Dietitian reveals 10 popular foods that can secretly gain weight
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Disclaimer: This article cannot be considered medical advice. Remember to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
Maintaining a healthy weight becomes increasingly important for our overall well-being as we get older. It's not just about looking good; it's about feeling good and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
However, even the most health-conscious can be caught off guard by seemingly innocent foods that secretly contribute to weight gain.
Today, we're taking a closer look at the advice from a dietitian who has pinpointed 10 popular foods that might be sneakily sabotaging your weight loss goals.
Weight loss coach and dietician Tayla has shared her insights into the foods many consume without realising their impact on our waistlines.
Tayla's advice has resonated with many who are trying to shed pounds without sacrificing their favourite treats.
'Here are the top 10 foods that are making you gain weight,’ Tayla said in her video online.
'Of course you can only gain weight if you're in a calorie surplus or none of these foods are bad. They are just sneakily high in calories.'
Let's dive into her list and explore why these foods might be problematic, as well as how we can enjoy them responsibly.
1. Muffins
Often perceived as a quick and convenient breakfast option, muffins can be deceptively high in calories.
'You know those muffins from Costco that are like big, yummy, delicious, and taste so good for breakfast? I want you to guess how many calories are in one of those. If you guessed between 700 and 900 calories, then you would be correct,’ Tayla said.
'It's like eating cake for breakfast, which is delicious, just higher in calories.'
2. Granola
This crunchy snack is frequently marketed as a health food, but it can pack a hefty calorie punch, with a cup of granola ranging from ‘400 to 500 calories’.
She warned to eat granola with caution because it’s ‘not as low calories as you may think’.
3. Nuts
'Number three are nuts, of course, they are very nutritious, but a cup of these roasted almonds will run you 600 calories,' she said.
Enjoy nuts in moderation, and consider portioning them out ahead of time to avoid overindulgence.
4. Peanut Butter
Another nutrient-rich food, peanut butter, is often overeaten.
A single serving of two tablespoons comes in at around 200 calories.
Tayla advised to use ‘good portion control’ when snacking on this food.
5. Dried Fruit
'Number five is dried fruit. Not only are they very calorie dense, but they usually have a lot of added sugar in them too,' Tayla said.
Some people also experience digestive discomfort from them. Choose fresh fruit where possible, or look for dried varieties with no added sugar and enjoy them in small amounts.
6. Pasta
It's easy to overeat pasta, especially when we don't measure our portions.
'Number six is pasta, not because it's bad by any means, but it's just really easy to overeat. So next time you're cooking up your pasta, make sure you measure it to see what a two-ounce serving actually looks like,' she said.
7. Chips
A common snack food, chips are another item that's easy to consume in large quantities without realising it.
‘I want you to check out these tortilla chips. One serving is only seven chips,’ Tayla said.
'When was the last time you only ate seven chips?'
8. Salad Dressing
Salad dressings can quickly turn a healthy salad into a calorie bomb.
'So typically one serving is two tablespoons, but two tablespoons can easily turn into four,' she said.
9. Alcohol
Consuming alcohol adds extra calories to your diet and can impede fat metabolism.
'This one is probably obvious because, of course, it's going to be extra calories, but when you're in a calorie deficit, and you're trying to burn body fat when you're consuming alcohol, your body has to stop metabolising fat in order to get through to the alcohol,’ Tayla noted.
'So it essentially blocks your ability to lose fat while you're drinking it and a little bit afterwards.’
10. Eating Out
Restaurant meals often contain more calories than home-cooked dishes.
When dining out, be mindful of portion sizes, ask for dressings and sauces on the side, and consider packing half of your meal for later.
Tayla's advice has struck a chord with many online, sparking discussions and gratitude for shedding light on these dietary pitfalls.
One said, 'Wow, granola surprised me!'
'Thanks, this is good information,’ someone else added.
A third added, 'Time to avoid these until summer.'
'My granola, nooo,' a fourth said.
