Foods to Limit in Your Everyday Diet

Ladies, do you recognise yourself in the following dilemma: on one hand, you love to treat yourself to delicious home-cooked meals, but on the other, you’d like to eat a more balanced diet every day?

What if I told you that simply limiting certain foods can be enough to rebalance your plate? Yes, even a small change in your habits can make a difference.

Let’s take a closer look at all the foods you should be avoiding — and we’ll even tell you what to replace them with.

Ready-made and processed meals

Let’s be honest — who hasn’t been tempted by a ready meal that just needs a quick spin in the microwave? The reason to avoid them is pretty clear: they’re often high in sugar, salt and fat — all things to keep in check as part of a balanced diet. If in doubt, check the nutritional label. Instead, try cooking for yourself. You don’t need to be a master chef to whip up something healthy and delicious! Find some inspiration right here.

“White” starchy foods (white rice, pasta, bread…)

These refined foods contain less fibre than their wholegrain alternatives and may leave you feeling hungry again sooner. You’re more likely to snack between meals. Swap them for wholegrain alternatives, which are higher in fibre!

Processed meats — best enjoyed in moderation

Fatty and salty by nature, processed meats are best limited as part of a balanced diet. If a craving strikes, opt for lean cooked ham instead.

Biscuits and sweet snacks

Crisps, chocolate bars, savoury crackers, shop-bought cakes… the list goes on! Unfortunately for us, these foods are loaded with salt, sugar and fat. It’s best to save them for special occasions. When hunger strikes between meals, reach for fruit, plain yoghurt or a square of dark chocolate instead.

Fried foods

We all know it — fried foods do us no favours! Say goodbye to doughnuts, nuggets and chips. These foods are submerged in oil during cooking and come out soaked in fat — best avoided! They’re also notoriously hard to digest and can leave you feeling heavy for hours. Instead, go for grilled or steamed options.

Fizzy drinks and sugary beverages — best limited

We don’t always think about it, but these drinks are very sugary and are often consumed in just a few seconds! Take a closer look at their nutritional content and you’ll see they’re usually loaded with sugar. It’s best to limit them and choose water infused with fresh fruit or homemade fruit juice instead.

Butter

Don’t cut it out entirely, but do keep a close eye on how much you use. Butter is high in saturated fats, which are best enjoyed in moderation. Olive oil is a good alternative for cooking. For your morning toast, try peanut butter or almond butter instead.

Breakfast granola

It always looks so healthy — but unfortunately, shop-bought granola is often packed with refined sugars and calories! At most, sprinkle a small amount over a yoghurt every now and then. Instead, go for a homemade version, which is lower in sugar and fat.

The deceptive composed salad

Ah, mixed salads… they always feel like the healthy choice. And yet, between the croutons, avocado, dressing and cheese, a salad can quickly turn into a calorie and fat bomb. So keep an eye on what goes in and steer towards the lighter options.

Red meat

Bad news for the meat lovers among us… Red meat is best enjoyed in moderation! Vary your meals with lean meats such as turkey, chicken or cooked ham, as well as fish, eggs and pulses such as lentils, chickpeas and kidney beans.

Alcohol

Of course, we all enjoy a good glass of wine or a cocktail at aperitif time. But keep in mind that alcohol is often high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation. Make water your daily go-to. For an aperitif, try homemade flavoured sparkling water with a few slices of citrus fruit and some mint leaves, or alcohol-free cocktails with no added sugar.

Raclette, tartiflette, fondue and the like

I know, it’s hard to hear — but these dishes are a concentrated hit of salt and fat. Every once in a while they won’t do any harm, but it’s best not to make a habit of them!

By limiting these foods, you’ll help rebalance your meals. In your everyday diet, aim to include vegetables with every meal, fruit, wholegrain starchy foods, varied sources of protein such as fish, eggs, pulses and white meat, and water as your main drink. Cooking for yourself also makes it easier to control the amount of salt, sugar and fat you use, without giving up the pleasure of eating. To look after yourself day to day, remember to stay physically active and try targeted cupping massage too. To do it easily at home, get your hands on your CelluBlue Cups.

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Useful categories: Anti-Cellulite Diet.