When we hear of the words “healthy foods,” we likely imagine fruits and vegetables that can keep our weight at ideal levels while giving us the essential vitamins and minerals to fight off various ailments. Healthy foods are those that keep our body strong and in tip-top condition. So we can eat a lot of them without worrying about gaining weight, right?
Well, not exactly!
Indeed, there are several healthy foods that you should eat in moderation. These super foods are surprisingly high in fat and calories. Thus you should be mindful of the serving size of these foods if you don’t want them to ruin your diet and compromise whatever gains you’ve had by being a regular at Fitness First or any other gym for that matter.
The following are some of the healthy foods that can actually make you fat if you eat too much of them:
Avocado
This fruit is packed with fiber, antioxidants, and monounsaturated fats. But you should watch your intake of avocado if you want to lose weight as it is high in fat and calories. A serving size (about 1/5 of the fruit) has 50 calories. The entire fruit can give you more than 350 calories.
Red wine
Drinking red wine in moderation can reduce your risks of heart disease and certain kinds of cancer. But moderation is the keyword because a 5-ounce serving of this favorite drink packs about 130 calories.
Nuts
Nuts are quintessential snacks because one, they’re delicious and two, they’re nutritious. Nuts are rich in vitamin E, fiber, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids. But they’re also high in calories. For example, a quarter cup of almonds has 132 calories. So don’t be tempted to eat a lot of them.
Dried fruits
Who doesn’t love dried fruits? They’re very convenient to eat, and delicious, too. Dried fruits, however, have up to 8 times more calories and sugar than their fresh counterpart. For instance, a cup of fresh grapes is packed with 60 calories while a cup of raisins has a whopping 450 calories.
So instead of eating dried fruits, go for fresh fruits instead. You should also use dried fruits as a garnish and not as a snack.
Tuna salad
When mayo is added to tuna, you’re getting a food that has around 280 calories and 10 grams of fat per tablespoon. Instead of mayonnaise, use Greek yogurt that is calorie dense plus gives you an extra protein boost.