4 "Healthy" Foods That May Be Sabotaging Your Weight Loss

Once  you've made the decision to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, you'd like to think that things will only become easier from there. But sometimes, especially in the beginning, that isn't the case. It seems that with each passing year, science discovers something else about the way our bodies function and everything we thought we knew about dieting gets turned  upside down. One fad gives way to the next and we're left scratching our heads and wondering what to do next. We now know that healthy fats and complex carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet, rendering low-fat, fat-free, and low-carb options relatively useless. Not only are they useless, they can be downright unhealthy. Might there be other unhealthy foods hidden behind a manufacturers' bogus health claims?  There certainly are! Here are 4 foods that can be healthy when prepared at home but when prepackaged are often laced with bulking agents and massive amounts of sugar making them an absolute diet disaster!

1. Green Drinks

To most of us, plain vegetable juice tastes straight up nasty. Manufacturers are not foolish -- they know this so they load up their juices with fruit which spikes the sugar content. One popular 'green juice' on the market contains nearly 12 teaspoons of sugar in a 15.2 ounce bottle. [bctt tweet="4 "Healthy" Foods That May Be Sabotaging Your Weight Loss"]

2. Balsamic Vinaigrette

Many smart-thinking people turned to balsamic as a sensible alternative to creamy salad dressings. The trouble is, most commercial brands are made with white wine vinegar, caramel coloring, and thickeners like cornstarch or gum. Again, these ingredients boost the sugar content. Why not try something a little more simple? Douse your salad with some olive oil and red wine vinegar.

3. Protein Shakes

Protein is a powerful tool when it comes to weight loss. And protein shakes and powders seem like the best way to make sure you are consuming enough of it. But, many commercial powders contain added sugar, artificial sweeteners, soy, dairy, and a whole bunch of ingredients that give it a longer shelf life. Be sure to read the labels carefully, look for an option that's  non-dairy, non-soy plant- or animal-based protein powder containing about 1 gram of sugar.

4. Yogurt

Plain yogurt is tart and tangy, a taste that takes some getting used to. So, most available brands come sweetened with fruit, honey, or other ingredients, making them absolute sugar bombs. One small cup of fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt can have as much sugar as a chocolate bar! Unsweetened, plain Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein, healthy fat, and probiotics. If you find that it doesn't taste sweet enough for you, stir in some fresh or frozen berries. If you'd like to avoid being mislead into these sorts of food traps, we can help you out! The BodyRock Meal Plan will give you the tools you need to build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. The meal plan provides 30 days worth of delicious meals and snacks. Each week we provide you with a detailed shopping list so all you have to do is grab the ingredients and follow along. We are talking real deal, whole, healthy foods prepared by you. We take the guess work out of clean eating! What are you waiting for? Get your meal plan here! Do you think any of these foods are standing in the way of your weight loss goals? Source: Rodale Wellness