Health
These 6 ‘healthy’ foods won’t help you lose weight, nutritionist warns
While some foods are considered healthy and nourishing, they might not always be optimal for weight loss.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein spoke with Fox News Digital in an interview about certain foods that could stunt health and fitness goals.
“There’s definitely a big difference between healthy and healthy for weight loss,” the Los Angeles-based expert said. “This is something that I see so many people struggle with.”
LEAN, MEAN PROTEIN: HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU BE EATING? NUTRITIONIST REVEALS ANSWERS
It’s possible to eat healthy foods yet still pack on pounds, she noted, “which is not healthy for your overall body, especially if you have weight to lose.”
Registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein is the author of the weight-loss book “You Can Drop It!” and is known as NutritionBabe by her two million followers on TikTok. (BODi)
Here are six surprising foods that might not help you lose weight.
1. Granola and oats
While granola is a classic topping for healthy snacks like yogurt and smoothie bowls, Muhlstein likened it to a “crushed-up cookie.”
“People look at it as super healthy, but those oats are usually being tossed with nut butters, oils, maple syrup, honey, thrown-in chocolate chips and coconut shavings,” she said. “They’re baked, it’s dense and a cup of granola can be 600 calories.”
2 SURPRISING FOODS FOR FALL THAT ARE DELICIOUS, HEALTHY AND EASY TO PREPARE
Even a sprinkle of granola can add up to 200 calories, according to Muhlstein.
“[It’s] really not a great bang for your buck when you’re talking about filling up on foods and staying within a healthy calorie range for weight loss,” she said.
A sprinkle of granola can add up to 200 calories, according to the nutritionist. (iStock)
While oat-based foods like overnight oats and oatmeal can work well for people who are athletic, they might not be the best choice for those on weight-loss journeys, Muhlstein said.
“It kind of sits with them … they’re not able to burn it off so quickly,” she said. “It’s really good before a workout, as you’re taking those carbs and using them efficiently.”
DRINKING SOY MILK COULD REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE, RESEARCH SHOWS
Muhlstein recommends pairing oat recipes with yogurt or protein powder for a more optimal meal.
2. Nut butters
Nut butters are “not a protein source,” even though whole nuts contain protein, the nutritionist stated.
Nut butters are not a good source of protein, the nutritionist said. (iStock)
They can be used to add flavor or healthy fat to recipes like salad dressing, stir-fry or smoothies, she said.
“If you are trying to eat peanut butter for protein and you’re having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you are having a lot of calories, a lot of carbs … and very, very little protein overall,” Muhlstein noted.
3. Chia seeds
Seed-based snacks like chia seed puddings have grown in popularity as a healthy breakfast option.
Chia seed puddings, however, can be made with sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and coconut milk, which make them “very high in calories” and low in protein, Muhlstein revealed.
Chia seed puddings can be high in calories due to added sugars, the expert cautioned. (iStock)
“It has plenty of good, healthy fats and could be great for your digestion, [with] Omega-3s and fiber,” she said.
“But overall, it’s not the slimmest choice if you’re trying to drop pounds on the scale and maintain a leaner frame.”
4. Avocado
While avocado is well-known for being a healthy fat, eating too much can hamper weight-loss goals.
Most women only need about one avocado’s worth of fat in a whole day, according to Muhlstein.
DIET CRISIS IN AMERICA: CELEBRITY FITNESS TRAINER AND MOM TOUTS ‘NO RULES’ NUTRITION PLAN
“When you get a salad with half an avocado on top of the dressing, on top of the nuts and everything else, it’s probably a lot,” she said. “I usually recommend about a quarter to a third of an avocado at a time.”
Most women only need about an avocado’s worth of fat per day, the nutritionist advised. (iStock)
5. Sourdough bread
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, many people turned to baking sourdough bread, which spiked its popularity.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
While sourdough does have some healthy qualities, as it’s fermented and can have a lower glycemic index, Muhlstein pointed out that it “still has calories.”
“It’s still not cauliflower,” she said. “It’s really funny how many people almost treat it like it is.”
Sourdough bread has been touted as a “health food,” the expert noted, but it still contains calories. (Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Some of Muhlstein’s clients have made a habit of baking a loaf of sourdough every week and then eating the whole thing, she said.
“It’s really not working for their weight loss,” she said. “But it’s the last thing they think is the problem, because it’s been touted as such a health food.”
6. Pesto
Pesto can be a delicious condiment on salads, vegetables and other dishes, but it is usually made with “lots of olive oil, lots of Parmesan cheese and lots of pine nuts,” Muhlstein cautioned.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“When you have that dipped with your bread, and it becomes excessive, it is a very high-calorie condiment,” she said.
A pesto recipe can be thinned out with lemon juice, Greek yogurt or nutritional yeast instead of cheese and nuts, the expert suggested. (iStock)
The nutritionist recommends thinning out a pesto recipe with lemon juice, Greek yogurt, or nutritional yeast instead of cheese and nuts.
Adding more basil will help thicken the recipe, while more water will help blend it.
