The Unexpected Processed Ingredient You Should Stop Putting In Your Body If You Want To Lose Weight This Spring
There are many obvious foods we all know we should eat less of when trying to lose weight: sugary desserts, low-calorie snacks like potato chips, fried foods, and more. However, even some seemingly healthy foods at first glance contain processed ingredients that can damage your health and hinder your weight loss goals. In fact, health experts say there's one ingredient you should always scrutinize (and avoid) if you're trying to lose weight fast: high fructose corn syrup.
To learn more about why high fructose corn syrup can lead to weight gain, we spoke to nutritionist Lisa Richards, founder of the Candida Diet. She tells us that this high-calorie ingredient is hidden in many amazing foods. Find all her expert insights below!
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High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
While you probably already know to limit your intake of refined sugar, Richards says high fructose corn syrup is one of the worst sneaky ingredients that can mess with your diet and hinder your weight loss goals. “HFCS is a type of sugar commonly used in many processed foods and beverages, such as soft drinks, candy and baked goods,” she explains. “It's cheaper and easier to manufacture than regular sugar, which is why it's become so common in the food industry.”
However, because this ingredient is highly processed, it's one of the worst substances you could possibly put in your body if you're trying to lose weight. One of the main reasons for this is the high calorie content, Richards said. “The problem with HFCS is that it's a concentrated source of calories that can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess,” she tells us. On top of all those calories, it can lead you to overindulge: “Studies have also shown that HFCS interferes with the body's ability to regulate hunger and can lead to overeating,” continues Richards. We all know that if you watch your waistline, it's never a good thing.
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So next time you're at the grocery store, check your nutrition labels. Watch out for not just regular sugars, but HFCS as well. You might be surprised to see it pop up in seemingly healthy foods. “It's important to read food labels carefully and look for hidden sources of HFCS in foods you might not expect, such as salad dressings, condiments, and even certain types of bread,” Richards points out.
If you want to stay as healthy as possible, your best bet is to limit your intake of processed foods and such ingredients as much as possible. “By reducing foods that contain HFCS and choosing whole, unprocessed foods, you can reduce your overall calorie intake and promote weight loss,” concludes Richards.
