Many people struggle to lose weight and the pressure to lose weight can become more acute during the summer as people want to look their best at the beach and eat healthy. There can be a lot of advice out there and some of it can be confusing.
But nutritionist Michael Moseley listed three foods that people were encouraged to avoid or minimize. The health expert who is known for creating the 5:2 meal plans and the Fast 800 has a new podcast on BBC Sounds where he reveals his biggest life hacks, including eating nuts and the best fruits to eat if you’re craving sugar.
Dr. Moseley, who also blogs regularly, has already detailed the three food groups you should avoid if you want to drop a few pounds fast.
Sugar
The first is sugar, including sweets, ice creams and other desserts. “Cut out sugar, sweet treats, drinks and desserts right away,” he said.
“This includes most breakfast cereals, which tend to be full of sugar, as well as most commercial smoothies.”
Starchy carbohydrates
The second group of foods to consider are “starchy carbohydrates.” Dr Moseley said: “Minimize or avoid starchy carbohydrates – that means the white stuff: bread, pasta, potatoes and white rice.”
Instead, he recommends switching to “whole grains, including bulgur (crushed wheat), whole rye, whole barley, wild rice and buckwheat—brown rice is OK.”
He said: “Legumes such as lentils, beans and chickpeas are also healthy and filling.”
Ultra processed food
And finally processed food and meat should also be avoided when trying to lose weight.
Dr Mosley said: “Ultra-processed foods include chicken nuggets, burgers, chips, pizzas, hotdogs, pre-packaged meals, mass-produced ice cream, sweets, crisps, energy bars, bakery goods, biscuits, margarine and pretty well anything that says ‘instant’.
“Processed foods and takeaways could be to blame for the UK’s obesity epidemic,” he claimed.
Finally, processed foods and meats should also be avoided when trying to lose weight.
Dr Moseley said: “Ultra-processed foods include chicken nuggets, burgers, chips, pizza, hotdogs, pre-packaged meals, mass-produced ice cream, cakes, chips, energy bars, bakery products, biscuits, margarine and pretty much anything that says ‘ immediately”.
“Processed foods and takeaways may be to blame for the obesity epidemic in the UK,” he claims.