Photo Credit: Uwe Hermann on Flickr.com
Sometimes people don’t realize that something they eat or drink every. single. day. is what’s standing between them and their weight loss goals. It can be something as small as sugar or the cream in your morning cup of coffee, or something as big as the daily side of french fries with that “healthy” menu item. Below is a list of 5 foods that you need to cut out of your diet today, recommended by Fitzness friend Tony Horton, the creator of P90x.
1. Processed Sugars: This includes white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and pretty much anything you would consider a sweetener besides the natural sugar found in fruit. Processed sugar serves no beneficial purpose and it screws up your metabolism.
2. Alcohol: At 7 calories per gram, it’s unnecessary to even do the math to figure out how many calories you could save yourself. Let’s just say, a LOT. It even slows your metabolism, so you burn fewer calories at the end of the day. If you still want to drink, go for hard liquor and a sugar-free mixer (only one drink please) or choose one uber-light beer to cut calories .
3. Caffeine: It increases cortisol levels in your body and leaves you wide-eyed in bed at night which can hinder weight loss.
4. Anything with a face: The hormones, antibiotics, and chemicals used to process meats makes more of a problem than anything. Try to stick to beans, tofu, and nuts for protein sources. I know, that last line may have made you gag if you love meat. If so, start eating it as a topping or side dish instead of a main course.
5. Gluten: Mostly found in wheat, rye, and barley products, it’s Latin name comes from the word “glue.” Your body doesn’t need that. Start by seeking simple ways throughout the day to skimp on carbs, even if it’s something as small as only eating one half of a bun instead of the whole bun for a sandwich.
Wanna see a Tony Horton striptease? Fitz gets him to take it off in this fun Fitzness video interview which also includes some talk about loud cursing yoga!
Thanks! I always knew I was putting way too much cream in my drinks. What can I say.. I love cream! Theres just something about it that makes me feel all warm inside. Cream pies are the best, boston cream pies to be more specific. But really, any type of cream pie will do. Thanks for the TIPS! I’ll be sure to insert them into my daily routine 😉
CUT OUT THE SUGAR!!! 100% agreed! Oh and alcohol is sugar, so yes, CUT THAT OUT TOO! Caffeine, I am on the fence about because everyone processes it differently… And gluten, TOSS IT!
There’s gotta be a middle ground. Cutting out those 5 foods, and approaching a gluten-free, vegan lifestyle is not the way I want to live.
And that’s a great attitude, Fred! If you do all FIVE things Tony recommends it may feel extreme. However! If you cut down on each, or cut out one thing at a time it may not feel so bad. Can you do better with nutrition? I bet you can! Just start somewhere.