8 High-Calorie Foods to Avoid for Weight Loss
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We all know how tough it is to say no to our favourite foods, especially when we’ve been having them since childhood.
Whether it’s the crispy pakoras during the monsoon, the irresistible sweets during festivals, or the satisfying bhaturas on a Sunday morning, these high-calorie delights are hard to resist. But when you aim to lose weight, these foods can be your worst enemies.
But wait. The good news is that you don’t have to completely give up on these delicious treats. You can enjoy the flavours you love without feeling guilty with a few simple tweaks.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most tempting food with highest calories you should either cut down on or avoid to lose weight. Not only that, but we will also give you practical alternatives that let you indulge without slowing down your progress.
080468 077331. Maida Items
Maida, or refined flour, is often used in many popular dishes. Foods made from maida are low in nutrients and high in calories, which can lead to weight gain.
Examples
Puri, kachori, bhatura, luchi, parotta, instant noodles, lasagne, pancakes, pizza, naan, spring rolls, bread, nankhatai, momos, pav, etc are made with maida. These items are often served during special occasions, tempting you to indulge more. While they are delicious, they can quickly derail your weight loss efforts.
What You Can Choose?
Opt for whole-grain alternatives like whole wheat roti, jowar bhakri, or bajra rotis. You can also try millet-based dosas or whole wheat parathas to enjoy similar flavours with fewer calories and more nutrition.
2. Mithai and Chocolates
All sweets, be it our regional Indian mithais, bakery ones, or chocolates, are typically loaded with sugar, butter, oil, or ghee, adding up to a high-calorie count. Consuming too many sweets can lead to weight gain and affect overall health.
Examples
Gulab jamun, ras malai, rasgulla, jalebi, shakkarpara, ghevar, bebinca, balushahi, thekua, gujia, khaja, waffles, doughnuts, Mysore Pak, pongal ladoo, misti doi, halwa, petha, jalebi, payasam, shrikhand, soan papdi, chocolate coated dry-fruits, regular chocolates and almost every sweet you can think of. They are often offered at celebrations like parties, weddings or festivals, making them hard to resist.
What You Can Choose?
Instead of these high-calorie sweets, try enjoying fruit-based desserts like mixed fruit shrikhand, which uses sweetener, sama kheer, which uses stevia and masala milk.
Of all these, the best one is to eat whole fruits like apples or guava to satisfy your sweet cravings.
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3. Fried Foods
Frying foods add a lot of extra calories due to the oil, making them very high in fat. Eating fried foods regularly can lead to weight gain and other health issues.
Examples
Pakoras, medu vada, bhajiya, aloo tikki, samosa, vada pav, bonda, french fries, burgers, and chaat are often deep-fried and popular during social gatherings or as quick snacks.
What You Can Choose?
Choose healthier options like steamed dhoklas, khandvi, aluvadi, and kothimbir vadi. You can also try roasting or air-frying snacks like peanuts, chana, or makhana to enjoy similar flavors with fewer calories.
4. Creamy Gravies Made with Nuts and Malai
Creamy gravies, often made with rich ingredients like cashew nuts and thick malai or even maida and cornflour, like pasta or Chinese gravies, are very high in calories and fats. While they add a lot of flavor, they can be very calorie-dense.
Examples
Creamy and rich dishes such as butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, white sauce pasta, malai kofta, shahi paneer, and many more are often served during festive meals or family dinners.
What You Can Choose?
Opt for lighter versions of these dishes by using dahi or tomato-based gravies, such as sev tamatar, kadai paneer, chana masala, or baingan bharta. These options still offer rich flavours but with fewer calories and fats.
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5. Soft Drinks & Sweet Beverages
Soft drinks are probably the worst of this loss! They are packed with an alarming quantity of sugar and offer no nutritional value, leading to weight gain and a lot of other health issues.
Examples
Beverages like cola, lemonade, and orange soda are high in sugar. Even so-called fruit drinks like fizzy apple drinks or bottled or canned fruit juices, ready-to-drink cold coffee, milkshakes, lassis, jeera drinks, and many others are high in sugar.
Many ‘health drinks’ too are filled with sugar to make them taste delicious. Our expert Nutrition coaches advise our members to always avoid them.
What You Can Choose?
Choose healthier alternatives like fresh coconut water, nimbu pani (with salt or stevia), or homemade buttermilk (chaas). These drinks are refreshing, hydrating, and much lower in calories.
