It’s no secret that junk food is bad for you – it’s loaded with unhealthy fats, sugar, and calories. But even if you’re aware of the negative effects junk food has on your diet, it can be hard to resist temptation. Especially when junk foods are so readily available and affordable. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to be aware of the 30 worst junk foods that make it harder for you to shed pounds.
1. Potato Chips
Potato chips are one of the worst offenders when it comes to diet-sabotaging junk foods. They’re high in calories and fat, and they don’t do anything to help fill you up or provide essential nutrients. In fact, potato chips can actually make you feel hungrier, since they stimulate your appetite with their salty flavor. If you’re trying to lose weight, potato chips are one food you should definitely avoid.
2. French Fries
French fries are one of the worst offenders when it comes to junk foods. They’re high in unhealthy fats and calories, and they’re often served with sugary sauces or dips. French fries can also slow down your metabolism, making it harder for you to lose weight. If you’re trying to slim down, avoid french fries – and any other fried foods. Instead, opt for healthier alternatives like roasted vegetables or a salad.
3. Fatty Red Meat
Not only is it high in calories and saturated fat, but it also contains cholesterol and can lead to weight gain. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid fatty red meat altogether. Choose leaner cuts of meat like chicken or fish, or go for vegetarian options like beans and lentils.
4. Processed Meat
Processed meats like bacon, sausage, and pepperoni are some of the worst offenders when it comes to junk food. Not only are they high in calories and fat, but they also contain nitrates and preservatives that can slow down your metabolism. Processed meats are also associated with an increased risk of cancer. So if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
5. Restaurant Desserts
They’re often large, high in sugar and calories, and lack any real nutritional value. And since they’re usually a special treat, we tend to overindulge when we have them. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid restaurant desserts altogether.
6. Alcohol
Alcohol contains empty calories that can quickly sabotage your weight-loss efforts. In addition, alcohol slows down your metabolism, making it harder for you to burn off fat. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether.
7. Sugary, Refined Cereals
Refined cereals are another diet-sabotaging junk food. Although they may be fortified with vitamins and minerals, they’re also high in sugar and calories. What’s more, the body processes refined carbs more quickly, which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels. If you’re trying to lose weight, stick to whole grain cereals that are lower in sugar.
8. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Like Soda
Sugary sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks are loaded with empty calories. And although fruit juices may seem like a healthier alternative, they’re actually just as high in sugar. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid all sugary beverages.
9. Diet Soda
Diet soda may seem like a good way to cut calories, but it’s actually one of the worst drinks for your diet. Diet sodas are loaded with artificial sweeteners, which have been linked to weight gain and other health problems.
10. Chocolate Bars
Chocolate bars are one of the most popular junk foods in America. And while a small amount of chocolate can be part of a healthy diet, most chocolate bars are loaded with sugar and calories. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid chocolate bars altogether.
11. Pretzels
Pretzels are often marketed as a healthy snack, but they’re actually loaded with empty calories and carbs. Pretzels will make you feel hungry, so you’ll end up eating more throughout the day.
12. Canned Soup
Canned soup might seem like a healthy option, but most varieties are loaded with sodium and preservatives. Canned soup can also be very high in calories, even if it’s labeled as “low-fat” or “light.”
13. Pancake Syrups
Pancake syrups, salad dressings, and condiments are often loaded with sugar and calories. Even “healthy” condiments like ketchup and BBQ sauce can sabotage your diet. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid all processed sauces and dressings.
14. Granola Bars
Granola is often touted as a healthy breakfast option, but many granolas are loaded with sugar and calories. A single cup of granola can have upwards of 400 calories, which makes it difficult to lose weight if you’re eating it regularly. If you’re trying to slim down, opt for a granola that’s low in sugar and calories, or better yet, make your own granola at home.
15. Muffins
Muffins are often seen as a healthy breakfast or snack option, but most muffins are loaded with sugar and calories. A single jumbo muffin can have over 500 calories and 50 grams of sugar. And while there are some healthier muffin options out there, it’s best to limit your intake to one per day.