You can watch Tayla’s video below:
Credit: @dietitiantayla / TikTok
Have you found certain foods unexpectedly high in calories? How do you manage to include these foods in your diet while maintaining a healthy weight? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
Maintaining a healthy weight becomes increasingly important for our overall well-being as we get older. It's not just about looking good; it's about feeling good and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
However, even the most health-conscious can be caught off guard by seemingly innocent foods that secretly contribute to weight gain.
Today, we're taking a closer look at the advice from a dietitian who has pinpointed 10 popular foods that might be sneakily sabotaging your weight loss goals.
Weight loss coach and dietician Tayla has shared her insights into the foods many consume without realising their impact on our waistlines.
Tayla's advice has resonated with many who are trying to shed pounds without sacrificing their favourite treats.
Dietitian and weight loss coach Tayla explained the 10 foods that could make one gain weight. Credit: @dietitiantayla / TikTok
'Here are the top 10 foods that are making you gain weight,’ Tayla said in her video online.
'Of course you can only gain weight if you're in a calorie surplus or none of these foods are bad. They are just sneakily high in calories.'
Let's dive into her list and explore why these foods might be problematic, as well as how we can enjoy them responsibly.
1. Muffins
Often perceived as a quick and convenient breakfast option, muffins can be deceptively high in calories.
'You know those muffins from Costco that are like big, yummy, delicious, and taste so good for breakfast? I want you to guess how many calories are in one of those. If you guessed between 700 and 900 calories, then you would be correct,’ Tayla said.
'It's like eating cake for breakfast, which is delicious, just higher in calories.'
2. Granola
This crunchy snack is frequently marketed as a health food, but it can pack a hefty calorie punch, with a cup of granola ranging from ‘400 to 500 calories’.
She warned to eat granola with caution because it’s ‘not as low calories as you may think’.
3. Nuts
'Number three are nuts, of course, they are very nutritious, but a cup of these roasted almonds will run you 600 calories,' she said.
Enjoy nuts in moderation, and consider portioning them out ahead of time to avoid overindulgence.
4. Peanut Butter
Another nutrient-rich food, peanut butter, is often overeaten.
A single serving of two tablespoons comes in at around 200 calories.
Tayla advised to use ‘good portion control’ when snacking on this food.
Be mindful of the calories of the foods you’re eating. Credit: Shutterstock
5. Dried Fruit
'Number five is dried fruit. Not only are they very calorie dense, but they usually have a lot of added sugar in them too,' Tayla said.
Some people also experience digestive discomfort from them. Choose fresh fruit where possible, or look for dried varieties with no added sugar and enjoy them in small amounts.
6. Pasta
It's easy to overeat pasta, especially when we don't measure our portions.
'Number six is pasta, not because it's bad by any means, but it's just really easy to overeat. So next time you're cooking up your pasta, make sure you measure it to see what a two-ounce serving actually looks like,' she said.
7. Chips
A common snack food, chips are another item that's easy to consume in large quantities without realising it.
‘I want you to check out these tortilla chips. One serving is only seven chips,’ Tayla said.
'When was the last time you only ate seven chips?'
8. Salad Dressing
Salad dressings can quickly turn a healthy salad into a calorie bomb.
'So typically one serving is two tablespoons, but two tablespoons can easily turn into four,' she said.
9. Alcohol
Consuming alcohol adds extra calories to your diet and can impede fat metabolism.
'This one is probably obvious because, of course, it's going to be extra calories, but when you're in a calorie deficit, and you're trying to burn body fat when you're consuming alcohol, your body has to stop metabolising fat in order to get through to the alcohol,’ Tayla noted.
'So it essentially blocks your ability to lose fat while you're drinking it and a little bit afterwards.’
10. Eating Out
Restaurant meals often contain more calories than home-cooked dishes.
When dining out, be mindful of portion sizes, ask for dressings and sauces on the side, and consider packing half of your meal for later.
Tayla's advice has struck a chord with many online, sparking discussions and gratitude for shedding light on these dietary pitfalls.
One said, 'Wow, granola surprised me!'
'Thanks, this is good information,’ someone else added.
A third added, 'Time to avoid these until summer.'
'My granola, nooo,' a fourth said.
You can watch Tayla’s video below:
Credit: @dietitiantayla / TikTok
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