It may be better than drive-thru grub, but if you assume that cooking at home automatically guarantees a weight loss friendly meal, you've got it all wrong. In fact, with a cup of this and splash of that, you can transform a seemingly-healthy dish into one that will make the number on the scale soar.
To help you stay on track with your New Year's goal to slim down and get fit, we asked some of the nation's top nutrition experts to reveal which common cooking and baking ingredients they wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole
1
Artificial Sweeteners
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"Although they don't contribute calories, artificial sweeteners are up to 700 times sweeter than natural sugar—and often leave you craving more sweets later in the day. If you're trying to cut calories from your baked goods, swap out sugar for unsweetened applesauce instead. One cup of the white stuff has more than 770 calories while the same amount of unsweetened applesauce has about 100. And better yet, a 1:1 ratio works perfectly! " — Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD
2
Cheap Vegetable Oils
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"Cheap oils like soybean, corn oil, and cottonseed oil are highly processed, contain high amounts of pro-inflammatory omega-6 saturated fats, and offer very little heart-healthy omega-3s. Instead of using these fats in your cooking, switch to avocado or coconut oil, which have both been shown to aid weight loss. Both oils have high smoke points, too, so they're great options for pan-frying." — Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN
"Eighty percent of the fat in palm kernel oil is saturated, and the cooking oil doesn't offer any real health-promoting properties. Instead, cook with oils that are made up of mono and polyunsaturated fats that have a medium to a high smoking point. Canola and olive oil both fit the bill." — Heather Mangieri, RDN
3
Fat-Free Dairy Products
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"Although I'm a fan of fat-free milk, other fat-free dairy products like cheese, cream cheese and cottage cheese are a no-go in my kitchen. Many people find the texture, taste and mouthfeel of these products to be less satisfying, which either turns them off from the dish altogether or spurs cravings for seconds and thirds as they search for satisfaction." — Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND
4
Food Coloring
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"Artificial food dyes, which many people use to color baked goods, are cause for concern and may have serious side effects—especially in children. Red 40, for example, may contain cancer-causing contaminants, despite the fact that it's approved by the FDA. The dye may also be a potential trigger to hyperactivity in children. Instead, color your dishes with natural sources of color like beet juice, red cabbage or paprika." — Jay Cardiello, diet expert and personal trainer to the stars
5
Margarine
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"Some margarine tubs contain heart-harming trans fats and are made with processed oils that may be pro-inflammatory. Inflammation has been directly tied to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Switch to grass-fed butter to pick up a product like Earth Balance that contains a mix of less processed oils." — Isabel Smith, MS RD CDN, founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition
6
Reduced-Fat Mayonnaise
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"Not only do low-fat foods not taste very good, but they're also filled with unhealthy and harmful ingredients like added sugars, vegetable oils, and artificial preservatives. These ingredients have little nutritional value and decrease the body's ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Regularly eating things like low-fat mayo can lead to inflammation, GI issues, heart disease and increased cravings that lead to weight gain." — Stephanie Middleberg, RD, founder of Middleberg Nutrition
7
Conventional Peanut Butter
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"Conventional peanut butter is filled with fully or partially hydrogenated oils, which are basically trans fats. Whether you're making peanut butter cookies or a Thai peanut sauce, use natural peanut butter that contains nothing more than peanuts and salt." — Isabel Smith, MS RD CDN
Not sure which jar contains the best nut butter? Check out our exclusive report, The 36 Top Peanut Butters—Ranked!
8
Bleached Flour
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"Watch out for all-purpose flour that's been bleached. Although it may give your food a nicer color and help you to create baked goods that are more soft and tender, the bleach chemicals may be harmful to your health." — Jay Cardiello, diet expert and personal trainer to the stars
9
Gluten-Free Foods
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"Just because something is gluten-free doesn't mean it's calorie- or fat-free. If you have to eat gluten-free for medical reasons, that's one thing, but buying gluten-free products in an attempt to lose weight will not be effective." — Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD
10
Certain Milk Alternatives
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"Carrageenan, a commonly used food additive, is an indigestible polysaccharide that is extracted from red algae and is commonly used in as a thickener or stabilizer in milk alternatives. Although it's derived from a natural source, carrageenan can be destructive to the digestive system, triggering an immune response that causes inflammation, gut irritation and lesions, and even cancer. While organic foods ban the use of GMOs, chemical pesticides, and toxic synthetic additives, carrageenan is currently still allowed, so it's important to check food labels." — Gina Hassick, RD, LDN, CDE
11
Quick-Cooking Oats
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"Oats are super healthful as they contain soluble fiber and minerals like calcium. Highly processed quick-cooking oats, however, are a different story. To make them cook faster, food manufacturers remove the outer layer of the oat which diminishes their nutritional value. If you're in need of a quicker-cooking oat for a recipe, try rolled oats. They go from stove to spoon faster than steel cut oats and contain more health-protective nutrients. — Isabel Smith, MS RD CDN
12
Flavored Yogurt
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"Sometimes 'healthy' dessert and smoothie recipes call for flavored yogurt. However, reduced-fat flavored yogurts are not a health food. Did you know that one container of flavored yogurt can have more sugar than a candy bar?! It's true! When you remove the fat from a naturally fatty food like yogurt, you have to make up for the taste by adding sugar, or worse, artificial sweeteners. And to make flavors like 'Apple Fritter' and 'Pineapple Upside Down Cake,' you're going to need to add a lot of sweetener. Instead, stick with organic, plain, full-fat yogurt." — Cassie Bjork, RD, LD of Healthy Simple Life
13
Corn and Simple Syrups
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"If a recipe calls for corn or simple syrup, use maple syrup or honey instead. While the former sugars are highly processed and contain little nutritional value, the latter options have antioxidants and antibacterial properties, all while providing the sweetness you're looking for." — Isabel Smith, MS RD CDN
14
Agave
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"Agave may be marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar. However, it contains more fructose than many other well-known sweeteners. This can be taxing on your cardiovascular system and increase your risk for metabolic syndrome." — Jay Cardiello, diet expert and personal trainer to the stars
15
Fat-Free Salad Dressing
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"Whether you use it as a marinade or dressing, fat-free salad dressing isn't a diet-friendly pick. It's often loaded with sugar, salt and artificial ingredients you wouldn't find in your kitchen. Plus, having a little fat with your vegetables can help you absorb more of the nutrients and antioxidants." — Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND
16
Caged Eggs
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"When you can, opt for pasture raised eggs over caged eggs. Pasture-raised chickens naturally have a more diverse diet, which means more nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E are transferred to their eggs." — Stephanie Brookshier RD
17
Egg Beaters
"Eggs that come out of a container are not a health food. Heat pasteurized and made from factory-farmed eggs, this product is processed so much that makers have to add in synthetic vitamins to boost its nutrient density. This is as far removed from a natural egg as you can get." — Dana James CDN, a nutritionist from Food Coach NYC
18
Canned Beans & Veggies
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"Canned beans and veggies may help you get dinner on the table in half the time, but they can be spiked with salt and syrups. Also, the cans that these foods are stored in are often lined with BPA, a chemical that's been linked to cancer, infertility, and weight gain. Instead, look for products in tetra paks, or chop up fresh vegetables yourself." — Isabel Smith, MS RD CDN
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