1. Protein Bars
Protein bars are a super-trendy food right now, especially since people are emphasizing just how important protein is in an everyday diet. However, not all protein bars are created equal, and some can include a lot of ingredients that can wreak havoc on your gut later on.
"Generally, most protein bars are essentially glorified candy bars with a sprinkle of protein," notes dietitian Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD at Live it Up. "The ones that taste sweet, but are marketed as no sugar, also often contain sugar alcohols, which are known to cause gas and bloating. Eating whole food sources of lean protein like poultry, seafood, and eggs is much more effective at managing weight."
2. Low-Calorie Cereal
Cereal is a super-popular breakfast item in numerous households. After all, it's easy to eat, prepare, and customize. Many boxed cereals are packed with refined sugar, and unfortunately, some of the super healthy-looking ones aren't always that great either.
"No matter how much marketing you've seen for 'diet cereal,' there's actually a shocking lack of cereals that contain enough fiber to call them health foods," says Moody. "Without this fiber, most breakfast cereals are digested very quickly, which keeps your hunger coming back long before it's lunchtime and can usually cause overeating and weight gain."
3. Fruit Juice
Have you ever been in a health food store or market and seen rows and rows of fruit juices? When consumed in moderation, natural fruit juice can be a very nice treat. Still, they're a high-sugar item, so when they're consumed frequently, or you purchase ones with added sugar, they can slow down solid weight loss results.
"Though fruit juice is certainly a more nutritious beverage than something like soda, as it usually contains some micronutrients like vitamin C, it's still not recommended to drink your calories when you're trying to manage weight," explains Moody. "Furthermore, the biggest setback in terms of drinking fruit juice compared to just eating the fruit itself is that there's no fiber to slow the digestion, which means you end up just drinking a large quantity of sugar in one sitting."
4. Oat Milk
Oat milk is super trendy right now, as people have been exploring alternative milk options aside from dairy milk. However, various dietitians and health experts have been warning against oat milks, as many come with added sugars, and the starchy milk can cause a spike in blood sugar.
"There is a misconception that plant-based milks are healthier and better for weight loss than cow's milk, but this is far from the truth," notes Moody. "Some of these dairy alternatives, like oat milk, often contain added sugars that can not only cause bloat, but also make for a higher-calorie beverage. Also, oat milk doesn't have the same protein content as cow's milk, which can stall weight loss in terms of not being as effective at stalling hunger."
5. Açaí Bowls
Sometimes, a colorful and packed-to-the-brim açaí bowl, especially on a warm day, can be really delicious and refreshing. However, eating these on a frequent basis, even if you make them at home, might not be the best idea for preventing bloating or keeping up a maintainable weight loss.
"Though highly marketed as a health food, these tend to be very carb-heavy meals unless heavily supplemented with a protein source like whey protein powder or a ton of Greek yogurt," explains Moody. "So what you end up with is a high-calorie bowl full of fruit and nut butter, which is certainly healthy, but can stall weight loss if eaten too often."
6. Greens Powder
Green juices and powders are a bit controversial in the eyes of health experts, as they might contain vitamins and minerals, but they're still not as beneficial as including green vegetables in your diet on a daily basis.
"It's crazy how much sugar and extra ingredients they put in greens powders to make them taste better than vegetables, but these ingredients can cause some serious bloating," adds Moody. "You can lose weight much more effectively by simply eating vegetables as they provide the stomach with a lot more volume, but with fewer calories."