Processed Food: Why You Should Avoid Them at All Costs for Weight Loss
In our fast-paced world where convenience is king, it’s no surprise that prepacked, readily available and ready-to-cook foods and meals are at the top of the list of go-to meals of every household. As mentioned in an article from Scientific American, U.S. adults consume an estimated 60 percent of ultraprocessed foods; even worse, kids and teenagers consume almost 70 percent.
In this blog post, you will learn why avoiding processed foods is so essential for weight loss and how meal planning at a San Diego weight loss clinic can play an instrumental role in really helping you reach your goals.
The Problem with Processed Foods
In small amounts, it may not create an impact on one’s health yet we are all aware that more commonly than not, there’s a heavy consumption of processed foods then leading to unwanted intake of unhealthy levels of calories, sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats. As per the American Heart Association’s report, added sugars contribute to zero nutrients and then obesity or weight gain. Intake of trans fat on the other hand as well is associated with risk of heart disease and even type 2 diabetes.
Impact on Weight Loss Efforts
Undoubtedly, processed foods contain too many calories and significantly cause weight gain. They are specifically designed to be hyper-palatable, so they leave one craving more. In a report by CNN, ultra-processed foods caused individuals to eat an average of 500 more calories daily than those with unprocessed foods. This excessive intake of calories ruins all your effort at weight loss.
Navigating challenges like weight loss often calls for expert assistance from a specialized clinic. For example, meal plans by San Diego weight loss clinic are meticulously crafted based on scientific nutritional principles. These plans are tailored to meet your daily dietary requirements, ensuring you reach your desired weight goals while addressing any specific health needs. Emphasizing wholesome foods over processed options, these clinics aim not only for initial weight loss but also for sustained results. They provide valuable support systems to help manage emotional eating triggers associated with processed foods, underscoring the importance of medical supervision for achieving lasting success.
Health Risks Associated with Processed Foods
Processed foods have proven to cause numerous diseases and a range of health risks that is all simply beyond weight gain. World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted in their findings that processed foods increase the risk of having and developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and more. Furthermore, there is little to no nutritional value in these kinds of food; hence, you will not be able to get the daily required nutrients from proteins to fiber.
Final Thoughts
When trying to lose weight and prevent future diseases, one of the simplest methods is to avoid industrially-produced meals that come in plastic packaging, as this is another harmful substance humans should avoid coming into contact with. Especially if you are maintaining and achieving your weight management goals.
Losing weight with the help of a nutritionist and expert means you receive their assistance on meal plans and even the incorporation of meal shake replacements, thereby helping you combat hunger and cravings, which are the first steps towards reducing reliance on processed foods. Meal planning effectively anticipates these issues, as it enhances your understanding of nutrition value and addresses cravings.