Inflammation isn’t only uncomfortable; it can also put you at risk for serious health issues when it becomes chronic, including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Additionally, inflammation can lead to unwanted weight gain over time, and vice versa. Luckily, there are several lifestyle changes you can make in order to keep this issue to a minimum—including cutting certain foods and beverages out of your daily diet.
We likely don’t have to tell you twice that cutting down on sugar is a major key to a healthy life. However, it can be difficult to go cold turkey, especially if you’re a fan of the sweeter things in life. That’s why we checked in with registered dietitian Dana Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, and author of Recipe For Survival to get her take on the absolute worst sugary food you should cut out of your diet if you want to lose weight and fight inflammation. She says your favorite candy may be holding you back.
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Fruity Candy
If you have a sweet tooth, we certainly can't blame you. There's no denying that there's nothing quite like like digging into a bag of your favorite candy while watching television. However, Hunnes has some bad news for those of us that find ourselves returning to the candy jar again and again: she says fruity, sugary candy is one of the worst foods you can eat if you want to avoid inflammation and weight gain.
"The worst sugary food is probably something like jellybeans or pure-sugary candy like Skittles," Hunnes notes, pointing out that the latter are also "full of food dyes," which definitely isn't the healthiest ingredient for your body, either. Although your taste buds may go crazy for these candies, she warns that they "increase insulin production and can be stressful on the entire body system, leading to inflammation." Say it ain't so!
You likely already know that eating any sort of sugar-loaded food is never a good option if you want to lose weight, and it's also a major faux-pas for anyone who struggles with chronic inflammation. As Hunnes explains, "sugar increases insulin output which helps store excess sugar/calories as fat. These spikes can also increase cortisol production, which is both inflammatory and a stress response." For this reason, it's best to cut those rainbow-colored sweets out of your diet if you want to lose weight and keep your body happy and healthy.
That doesn't mean you have to give up on all treats, though! There are plenty of healthier options out there that you can eat on your weight loss journey without wreaking havoc on your body. Hunnes says fruit like dried dates, figs or craisins, is always a great option. And if you really can't live without some real candy, you can err on the healthier side with some dark chocolate. Your body—and waistline—will thank you!
