Diet Watch: What Food Makes You Gain Weight Without Realizing It?

Much to your surprise, you eat some foods which you think are healthy, and these become the reasons for you to gain weight unknowingly. Not every food that you eat is problematic, and your food choices aren’t the reason that you are gaining weight.

Many so-called healthier alternatives carry hidden calories, added sugars, and other points that add up quickly and make you gain weight. To eat smarter, you need to know what food makes you gain weight.

So, here in this guide, we will help you recognize 9 sneaky foods that can cause weight gain and why they’re such stealthy saboteurs to your goals.

9 Food That Makes You Gain Weight Without Realizing It

Here is a list of some food items that make you gain weight and you would not even realize it in the first place:

Flavored Yogurt

Flavored yogurts may sound like a healthful snack, but they often have added sugars that can mean the difference between a good and a bad food habit. You think you’re picking the low-fat option, but in order to make up for the loss of fat, it is often replaced by sugar. This can lead to an increase in your calorie intake, which can be much higher than you may have intended.

Besides, the sweetened yoghurts don’t keep you full for long, which makes you feel hungry sooner, prompting you to snack later. Choose plain yogurt and add fresh fruit to save calories and make your intake better.

Granola And Cereal Bars

Granola and cereal bars are often promoted as easy, healthy snacks, but many are packed with sugar, oils, and other harmful preservatives. These bars can contain as many calories as candy bars, but you may eat them under the assumption that they’re healthy.

Some bars have secret syrups and added fats that further contribute to your weight gain. Thus, opting for bars that contain straightforward, natural ingredients and are lower in sugar are obvious ways to avoid consuming more calories than intended.

Smoothies And Acai Bowls

Smoothies and acai bowls may look like healthy snacks, but they tend to be high in sugars from fruits, honey, and nut butter. These add-ons speed up your calorie count fast without making you feel full for long.

If you like consuming these smoothies and other liquid food, consider using portion control and be mindful not to add too many sweet toppings. Moreover, whole fresh fruit is likely the best option to keep calories in check so that you can manage your weight better.

Dried Fruit

The dried-fruit snack consists of slightly more sugar and calories than fresh fruits. However, you still crave to eat those because they are convenient and tasty, and you can easily over consume them.

You can easily eat a large amount in one sitting without realizing you’ve taken in way more sugar and calories than you thought you’d consumed because these dry fruits do not have any water. Hence, it does not make you feel fuller easily, and this is what makes dried fruit a stealthy source of weight gain.

For a healthier way to munch on dried fruit without going completely overboard, portion out the recommended serving size and put some nuts or seeds with it since they’re great sources of fiber and protein and help you feel fuller for longer.

Nut Butters

You can find many different types of nut butter in the market now that claim themselves to be healthy. Nut butters, such as creamy peanuts or almonds are healthy but are dense as well.

It can be easy to eat more than you should because you can easily dip into the jar with a spoon without even realizing how many calories you’re eating in one serving. And even the so-called healthy fats can also add up fast when you lose sight of your portion sizes.

Therefore, try to find natural nut butter that is free from added sugars or oils, as they add unnecessary calories to your intake. Calibrate portion control and tracking your serving size can help make sure you enjoy the perks without accidentally putting on pounds and increasing your weight.

Restaurant Salads

Salads aren’t always as good for us as they appear, especially when you order them at restaurants. Dressings, cheese, croutons and other toppings might bring added fats and sugars while also rapidly adding to the count of calories in your meal.

You may feel like you’re having something low-fat, but the add-ons are the thing that makes salads calorific. To avoid this, request dressings on the side, steer clear of calorie-laden toppings, and try to eat more fresh vegetables and lean protein so your meal is still filling but is less caloric in consumption.

White Bread and Bagels

White breads and bagels are made with refined flour. This can spike blood sugar and leave you feeling hungry soon after.

If you eat only one or two slices, the calories can still add up quickly and contribute to weight gain without your knowledge. Opting for whole grain versions may make you feel full longer and be more satisfied with fewer bites, helping you keep your weight in check.

Fruit Juices

Fruit juices might look like a healthy option, but they do not provide the fiber that whole fruits do. This is because the natural sugars in the juice are absorbed fast, spiking your blood sugar and leading you to become hungry sooner.

Instead, go for whole fruits, as they contain fiber that slows the absorption of sugar and keeps you full for longer.

If you do drink juice, opt for small amounts and stay away from added sugars to avoid calorie intake.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol contains “empty” calories with no nutritional value, which can contribute to weight gain. You may not know just how much alcohol contributes to your daily caloric intake, especially when it comes to sugary mixers or in the form of cocktails.

Alcohol also reduces inhibitions, leading more easily to overeating or junk-food snacking. Limiting your alcohol consumption can help you avoid unwanted weight gain and stay in control of your diet.

Conclusion

Now that you know what food makes you gain weight. It is wise to hope that you can make a better decision at this point. Knowing about the invisible sugars, fats, and calories will help you detect traps that will hinder your progress.

Therefore, eat whole, natural foods that will help keep your weight maintained and support your weight goals better.