“But I thought it was healthy!”

I wish I had a dollar every time I heard that statement.

As a society we’ve become totally confused about which foods are OK to eat:

• for health – regardless of its impact on weight
• for healthy weight maintenance – not losing nor gaining
• for healthy weight loss – losing weight and improving health

Is it possible that a healthy food or drink might not cause weight gain for one person but actually makes another person gain weight?

Yes! And here’s a big secret to explain why. 

For decades we’ve been lectured that weight loss is all about ‘calories in versus calories out’ or ‘eat less and exercise more’ or ‘dieting and exercise’. Hogwash!

The secret is that it is all about ‘how your body digests, uses and stores different foods’. This is different for us all. The key difference is the amount of carbohydrate in that food, how much the amount you eat elevates YOUR blood sugar, and your body’s hormonal response.

What’s that all mean? The answer is simply that some of us can tolerate more carbohydrate (even from healthy foods) than others.

And so here’s that list of 9 ‘healthy foods and drinks’ that have a high carbohydrate yield for a typical serving.

1. Fruit juice. Most commercial fruit juices are very high in carb yield. Drink water.
2. Sports drinks – even those with electrolytes can have loads of sugar.
3. Fruit smoothies. Some of these have loads of added sugars, and even just the sugar from the fruit will ensure weight gain for some.
4. Bread – even whole grain bread. Although whole grain bread may be a ‘good source of fibre’, it actually has a high carbohydrate yield.
5. Sweet fruit – think mangoes and bananas. Try berries that are a much better nutritional deal with high nutrient density and relatively low carbohydrate density.
6. Pasta – even whole grain pasta. Like bread, it may be a ‘good source of fibre’, it actually has a high carbohydrate yield for an average serving.
7. Flavoured yoghurt. Yes yoghurt can be a good source of protein, calcium and pro-biotics, but many have a very high carbohydrate yield.
8. Flavoured milk. Same as above.
9. Brown rice. Yes even brown rice can yield too much carbohydrate for some people, unless the serving is very very small.

And so you ask:

1. So what’s left to eat?
2. How do you know what is both healthy and good for weight loss for your body?

The answer is that it takes a disciplined step-by-step process to figure this out for each and every person. This takes at least 12 weeks and can be one of the best investments you every make – in your own health. If you wish to learn more, ask any Healthy Inspirations Health Coach.

I wish you the best of heath and a sustainable journey to your ideal healthy weight.

Jamie Hayes