Food

3 High-Sugar Foods Dietitians Say You Should Avoid Because They Lead To Inflammation And Weight Gain

September 24, 2022 by Faith Geiger
shefinds | Food

Ah, sugar… Our taste buds love it, but our bodies? Not so much. If you typically run into sugar cravings, you may find it hard to kick your sweet habit. But as it turns out, consuming too much of your favorite snacks and pastries can be detrimental to your overall health—and your weight loss goals.

To learn more about how sugar affects our bodies and discover some of the worst high-sugar foods out there that could be holding you back from losing weight, we spoke to dietitians Sara Chatfield of Healthcanal, Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, and Juliana Tamayo, RD, MS. They pointed out three in particular: candy, donuts, and sweetened yogurt. Read on for all of their expert insight!

 

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close-up of multi-colored skittles

1. Fruity Candy

This one probably won't come as a shock: According to Hunnes, one of the worst sugary foods for your health is, unsurprisingly, fruity candy. She warns against varieties like jellybeans and Skittles, which are also typically packed with artificial food dyes. While it can be hard to resist your sweet tooth when you're browsing the candy aisle, Hunnes warns that eating too much of these snacks will "increase insulin production and can be stressful to the entire body system, leading to inflammation." Of course, it can also eventually result in unwanted weight gain because "sugar increases insulin output, which helps store excess sugar/calories as fat." Yikes! Guess we'll limit our Starburst intake as much as possible from now on.

glazed krispy kreme donuts in box

2. Donuts

Although they may be a delicious way to start your day (especially when dunked in some coffee), it would be an understatement to say that donuts aren't the best thing you can put in your body first thing in the morning. "While donuts are a tasty treat, they’re best consumed occasionally and not as a regular breakfast or dessert," Chatfield tells us. The sugar content of this popular carb is astounding. For this reason, eating too much of them can "lead your body to produce too much insulin, causing inflammation." Of course you deserve a bit of a sweet treat every now and then, but it's best to save this one for once in a blue moon, especially if you're trying to lose weight.

rows of yogurt in grocery store

3. Sweetened Yogurt

Don't get us wrong—yogurt can be great for you. The right kind will pack in protein, improve your gut health, and keep you fuller for longer. However, you'll run into issues when you choose sweetened, sugary varieties, which can spike your blood sugar and ultimately lead to inflammation and weight gain. "These days, you will notice that commercial yogurts are full of sugar and sweeteners with minimal protein content," Tamayo says, advising people who care about their health to "avoid regular yogurts that have no protein and only give you excess sugar." For the best results, opt for unsweetened Greek yogurt and pack it with healthy toppings that will make it taste great and make your body feel (and look!) fantastic.

Overall, the main key to any healthy diet is balance and moderation. If you're really craving a handful of Skittles at the movie theater or a glazed donut as a Sunday treat, we're not going to tell you that you should never indulge again. However, when it comes to keeping your health in check and your waistline slim, limiting your intake of sugary foods is a good rule of thumb—and these are just a few to keep in mind.

Author:

Editorial Assistant

Faith Geiger is a New York-based writer and editor. When she's not covering the latest in health and wellness for SheFinds, she spends her time watching reality TV with her roommates, browsing used bookstores, and enjoying live music. You can reach Faith at [email protected].

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