When you’re keeping an eye on your weight and thinking about cellulite, it’s tempting to sort foods into two neat camps: those that seem good for your figure, and those that don’t. Most of us know that fried food, processed meats and junk food in general can lead to weight gain when eaten in excess. But we sometimes get it wrong with products that look healthy yet aren’t quite as virtuous as they seem…
To help you make the right choices every day, here are 11 sneaky foods that aren’t as figure-friendly as you might think and are best enjoyed in moderation!
Nuts and dried fruits
Nuts and dried fruits are often suggested as a pre-workout snack. However, when fruit is dried, its sugar content becomes highly concentrated, making it far more calorie-dense. Nuts, meanwhile, are rich in fats. So resist the urge to work through an entire bag: a small handful is all you need to avoid overdoing it!
Breakfast cereals — one of the foods you really should watch out for
We’re not talking about chocolate-coated cereals or kids’ varieties here, but shop-bought cereals sold as “slimming” or “healthy”. Yes, ladies, even muesli, which sounds so wholesome, and cereals marketed as figure-friendly are often packed with sugar. And it’s best to go easy on added sugars! To avoid falling into the trap, always check the nutrition label before you buy or, better still, make your own homemade muesli.
Meringues — not as light as they look
Light and airy, meringues are often seen as the perfect guilt-free dessert. But don’t be fooled: beneath that delicate exterior, meringue is made up of around 50% sugar, an ingredient best enjoyed in moderation! So go easy on the meringues.
Coconut
Hailed as a healthy staple to add to your breakfasts and desserts, coconut is still worth using with a light hand. It’s naturally high in both fats and sugars, so a small pinch is all you need to enjoy its flavour!
Crispbreads
Crispbreads at breakfast are much like shop-bought muesli: not the best choice! They’re often high in sugar and calories, and they make for a rather light breakfast in terms of quantity. You might find yourself dipping into a packet of biscuits before lunch… And it’s better to stick to regular, complete and varied meals throughout the day! Try fresh or toasted bread with a little peanut butter instead.
-16%Capsules made with chromium, which contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism
- Chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism, meaning the sugars, fats and proteins in your meals
- It also contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels
- Dandelion, burdock and artichoke complete the formula
Sliced white bread
Like crispbreads or muesli, sliced white bread looks innocent and convenient, but it’s one of those foods that hides its true colours well! It often contains added sugar and fat, which give it that soft, brioche-like texture. It’s best kept for the occasional treat rather than eaten every day. Opt for real bread instead, wholegrain or seeded if possible!
“Light” products — the false friends of healthy eating
This is the classic trap of so-called “light” or “low-fat” products: less fat, perhaps, but often more sugar to compensate! Don’t be afraid of full-fat options: they’re often simpler and more natural, with ingredient lists that tend to be much shorter. Enjoyed in moderation, they can have their place in a balanced diet.
Fruit juice
Shop-bought fruit juices are very often high in sugar and may also contain preservatives and additives. To avoid having too much sugar first thing in the morning, try making your own fresh juice at home. If you’re short on time, you can still choose a shop-bought option. Just read the ingredients carefully and go for one that’s 100% pure juice!
Ready meals
As well as often being high in fat, ready meals can contain a surprising amount of sugar. Take a look at the nutrition label and you’ll see for yourself! They’re also often high in salt. Fat, sugar and salt: a trio worth limiting if you want to keep your diet balanced, so try to keep them off the menu as much as possible.
Breadsticks — the sneaky aperitif trap
At the aperitif table, it’s easy to spot the obvious culprits: charcuterie, savoury biscuits, cheese… But breadsticks are often mistakenly seen as the slimmer’s choice! In reality, shop-bought breadsticks frequently contain large amounts of oil and can quickly rack up the calories. Ideally, skip them altogether and go for vegetable crudités with homemade hummus instead.
Avocado
Avocado is a wonderful fruit… when enjoyed in moderation! Scrolling through fitness accounts might make it seem like you should eat it all the time, on toast, in salads or as a starter. But keep in mind that avocado is calorie-dense and high in fat. To enjoy it as part of a balanced diet, aim to eat it no more than 3 times a week.
Don’t forget, ladies: to take care of yourself, combine a balanced diet, regular physical activity and pinch-and-roll massage sessions. Combine these 3 good habits and you’ll be taking care of your body and your skin every day!
Frequently asked questions
Is meringue fattening?
As with any sweet treat, what matters most is how often and how much you eat. Meringue is very high in sugar, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation.
Are breadsticks fattening?
It depends on the recipe. Shop-bought breadsticks can be high in fat, so it’s best to limit how many you eat.
Which seemingly light foods are richer in calories than expected?
The safest approach is not to judge a product by its image or its packaging. Get into the habit of reading the ingredients list and the nutrition label to spot added sugars and fats, and keep an eye on portion sizes. A food with a wholesome reputation still has its place in a balanced diet, as long as you watch how much you eat.
Related articles
- Winter foods: what to put on your plate this season
- Everyday foods: the essentials to keep in your kitchen
- Juice cleanse: what it is, side effects and how to start
Useful categories: Anti-Cellulite Diet, Slimming Nutrition.
The cupping tool that replicates pinching and rolling, 3 minutes per zone
- The professionals' technique, at home: you lift, glide, and release, and the tool grips the skin fold like a manual pinching and rolling
- Soft silicone that fits thighs, buttocks, stomach, and arms
- 3 minutes per zone, every day, always with a massage oil so the tool glides
The scrub that leaves skin smooth and skin texture refined*
*User test on 21 volunteers over 4 weeks, based on participants' feedback.
- Olive & apricot kernels: these natural grains gently sweep away dead skin cells
- Caffeine & monoi scent, so your shower instantly smells like a holiday
- In the shower, two to three times a week, massaging your thighs, bottom and stomach
