary source of energy, which means that eating too much of it could cause you to gain weight. Studies have shown that consuming refined sugar leads to a surge in blood sugar levels, which in turn, leads to additional sugar cravings. If you’re serious about losing weight, avoiding refined sugar is a good place to start.
Eat More Plants
In addition to avoiding refined sugar, you should eat more plants. Consider adding more veggies and fruit to your diet, which provide your body with nutrients and fill you up without having to eat a lot of food. Studies have shown that consuming foods rich in antioxidants helps protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can lead to cell malfunction and even cancer. If you want to achieve better health, opt for plant-based foods over other foods.
Eat More Fat
Eating fat is crucial for your health, but you shouldn’t eat the kinds of fats that make you gain weight. Instead, opt for unsaturated fats, which are typically found in plant-based foods like avocados, olives, and nuts. Consider adding a little more olive oil to your salad or having another slice of bread with your morning cup of coffee. Consuming fat helps your body produce more energy and stay healthier. While you need to keep your carbohydrates and proteins in check, you can have your fats as much as you like.
Avoid Certain Food
Certain foods aren’t worth your time and effort when it comes to losing weight. The best example of this is white potatoes. You might be tempted to eat them because they’re low in calories, but the complex carbohydrates they contain aren’t doing your body any favors. The same goes for white rice, pasta, and any bread products. These foods are all filled with empty carbs, which aren’t providing you with any nutrients. Instead, they’re causing you to gain weight.
There are plenty of other foods that can be problematic for your waistline. For example, you shouldn’t eat candy or desserts, as they’re mostly sugar. You should also avoid snacks that are made with refined flour, such as cake bars and bread snacks. When choosing foods to avoid, make sure that they don’t contain any of the ingredients that you’re trying to stay away from. For example, if you don’t want to eat cake, don’t allow yourself to be fooled by food brands that use artificial sweeteners in their recipes. These sweeteners cause all kinds of health problems, so you’re better off avoiding them.
Now that you know which foods to avoid and which to indulge in, it’s easy to see how losing weight can be fun and healthy. Make sure to add these four dietary guidelines to your routine, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle in no time.