But, in our opinion, the MOST refreshing drink ever, which has 0 calories, is a humble glass of WATER. Nothing like a glass of clean, fresh water can quench your thirst or satisfy you!
6. Snacks and Namkeens
Packaged snacks, sweets, and namkeens/farsan are mostly deep-fried and contain high levels of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. They’re convenient but can add a lot of empty calories to your diet.
Examples
Items like aloo bhujia, sev, chips, chakli, murku, nimki, boondi, papadam, thattai, namakpara, babka, ganthiya, mathri, dry pakoras, biscuits, crackers, wafers, and chivda are tasty but calorie-rich. These snacks are often enjoyed while watching TV or during tea time.
What You Can Choose?
Opt for healthier snacks like roasted makhana, murmura (puffed rice) mixed with peanuts and spices, moong sprouts or fresh fruits like guava or pomegranate. These options are satisfying and lower in calories.
7. Sharbats and Sugary Drinks
Sharbats, though refreshing, are often made with a lot of sugar and can be very high in calories. Similarly, soft drinks and other sugary beverages are packed with sugar and chemicals that contribute to weight gain. These drinks can quickly increase your calorie intake without providing much nutrition.
Examples
Roohafza, cola, lemonade, orange soda, aam panna and other sweetened drinks are high in sugar and commonly consumed during summer, special events, or social gatherings.
What You Can Choose?
Instead, try refreshing alternatives like nimbu pani with a pinch of rock salt or jal jeera. These drinks are traditional, flavorful, and much lower in calories.
8. Bakery Items
Bakery items are often made with refined flour, sugar, and butter, which makes them high in calories and unhealthy fats. If eaten frequently, they can easily lead to weight gain.
Examples
Cake, pastries, cupcakes, rolls, puffs, nankhtai, and cookies are all high in calories. These items are often enjoyed during celebrations or as an occasional treat.
What You Can Choose?
Instead of these high-calorie bakery items, you can opt for healthier alternatives like poha chivda, khakhra, sookha bhel, jhaal moodi, roasted makhana (foxnuts), salted moongfali, mixed nuts like walnuts, cashew, almonds, roasted and salted chana.
These options are lower in refined flour and sugar while still offering a satisfying treat. Limiting your intake to special occasions can also help manage your weight without sacrificing taste.
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How We At Fitterfly Can Help You?
Staying mindful of high-calorie foods is key to managing your weight. While indulging occasionally is okay, being aware of these calorie-rich items can help you make healthier choices. By opting for lower-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, you can enjoy a balanced diet and achieve your weight loss goals.
Remember minor changes and mindful choices can greatly impact your overall health and well-being! In fact, most of the members who join our program have a history of eating unhealthy food, be it at home or at their workplace.
Our Nutrition coaches guide them on how they can make specific, manageable changes to modify their diet so as not to feel deprived and yet eat healthy to lose weight effectively.
If you, too, want to experience how this is done, you should definitely give our expert program advisors a call today on 08046807733.
This blog provides general information for educational and informational purposes only and shouldn't be seen as professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are high-calorie foods unhealthy?
High-calorie foods are not necessarily unhealthy, but they can be if they are also high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and lack essential nutrients. The key is moderation and ensuring your diet is balanced with nutrient-dense foods.
Are there any healthy, high-calorie foods?
Yes, some high-calorie foods can be healthy, such as avocados, nuts, and seeds. These foods provide essential nutrients and healthy fats, but it’s important to consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can high-calorie foods be part of a balanced diet?
High-calorie foods can be part of a balanced diet if consumed in moderation. It’s important to balance them with nutrient-dense foods and ensure they fit within your overall calorie needs.
Are all high-calorie foods high in fat?
Not all high-calorie foods are high in fat. Some are high in sugar or refined carbohydrates. For example, sugary drinks are high in calories but do not have any fat content in it.
Can high-calorie foods cause weight gain?
Yes, consuming more calories than your body needs can lead to weight gain. High-calorie foods often contribute to this excess calorie intake, so it's important to manage portion sizes and overall calorie consumption.
Is it okay to eat high-calorie foods if I have a fast metabolism?
Even with a fast metabolism, consuming excessive high-calorie foods can lead to weight gain if the calorie intake exceeds your daily needs. It’s still important to focus on a balanced diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
How do high-calorie foods affect blood sugar levels?
High-calorie foods, especially those high in sugar and refined carbs, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. This can be problematic for individuals managing diabetes or blood sugar issues. Choosing foods with a lower glycemic index and balanced nutrients can help manage blood sugar levels effectively.
