Top 10 Foods To Avoid This Winter

Our taste buds seem to crave everything that’s not so great for us in the cold weather (like hot chocolate with a MOUNTAIN of cream, hot chips and pies) to keep warm and full. And this can be a little bit tricky if we are following a healthy eating plan.

Here are our top 10 foods to steer clear of this winter to minimise the weight gain and aid weight loss. Remember, Winter is when Summer bodies are made!

10 Foods To Steer Clear Of This Winter

1. Café Hot Chocolates

Café hot chocolates are super tasty for a reason. The amount of sugar in them is likely to be five times more than we would make in a ‘homemade’ hot chocolate.

You could easily be consuming an extra 300-400 calories a day with these babies so it’s best to minimise any out of home purchases this winter. Try our Winter Warmer Smoothie for a healthy hot chocolate alternative.

2. Bye Bye Fast Food

When its cold outside, we feel like warm food and we don’t want to get out of the car in our ugg boots. What better option than to go through the drive-through. But drive-through options are not only high in calories, but also saturated fat and sugar, sugar, sugar!

Better alternative? Get out your slow cooker and make a few big batches of warm, home cooked meals to last you a couple of days at a time. BINGO! No need to go through the drive-through and your belly is warm and full.

If you’re looking for family-friendly winter dinners – you can’t go wrong with this Slow Cooked Porcupine Meatballs recipe.

3. Canned Soup

Canned soup may be an easy lunch option, but these soups are generally full of thickeners, MSG, artificial flavours and are high in sodium. Not to mention the tins are lined in BPA.

Unfortunately, canned soups are not very nutritious as a result.

It’s best to opt for homemade soups and or look for store bought soup in as natural state as possible.

If you are in a hurry and love a good soup – this 15 Minute Sesame Ginger Soba Noodle Soup recipe is for you.

4. Two Minute Noodles

Two minute noodles are mostly high in carbs and saturated fat. The easy snack doesn’t tend to keep you full for very long and as a result of all that added sodium – can make you super, super thirsty.

We recommend investing in a better option – like rice and or buckwheat noodles and make your own, healthy noodle dinners.

Check out this Quick And Easy Chicken Satay Noodles Recipe Just 295 Calories.

5. White Pasta

There’s no doubt many of us enjoy a good Italian-inspired fettuccine dish at a top restaurant. The thing is, if you are trying to stick to your healthy eating plan, then eating refined carbs is not going to help you reach your weight loss goals.

Save money and minimise your calorie intake by making homemade pasta dishes – opt for wholemeal, spelt or gluten free varieties which are easier on the digestion.

You may be keen to try our Delicious Chicken, Coriander, Avocado and Lime Pasta. 

6. White Bread

Our parents and grandparents grew up on it, but we have so many better options these days. There are many beautiful grain varieties available like flaxseed and quinoa, or chia and pumpkin seeds to choose from.

Or make your own like this Wholemeal Sweet Potato Bread.

Also be sure to check out this blog: Can I Eat Bread On A Weight Loss Plan And Still Lose Weight?

7. Tim Tams

At 95-100 calories a piece, you can add up how many calories a whole packet would set you back!

Sure, a Tim Tam here and there is fine and dandy. But this winter – it may be best to keep an eye on what you’re dunking into your warm drink if you are wanting to stay on healthy eating track.

If you enjoy a good biscuit – maybe swap your Tim Tam with one of these Healthy Chocolate And Peanut Butter Cookies.

8. Marshmallows

When we think of winter – many of us have thoughts of sitting around a campfire picking at melted marshmallows on a stick.

The thing is, even though these typically pink and white soft treats are marketed as ‘fat free’ – marshmallows are FULL of sugar.

9. Movie Popcorn

Saturday night comes round – and after a busy, cold week – your idea of the perfect night is to kick back and watch some movies (or head to the movies) and pick at movie popcorn.

Despite how delicious movie popcorn smells – it’s loaded with calories. It’s also usually incredibly high in sodium. Dietitians have uncovered a maxi popcorn contains 3930kj, 50 grams of fat, 30 grams of saturated fat, and a MASSIVE 2000mg of sodium.

Perhaps a healthier go-to movie snack you would like to try are these Salted Caramel Popcorn Cups.

10. Instant Porridge

These varieties are loaded with sugar and will have you feeling hungry by 10am.

You can easily substitute these with the homebrand option and make your own. Add some unsweetened yoghurt and fresh berries, plus a hint of cinnamon, and you will be feeling great all morning.

You may be interested to try our Warming Slow Cooked Quinoa Porridge With Apple And Cinnamon.

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