11 Foods That Are Surprisingly Bad for Your Waistline

Unexpected Foods That Cause Belly Bloat

Are you trying to lose abdominal fat? Many popular packaged "health" foods include hidden added sugar for taste and texture. Other purportedly healthy meals are too rich in added fats. Even "low-fat" or "low-sugar" meals include processed, nutrient-poor components that may cause stomach bloating. Your best option is to read the labels of packaged foods and choose ones with a limited number of components that you are familiar with. Additionally, choose fresh, healthy meals that burn fat whenever feasible. Here are 11 meals that can increase your waistline's size coupled with wise weight reduction advice.

1 Juice

Leave the juice mixes out: Juicing removes some of the filling fibers from fruits and vegetables, and since juice is highly concentrated, fruit-heavy juices are rich in sugar. Unsweetened orange-grapefruit juice, for instance, contains a staggering 25 grams of sugar and 0.2 grams of fiber in a single 8-ounce glass. Eat your greens whole instead, and for added sturdiness, combine with lean protein or healthy fats. Or, for a nutritious, satisfying snack, spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter over a medium apple, which offers 18 grams of sugar and 4.4 grams of fiber.

2. Fruit Yogurt without Fat

One of the worst foods for your waistline is flavored yogurt. Usually, sugar in some form comes after milk; some yogurts include over 20 grams of sugar per serving, the majority of it added. A portion will also have you reaching for another food quickly after the fat has been removed. Choose plain low-fat Greek yogurt instead, which provides over 20 grams of satisfying protein and just 7 grams of sugar. You can add half a cup of fresh blackberries over top and still still have 10 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber.

3. Rolls of sushi

Chopsticks shouldn't be thrown just yet. You should be on the lookout for speciality rolls: Many recipes (like a hot California roll) have added sugar right up there among the first few ingredients in addition to mayonnaise and canola oil. Others are poor in nutrients and heavy in saturated fats since they are loaded with cream cheese or fried fish. Instead, choose sushi that is made up entirely of fish. When feasible, use brown rice, and pay attention to the amount of rice in your roll—some have far more grain than fish, delivering plenty of additional carbohydrates and calories.

4. Muffins with less fat

While that low-fat muffin from the coffee shop may look like a "healthy" breakfast, the fat has probably been replaced with sugar, which makes up approximately 20 grams of a standard small muffin. Make whole-grain muffins at home instead. Use whole wheat flour and applesauce in place of part of the oil in your recipe for a more full snack that won't increase belly fat. Another dish recommended by nutritionists is egg muffins, which are cooked in a muffin pan for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and include scrambled eggs combined with your favorite vegetables (grilled onions, spinach, and green pepper, for example).

5. Wheat Bagels

You'll discover that you're consuming a lot of calories and carbohydrates from sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup if you read the label on your "whole wheat bagel." Likewise, don't be fooled by the word "wheat": Grain products marketed as "whole wheat" are really just refined white bread. Even the low-fat cream cheese spread on top of your bagel ups the calorie content, making it unfriendly to your diet goals for losing belly fat. Take two pieces of "100% whole grain wheat" toast in their place. Add 2 tablespoons of nut butter on top for a satisfying, nutritious fat.

6. Veggie burgers

Many vegetarian burgers served in restaurants are laden with harmful fats like butter. To increase the protein and provide a "burger-like" texture, some frozen patties use soy protein isolate. However, this processed filler element often gives individuals gas, which increases tummy bloating. Additionally, a lot of veggie burger patties include 400 grams of salt, which increases water retention. Choose a turkey burger if you do consume meat. Watch your salt intake at home and make sure vegetables are among the first components. Avoid foods containing soy or wheat protein isolates and substitute chickpeas, beans, or quinoa for your protein needs.

7. Freeze-Dried "Diet-Friendly" Meals

So-called "healthy" frozen diet meals often include additives (maltodextrin, triglycerides), preservatives (nitrates, sulphites), and salt (600 grams), all of which contribute to bloating and are thus unsuitable for a belly fat diet. However, fresh vegetables are less nutritious than simple frozen vegetables since they are often selected at their ripest throughout the season. Heat a tablespoon of sesame oil, then add two cups of frozen vegetables and one serving of frozen chicken for a nutritious supper in ten minutes. Put a frozen quinoa package in the microwave. Combine, then serve with low-sodium Asian dipping sauce.

8. Sports beverages

Simply because something is called "sport," doesn't mean it's healthy. While some bottles of sports drinks contain more than 500 calories and 30 grams of refined sugar, the majority of them are really just sugar water. After working out at the gym, drink some water and eat a medium banana for a nutritious boost. Bananas provide 14 grams of good carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and potassium, a naturally occurring electrolyte that aids in restoring the equilibrium of the body's fluids. Tired of the same old water? For a delightful substitute, add real fruits and herbs to a water infuser, such raspberries and mint.

Protein Bars 9.

Most protein bars are among the worst for your waistline since they include extra fiber (chicory root and inulin) and 20 grams of carbohydrates (glucose syrup, cane invert syrup) that can impede weight reduction as well as types of protein (such whey or soy protein isolate). Additionally, a lot of products labeled as "low sugar" still include sugar and sugar alcohols (such as stevia leaf extract, tagatose, and trehalose), which may also make you feel bloated and gassy. A hard-boiled egg is a great choice for a snack if you want a portion of protein and healthful fat.

10. Couscous

Although couscous may resemble a whole grain, it is really more similar to pasta. However, since couscous uses crushed durum wheat semolina rather than the ground kind found in pasta, it is a little less refined. Whole wheat couscous, its less refined relative, is a superior choice. Better still, choose quinoa or whole wheat pasta, both of which offer 2 to 3 times as much fiber and a comparable amount of protein in 1 cup (look for "100% whole wheat" on the ingredients list).

11. Low-fat

Granola Store-bought kinds of granola often have extra sugar and canola oil, and the low-fat variety is typically no better since it frequently has even more sugar. Want some crunch? Take control of the oils and sugars by making your own granola at home. Select a prepared food from a supermarket that has no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving and seek for whole foods like oats and almonds in the first two to three components. Also, remember to look at the serving size: If you're not paying attention, the differences between certain serving sizes—some 1/4 cup and others 1/2 cup—amount to a lot.