In this fast-paced life, where most urban people are subjected to desk jobs with very less time or no time for exercise and quality sleep, weight gain is the hidden monster for various life-threatening diseases such as thyroid, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, fatty liver, heart disease, complications in pregnancy due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and many more.

In order to lose weight, we all try various kinds of diet and foods to get rid of the stubborn fat as fast as possible. The key is to be able to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods. A more healthy diet expedites the process of weight loss. Here is the list of 5 foods that one should avoid in order to lose weight effectively and successfully.

• Processed Foods

One should definitely stay away from processed meat, packaged snacks, canned foods packed in syrup, etc. These kinds of food contain added sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, colors, artificial flavors, etc. In an effort to make this type of industrialized food taste better, many products also contain excessive amounts of salt, sugar, and fat, which makes the food more enticing. Consequently, this can lead to overeating and hence weight gain in individuals. These highly processed foods appeal to our taste buds and make it hard for us to eat just one serving. But if you are determined to lose weight then clean eating is a must.

• Food and drinks with added sugar

 Fruit-flavoured drinks, sports drinks, regular soda, sugar-sweetened yogurt, some condiments, jarred pasta sauce, salad dressings are some of the food items that come under this category. These beverages are very high in added sugar but often low in other nutrients. Consuming these beverages will add calories to the diet but does not help a person feel full. Moreover, many kinds of research suggest that a diet high in excess sugar can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

• Oily and deep-fried food

Foods that fall under the bracket of fast food increase the cholesterol level and bad fats in our bodies which block the arteries resulting in blockages in our heart. For example french fries, potato chips, and deep-fried chicken and mostly any other sort of junk and street food. These contain trans-fat which raises the bad cholesterol level and lowers the good cholesterol level.

• Refined Grains

White bread, white rice and many baked foods contain refined grains that have been processed in a way that removes the fiber and important nutrients. Hence the food is deprived of the essential nutrition that one requires when on diet.

• Alcohol

These include beer, wine, and other liquor. Drinking regularly stimulates the process of weight gain, thereby making it a challenge for individuals to lose weight in a proper manner. Drinking once or twice a week nullifies those efforts made by us in terms of following a good diet along with proper exercise. Hence one must be careful and control their alcohol consumption if they are serious about losing weight.