Losing weight and keeping it off is becoming increasingly difficult for many people who come to our weight loss clinic. You can work out regularly, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep, but the weight still creeps on. One of the reasons that this happens may be the abundance of processed foods out there. Processed foods have become one of the main villains in the weight loss wars, and for good reason.

Weight-Promoting Ingredients

Processed foods typically refer to all the packaged and pre-made foods that are in the middle of your grocery store. These may include full meals, ingredients for meals, snacks foods or side dishes. The problem with many of them is they contain ingredients that promote weight gain. Some of the worst culprits include:

• Trans Fats
• Refined Grains
• High Fructose Corn Syrup and other sweeteners

In the case of refined grains and carbohydrates, they are broken down in your digestive tract very quickly, which will spike your blood sugar levels and insulin levels. This causes carb craving shortly after you’ve eaten, starting the process all over again.

These foods also include the phenomenon known as “vanishing calorie density” which refers to foods that melt in your mouth and can make your brain think you’ve just consumed something with very few calories, which isn’t the case. In all likelihood, you’ll keep eating until you’ve taken in far too many calories. It also takes less energy and time to process these foods, which enables you to eat more.

Low Nutrient Levels

Most processed foods have low levels of nutrients that are essential for optimum human health. If the original version had nutrients in it, they may end up being processed out and then added back through synthetic means. Of course, it isn’t possible to add back all the vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and trace nutrients, not to mention the fact that you don’t know if the chemicals contain any harmful qualities. Since your body craves whole, unprocessed foods, you will often keep eating in a search to find what you need.

Low in Fiber

Fiber is another element that is often missing from processed foods. Fiber is available in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. When you eat it in whole foods, you will feel full faster and will stay full for longer. If you focus on processed foods, you’ll miss all of the health benefits from fiber, and you’ll miss a golden opportunity to feel full and eat less.

Our weight loss team at Optimal Body can help you make sense of madness. Contact us today to learn more about out outstanding programs.