Steer clear of diet pitfalls by discovering the list of 10 NO-NO foods I completely avoided when losing 46 pounds in 4 months.
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Want to know my secret sauce for shedding a whopping 46 pounds in 4 months? Well, it first began when I discovered the power of intermittent fasting. I read three incredible intermittent fasting books and I was hooked!
In addition to practicing intermittent fasting, I said ‘adios’ to some not-so-weight-loss-friendly foods.
In this post, I’ll spill the beans on the 10 foods I ditched to transform into a healthier, happier me. Additionally, I’ll give you helpful strategies and tasty replacements for these NO-NO Foods so you can dive into a satisfying world of flavorful weight loss!
PASTA
While pasta is undeniably delicious, it’s extremely high in carbs, which can lead to a spike in blood sugar and, you guessed it, those extra pesky pounds. Pasta dishes often contain rich sauces, making them calorie-dense. A “calorie-dense food” is a type of food that has a lot of calories in a small amount, which can make it easy to consume too many calories if you eat too much of it. Additionally, most pasta is low in fiber and lacks essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy and balanced diet.
EASY FIX: Simply swap ZUCCHINI NOODLES (Zoodles) for traditional pasta noodles. Just by making this easy switch, you will save yourself about 200 calories and almost 40g carbs per cup. WOW, now that’s one smart swap!
RICE
Eating rice can sometimes make it tricky when you’re trying to lose weight. This is because it quickly fills up your belly, but it often doesn’t keep you feeling full for very long.
Did you know that one cup of cooked white rice contains just over 200 calories? In addition to being high in calories rice has a High Glycemic Index, meaning it can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to hunger and potential overeating. In addition to being very easy to overeat, rice is low in fiber and may also lead to insulin resistance.
EASY FIX: Use cauliflower to replace white rice. This is an incredible weight-loss-friendly food swap.
BREAD
Bread is absolutely one of the foods I avoided when l was losing 46 pounds in 4 months. In many ways, bread basically falls into the same diet trap as pasta and rice. Bread is often high in calories and low in fiber. Many commercial breads are made from refined grains, which have the nutritious layers removed, leaving behind mostly starchy carbohydrates. Additionally, many breads contain processed ingredients including added sugars and preservatives that can cause blood sugar spikes and hinder weight loss.
EASY FIX: Use Gluten-Free Almond Flour and Coconut Flour to make your own bread and other yummy low-carb baked goods. Once I stopped eating processed store-bought bread, the pounds really started to melt off. I love to use this organic brand of almond flour and this organic coconut flour to make my own tasty bread, mug cakes and more.
APPLES
Although, an apple a day may keep the doctor away, it may not be helping you keep the pounds away.
Did you know a medium-sized apple contains around 95 calories, 25g of carbohydrates and 19g of sugar? And, even though apples can be a very healthy snack, some people (like myself)may find that temporarily saying “NO” to them during the “losing weight phase” may prove to be very effective.
EASY FIX: Instead of munching on apples during your weight loss journey, opt for the 9 best fruits for weight loss.
POTATOES
Potatoes are such a very popular and versatile food. However, there are some real reasons why they may not be the best weight-loss friendly option for some people.
In addition to having a high glycemic index (GI), potatoes are relatively calorie-dense. Did you know that one medium-sized potato contains around 150 calories? And if you top that potato with toppings like butter, sour cream, or cheese, the calorie count really starts to skyrocket.
They are also low in fiber and high in starch. Potatoes are rich in starch, a type of carbohydrate that can be quickly broken down into sugars in the body. Consuming starchy foods in excess can definitely contribute to weight gain. Finally, and perhaps maybe the biggest weight loss issue with potatoes has to do with the way they are prepared. Frying them as french fries or potato chips increases their calorie content and makes them less healthy and suitable for weight loss.
EASY FIX: Did you know that CAULIFLOWER, JICAMA, TURNIPS, and ZUCCHINI make fantastic substitutions for potatoes? Try swapping your beloved mashed potatoes for this delicious cauliflower risotto recipe or for one of these tasty low-carb, weight-loss-friendly vegetable side dishes.
FRENCH FRIES
OMG, this one was really hard to give up, because french fries, especially the beloved salty, crispy, ones from McDonald’s, can be so tempting and delicious.
However, if you are really serious about losing weight, you absolutely must throw these greasy spud sticks out the window. French fries literally take a bath in hot oil before they land in your mouth. The oil smothers with unhealthy fats and a boatload of extra calories. Plus, french fries can be quite addictive, making it easy to gobble down way more than we should.
