A dietitian has warned that overindulging in certain healthy foods could sabotage your weight loss efforts.
While it’s a common misconception that you can eat unlimited amounts of healthy foods for a better diet, the calorie content of these foods should not be overlooked.
Naomi Holbook, a dietitian and weight loss coach, emphasised to Bella Magazine the importance of both food quality and quantity for maintaining a “full, healthy and happy” state, but cautioned against using this as an excuse to overeat.
She explained: “Both the quality and the quantity of protein carbohydrates and fats are equally as important.”
She also pointed out: “You really can have too much of a good thing. For example, healthy fats like nuts, seeds, oils and avocados are highly calorific and if weight loss is the overall goal then these in excess will have a detrimental effect.”
She recommends sticking to a thumb-sized portion for the aforementioned foods and limiting olive oil to 1-2 tablespoons per meal.
In addition, Rimas Geiga, another dietitian, highlighted the dangers of cutting calories too drastically, which can lead to a slower metabolism, making weight loss more difficult and increasing the risk of losing lean muscle mass, essential for a healthy metabolism.#
Rimas also noted that a common weight loss pitfall is excessive snacking and failing to eat balanced meals, which can leave individuals feeling unsatisfied and more likely to snack.
For those trapped in a cycle of constant nibbling, Nicola’s advice is to concentrate on consuming well-rounded meals packed with protein, healthy fats, and fibre. These key components will not only prolong satiety but also aid in staving off the craving for snacks, thereby contributing to an effective weight management plan.
Nicola Farndell, a seasoned health coach with a focus on female wellbeing, pointed out: “Frequent snacking, especially sugary or ultra-processed foods, triggers repeated spikes in blood-sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where you become less responsive to insulin, making it harder to lose weight and increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes.”