Many foods and products that people reach for when trying to shed pounds don’t actually aid weight loss and can even harm health. A clinician from the Maroseyka Clinic explained this to socialbites.ca.
Smoothies and fruit juices, especially those made from vegetables and fruit, were highlighted among items that may not support a healthy weight-reduction plan.
Popular diet plans that rely on smoothies and juices without substituting other foods for several days offer no clear advantage over a balanced, varied diet. Such approaches can worsen existing conditions in individuals with carbohydrate metabolism issues or gastrointestinal problems, the clinician warned.
The recommendation emphasized five servings of vegetables and fruit daily, with each portion about 80 grams. Natural, unsweetened fruit juice derived from whole fruits and vegetables counts as one portion, regardless of quantity consumed. Awareness around avocado is important during weight loss, given its higher calorie and fat content compared to many other fruits and vegetables.
Calories matter. An average avocado contains roughly 240 calories and about 22 grams of fat, which can surpass the energy contribution of more common produce, the clinician noted.
Attention should be paid to the use of dried fruits, which may deliver more sugar and calories per serving than their fresh counterparts, the expert added.
It was advised that ready-made muesli can carry excess sugar. When shopping, choose products without additives and pair them with low-fat yogurt and your preferred fruit at mealtime.
Added sugars can also be present in dairy products such as yogurt, cottage cheese, or kefir. Consideration of fat, protein, calcium, and added sugar in each item is important. The recommendation is to include medium-fat dairy products without added sugar in a weight-management diet.
Protein bars were another topic of caution. Some bars contain added sugar and a relatively high calorie count. A well-balanced bar should offer at least 10 grams of protein per serving, provide 150–250 calories, and contain under 5 grams of added sugar.
Earlier discussions described a tasty alternative to morning coffee.