EASY FIX: Try replacing greasy french fries with jicama fries. Jicama is a low-carb, healthy alternative to the potato. With this easy and delicious Garlic Parmesan Jicama Fries recipe, you’ll be able to drive by the golden arches with ease.
BANANAS
I love bananas but they happened to be one of the foods I avoided while I was losing weight. While bananas are a nutritious fruit, there are some reasons why they may not be considered the most weight loss-friendly option for everyone.
First, bananas are relatively calorie-dense compared to some other fruits. A medium-sized banana contains between 105-120 calories, which can add up pretty quick. Next, bananas are naturally high in sugars, particularly fructose. While these sugars are natural, consuming too much sugar, even from natural sources, can contribute to weight gain. Additionally, bananas are relatively high in carbohydrates (27-30 grams in a medium-sized banana). Those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet for weight loss, should definitely consider limiting your banana intake. Finally, bananas have a moderate to high glycemic index (GI). This means they can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, leading to increased hunger and cravings.
EASY FIX: Instead of tossing a banana into your fat-burning smoothie, reach for a handful of the 9 best fruits for weight loss instead.
CARROTS
Carrots may seem innocent enough, but they can be a little sneaky when it comes to weight loss.
Although carrots are considered a healthy food, a medium-sized carrot contains about 3 grams of sugar and less than 1 gram of protein. Focusing on protein-packed vegetables, like green peas and spinach, can support weight loss by promoting a feeling of fullness. And, although fairly low, compared to foods like corn and potatoes, carrots are considered a starchy vegetable that may slow down your weight loss efforts.
EASY FIX: Simply avoid or limit your carrot consumption during your weight loss journey. Instead, replace carrots with any of these 10 best vegetables for weight loss.
ALCOHOL
Although alcohol is considered more of a drink than a food, it should, without question, be avoided when trying to lose weight.
Sipping on alcohol can be a definite diet disaster. First, it’s packed with sneaky calories, and those drinks can really add up! Second, when you’re tipsy, your willpower often takes a vacation, making it harder to say no to those tempting snacks. Third, alcohol can slow down your metabolism, making it trickier to shed those extra pounds.
EASY FIX: Simply avoid or limit your alcohol consumption during the “losing weight” phase of your weight loss journey. Then, once you’ve lost the weight, check out these tips and strategies that will help you find ways to occasionally enjoy a drink while easily maintaining your weight loss.
SUGAR
Sugar is definitely one of the most crucial foods I avoided when I was losing 46 pounds. I firmly believe that sugar is the devil when it comes to weight loss. It will, undoubtedly, sabotage your weight loss plan in an instant.
While sugar makes our taste buds dance, it’s not the best dance partner for your weight loss journey. Sugar can lead to sneaky calories that pile up quickly. It also causes your blood sugar to jump up and down, leaving you craving even more sugary treats. Plus, those extra calories can easily turn into extra pounds.
EASY FIX: When a sugar craving hits, opt for healthier choices like fresh fruit, protein-packed smoothies or a serving of this delicious Greek yogurt dessert. Staying hydrated can also help with sugar cravings. Sometimes, thirst can be mistaken for hunger or sugar cravings. Try drinking a glass of water before reaching for a sugary snack to ensure you’re not just thirsty. Finally, eating balanced, weight-loss-friendly meals can help stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing sugar cravings between meals.
That’s a Wrap!
So there you have it, my friend – the ten foods I avoided on my journey to shedding 46 pesky pounds! Losing weight can be challenging, but waving goodbye to some of these foods might just help you reach your weight loss goals a bit quicker. Try a few of the easy fix strategies and let me know how it goes.
Remember, it’s all about making choices that work for YOU and YOUR GOALS. Keep up the good work, stay motivated, and keep those pounds movin’ down! You’ve got this!
And… if you’re ready to go ALL IN and finally lose weight and get healthy FOR GOOD, I’m totally here for YOU! In my INTERMITTENT FASTING and WEIGHT LOSS MASTERCLASS: 6 Weeks to Sexy, I will teach you step-by-step, week-by-week, exactly HOW I lost 46 Pounds in 4 Months with Intermittent Fasting! I’ll share with you every single TIP, TRICK, RECIPE & STRATEGY that I used to reach my goal weight and maintain for over two years now! CLICK HERE if you’re ready to do this TOGETHER!