Foods to Avoid While on a Diet

When you're on a weight loss diet there are some important guidelines to follow.  It's important to eat healthy foods and maintain good nutrition.  Never starve yourself but always provide yourself with proper vitamins and nutrients.  Keep in mind that the healthiest way to lose weight is generally to eat smaller portions of healthy foods and increase your level of exercise.  Here are some tips for foods to avoid while you're on a diet.

• Salt - Excess salt can be very damaging to the body and can even contribute to many illnesses.  Most people get plenty of salt in their diets simply from eating a regular diet.  Don't add salt to your meal and avoid foods that have excess salt added.
• Fried Foods – Foods that are fried in oil typically retain much of the grease, which can be quite bad for your health.  Opt instead for baked or poached foods that are much healthier.  You'll also find that fried foods are much higher in calories than similar foods that are prepared in other ways.
• Whole Milk – Switch to skim or low fat milk and milk products like cottage cheese.  When adding cream to your coffee try using a non-dairy creamer. You can save calories and fat by making this easy change.
• Foods made with butter.  Look for baked foods that use margarine rather than butter.  Butter has a higher fat content and also more calories.  Most often you won’t be able to taste the difference in baked goods.
• Processed Foods – Foods that are processed often contain many added ingredients to assist in the preparation and packaging.  Rather than eating canned foods prepare the foods yourself using fresh ingredients, which are always the better choice.
• Fast Food – In general most fast foods are high in calories, salt and fat.  When eating at a fast food restaurant make wise choices by picking items that aren't fried and avoiding excess condiments that can add empty calories to the meal.  Eat smaller portions when possible.
• Unhealthy Desserts – Don't deprive yourself of dessert altogether but do make good choices.  Avoid cakes and pies that can contain hundreds of calories.  Instead consider healthier choices like yogurt.  When you have dessert take a smaller sized portion and don't add extras such as whipped cream.
• Soda and Sugary Drinks – The body needs plenty of fluids to keep going and this is especially important when you're dieting.  Don't add unnecessary calories and sugar to your diet by drinking soda.  If you drink ice tea don't add sugar.
• Foods that don't make you full – Some foods sound healthy but you end up having to eat so much of them that you defeat the healthy part.  If a food doesn't satisfy you then you'll be more apt to eat a lot more of it to get the full feeling.
• Snack Foods – Everyone needs to snack, even those on a diet.  Know that you will want to snack and create a list of foods that you're allowed to have between meals.  Avoid sugary foods with empty calories and instead choose healthier options.  When you do snack limit your caloric intake.