16. Bagels and Croissants
Bagels and croissants are two of the worst offenders when it comes to diet-sabotaging junk foods. They’re often loaded with empty calories and have little nutritional value. Bagels in particular are notorious for slowing down your metabolism, which makes it harder for you to lose weight.
17. Doughnuts
They’re loaded with sugar and calories, and they offer very little in terms of nutrition. Doughnuts are often fried, which makes them even worse for you. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to steer clear of doughnuts.
18. Drive-Thru Fast Foods
From McDonald’s to Burger King, drive-thru fast food joints are notorious for their unhealthy menu options. While there are some healthier choices available at most fast food restaurants, the majority of their items are high in calories, fat, and sodium. And since they’re typically served in large portions, it’s easy to overeat. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid drive-thru fast food joints altogether.
19. Refined Sugar
Sack with pure sugar on table
Not only is it empty calories, but it also causes a spike in blood sugar levels, which can lead to cravings and overeating. Refined sugar is found in many processed foods, including candy, cookies, cakes, and sugary drinks. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid junk foods that contain refined sugar.
20. Bottled Smoothies
Bottled smoothies may seem like a healthy choice, but they’re often loaded with sugar and calories. And while some bottled smoothies do contain fruit, they also usually have added sweeteners that can sabotage your weight loss efforts. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to bottled smoothies, make your own at home using fresh or frozen fruit, unsweetened almond milk, and a protein powder of your choice. You can also add a handful of spinach or kale for an extra nutrient boost.
21. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is often touted as a healthy snack, but it’s important to remember that it’s still candy. Dried fruit is loaded with sugar, and can quickly add up in calories. A small handful of raisins has about 120 calories – that’s the same as a chocolate chip cookie! If you’re looking for a healthy snack that will help you lose weight, reach for fresh fruit instead of dried.
22. Refined Pasta
Although it may seem like a healthy option, refined pasta is made with bleached flour that has been stripped of its nutrients. Refined pasta also has a high glycemic index, which means it raises your blood sugar levels quickly and can lead to weight gain.
23. Beer
Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the world, but it’s also one of the worst for your diet. A single can of beer has 150 calories and 15 grams of carbs, and drinking just two beers a day can add an extra pound to your weight every month. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to limit your intake of beer to one or two drinks per week.
24. Large Coffee Drinks
A Venti Starbucks Frappuccino can have over 600 calories – that’s more than a McDonald’s Big Mac! If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to stick to black coffee or tea.
25. Cookies
Cookies are one of the most popular junk foods – and for good reason. They’re sweet, delicious, and easy to eat on the go. But cookies are also loaded with sugar and calories, which can sabotage your weight loss efforts. If you’re trying to cut back on cookies, opt for a healthier alternative like fruit or whole-wheat crackers.
26. Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is a common ingredient in processed foods. It’s also one of the worst oils you can consume if you’re trying to lose weight. Soybean oil is high in omega-six fatty acids, which have been linked to obesity and other chronic health conditions. What’s more, soybean oil is typically highly refined, meaning it has been stripped of its natural nutrients. Stick to healthier oils like olive oil or avocado oil instead.
27. Burgers
Burgers are a dieter’s worst enemy. A typical fast food burger can have over 700 calories, and even if you make a healthier version at home, it’s still easy to overeat. Burgers are also high in saturated fat, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to limit your burger intake to once a week or less.
28. Conventional Beef
Not only is it high in saturated fat and calories, but it also contains hormones and antibiotics that can screw with your metabolism. If you’re trying to lose weight, opt for grass-fed beef instead – it’s leaner and healthier.
29. Pizza
Pizza is one of the most popular junk foods out there – and for good reason. It’s delicious, it’s easy to eat on the go, and it’s always a hit with kids. But pizza is also loaded with empty calories and unhealthy fats. A large pizza can easily have over 1000 calories, which is more than half of the daily recommended caloric intake for adults. If you’re trying to lose weight, pizza is one of the worst foods you can eat.
30. Restaurant Foods With Trans Fats
Trans fats are one of the worst types of fats you can eat. Not only do trans fats increase your risk of heart disease, but they also promote weight gain. Trans fats are found in many processed foods, such as cookies, crackers, and fried foods. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to avoid trans fats altogether.
