3 dietary mistakes that almost always lead to weight gain

Weight loss can be a tricky process. There seems to be conflicting information everywhere about the best diet to follow, what type of workout you should do for best results, whether or not you should try intermittent fasting, and more. And while there may not be a clear “right” way to do all of these things, there are definitely some crucial mistakes that health experts agree you should avoid at all costs if you want to lose. weight. If you’ve found that you’re not progressing the way you’d like on your weight loss journey, you might want to make one.

To learn more about the most common diet mistakes that could be holding you back from reaching your goals, we spoke to physician David Seitz, MD of Ascendant Detox. He told us that not eating enough, eating too much junk food, and not eating the right foods are three pitfalls to avoid. Read on to learn more about how each of these mistakes could set you back!

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#1. Not eating enough

Believe it or not, Dr. Seitz says that not eating enough is actually the most common dieting pitfall. While you may think that skipping meals and eating as little as possible is the best way to lose weight fast, it can have a serious impact on your health goals (and even your waistline) in the long run. “Too often people make the mistake of skipping meals or drastically cutting calories in order to lose weight quickly,” says Dr. Seitz. “However, it can be extremely detrimental to your health as it can lead to fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, a weakened immune system and even depression.” Ouch! Not only that, but any weight loss due to extreme restriction will likely be recovered very quickly, so it’s just not a good idea at all when it comes to dieting.

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#2. Eating too much junk food

While it’s never a good idea to eat too little, it’s also important to be careful about the foods you eat. It should come as no surprise to learn that junk food is a serious no-no when it comes to losing weight. Processed foods will provide you with virtually no nutritional value with excess calories, which can seriously thwart your fitness journey. “It can be easy to turn to processed foods, especially when you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like cooking,” notes Dr. Seitz. “However, these foods are often high in calories, fat, sugar and sodium, and can lead to weight gain and other health problems.” For this reason, it’s best to stick to whole, nutritious foods – more on that in the next point.

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#3. Not eating the right foods

“A third pitfall in food and diet is not eating enough of the right kind of food,” Dr. Seitz tells us. “Eating too many bad foods, such as processed meats, refined carbohydrates and added sugars, can lead to weight gain and other health problems.” So what exactly are “good types of foods” versus bad ones? Ultimately, it’s important to prioritize a balanced diet that can provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to thrive, function properly, stay energized, and burn calories efficiently. “A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is important for maintaining good health,” says Dr. Seitz. I understood!

Overall, the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your diet is to fuel your body with healthy foods every day. While your ideal meal plan will likely be personalized and unique to you, remember to always eat enough, don’t overindulge in junk food, and keep your plate full of nutritious whole foods will do wonders for everyone.

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