If you are trying to eat healthier this spring, the good news is that there are so many delicious, whole, unprocessed foods that you can start incorporating into your diet. Along with that, there are some foods that you should probably start keeping in moderation, in order to ensure that your metabolism is running as quickly as it can be.
With that in mind, keep reading for the 4 foods you should stop eating in 2021 because they wreck your metabolism.
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Yogurt
Yogurt sounds like a healthy, weight loss-friendly snack option. And if you're eating Greek yogurt, it is. Unfortunately, other traditional types of yogurt have the opposite effect due to their lack of protein.
Alissa Rumsey, RD and former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells Eat This, Not That!, "If you aren't consuming enough protein to keep your muscles and cells healthy, the body ends up breaking down muscle to access the nutrients it needs—and this spells trouble. Less muscle mass means a slower metabolism, which over time, can cause weight gain."
Granola
Granola is another snack food that is often marketed as healthy. Unfortunately, if weight loss is your aim, it's best to steer clear from granola and granola bars.
Lisa Moskovitz, RDN, the CEO of the New York Nutrition Group in New York City, tells Everyday Health, "Granola is one of those mythical health foods that has a lot of calories [and] can have a lot of sugar." Try to keep this sweet treat in moderation, or experiment with making a batch at home to ensure you aren't adding too much sugar to your diet.
Refined Grains
Processed foods, like refined grains, are not a good idea for keeping your metabolism going. White breads and pasta might taste great, but they do not have the same benefits of whole grains.
"The body does not have to burn any extra calories to try to break down these easy-to-digest-foods, leaving your metabolism operating at a slower level," Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD, CEO of F-Factor in New York City, tells Runner's World. "Foods that are high in fiber like whole wheat bread ramp up your metabolism due to the extra work required to try and break down the indigestible fiber."
Fruit Juice
Okay, so fruit juice is not technically a food, but, considering how often it is added to smoothies, it still deserves a spot on this list. Depending on the brand, fruit juice can be extremely high in sugar, which can be a problem if weight loss is your goal. Plus, a large serving of fruit juice can turn your healthy smoothie into something else entirely.
Try to stick to whole fruits to keep your metabolism running properly.
