What Unhealthy Foods to Avoid

Choosing foods and beverages that are highly processed, loaded with sugar or high in calories can sabotage your weight loss efforts.

Not only are items like candy, fried foods and soda not good for weight loss — they aren't good for overall health.

Eating too much processed food and products laden with sweeteners can increase the risk of chronic diseases.

For example, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, fruit punch and juices every day has been associated with increased risks of diabetes, obesity and heart disease .Trusted So.

Plus, consuming unhealthy foods can make it harder for you to lose fat and maintain a healthy weight.

For optimal health, minimize the following foods or avoid them altogether:

• Sweetened beverages: Soda, fruit juice, sweetened tea, sweet lassi, sports drinks
• High-sugar foods: Candy, ice cream, cookies, rice pudding, pastries, cakes, sweetened yogurt, high-sugar cereals, digestive biscuits
• Sweeteners: Jaggery, sugar, honey, condensed milk
• Sweetened sauces: Salad dressings with added sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, sweetened curries
• High-fat foods: Fast food like McDonald’s, french fries, chips, fried foods, bhujia
• Refined grains: Products including white bread, white pasta, biscuits
• Trans fats: Margarine, vanaspati, fast food, highly processed foods
• Refined oils: Canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, grapeseed oil

Although it’s perfectly fine to enjoy an occasional treat, limiting the foods and beverages listed above is best for overall health.

SUMMARYAvoiding sweetened beverages, fast food, fried items and products high in added sugar can help you lose weight and get healthier.