“I know that sounds sacrilege to some chefs, but if you are really trying to get the flavor, there are ways to make a leaner pesto,” Muhlstein added.
Advertisements and social media often suggest that vitamin supplements are important for optimal health — but are they really essential for everyone?
“Vitamins have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, with shelves full of supplements promising better health, more energy and a longer life,” Andrea Soares, a registered dietitian from Top Nutrition Coaching in Miami, Florida, told Fox News Digital.
Just over 57% of American adults took dietary supplements between 2017 and 2020, with multivitamins and minerals being the most popular, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
DAILY MULTIVITAMINS MIGHT NOT HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, STUDY FINDS
But what does this mean for you? Fox News Digital spoke to the experts to find out.
What is a vitamin?
Vitamins are nutrients that are essential for the body to function normally, according to Jennifer Messer, president of the New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a registered dietitian in New Hampshire.
Just over 57% of American adults took dietary supplements between 2017 and 2020, with multivitamins and minerals being the most popular. (iStock)
“We cannot make vitamins in our bodies, and so we must get them in our diets,” she told Fox News Digital.
(The one exception is vitamin D, which people can also get from the sun.)
Vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
BE WELL: PREPARE A DINNER RICH IN VITAMIN D FOR GOOD HEALTH
Fat-soluble vitamins — A, D, E and K — are stored in the body’s fatty tissue, liver and muscles, so they are absorbed better when taken with fatty foods.
Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, so any excess amount is usually excreted in the urine.
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissue, liver and muscles, so they are absorbed better when taken with fatty foods. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, so any excess amount is usually excreted in the urine. (iStock)
Thirteen vitamins are considered “essential.”
These include vitamins A, C, D, E and K, as well as the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12 and folate), according to the NIH.
“For most people, a well-balanced diet is sufficient to meet daily vitamin needs,” Soares told Fox News Digital.
“For most people, a well-balanced diet is sufficient to meet daily vitamin needs.”
Vitamin A is easily obtained from eating a balanced diet, vitamin E is abundant in common foods, and most people get enough vitamin C if they eat fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries and bell peppers, she said.
Some people don’t get enough vitamins from dietary sources, however.
When are vitamin supplements necessary?
Certain vitamin deficiencies can potentially cause health problems.
“In the U.S., the FDA updated nutrition labels to reflect nutrients of public health concern due to deficiencies or inadequacies in the general population,” Messer told Fox News Digital.
“An individual’s supplement requirements will vary based on medical conditions, dietary restrictions, malabsorption issues and nutrient deficiencies,” an expert said. (iStock)
Vitamin A helps maintain good eyesight, for example — and children who get an inadequate amount are at risk for blindness, according to the CDC.
As vitamin D supports bone health and immune function, people with limited sun exposure may be more prone to bone diseases like osteoporosis, research has shown.
“As of recent regulations, vitamin D is required on nutrition labels,” Messer noted.
IV THERAPY CRAZE HAS AMERICANS PUMPING VITAMINS INTO THEIR VEINS: RESULTS ARE ‘PRETTY DRAMATIC’
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production and nerve function, according to Soares.
Folate supports DNA synthesis and prevents neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord), so it is important for women to get adequate amounts before and during early pregnancy, per the CDC.
It’s a common misconception that vitamin supplements are beneficial for everyone, an expert pointed out. (iStock)
It’s a common misconception, however, that vitamin supplements are beneficial for everyone, according to Messer.
“Technically, all vitamins are necessary — however, it is unnecessary to supplement a vitamin unless you are found to be deficient,” she said.
“An individual’s supplement requirements will vary based on medical conditions, dietary restrictions, malabsorption issues and nutrient deficiencies.”
“It is unnecessary to supplement a vitamin unless you are found to be deficient.”
Certain groups may have a greater need for vitamin supplements than others.
“While a vegan diet can fulfill many nutrient requirements, there are certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D, that may need closer attention,” Messer said.
Vitamin A is easily obtained from eating a balanced diet, vitamin E is abundant in common foods, and most people get enough vitamin C if they eat fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries and bell peppers, an expert said. (iStock)
Longtime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres announced last week that she has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, as well as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
During her final Netflix special “For Your Consideration,” DeGeneres, 66, opened up about her triple diagnosis, noting that she took a bone density test recommended by her doctor and learned she had “full-on osteoporosis.”
“I don’t even know how I’m standing up right now. I’m like a human sandcastle. I could disintegrate in the shower,” she told the audience.
ELLEN DEGENERES REVEALS 3 HEALTH DIAGNOSES AFTER ‘EXCRUCIATING PAIN’: ‘I COULD DISINTEGRATE IN THE SHOWER’
DeGeneres went on to admit that “it’s hard to be honest about aging and seem cool.”
Ellen DeGeneres joins “The Late Late Show with James Corden” as a guest on May 4, 2021. The longtime talk show host announced last week that she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, as well as OCD and ADHD. (Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images)
“I had excruciating pain one day and I thought I tore a ligament or something, and I got an MRI, and they said, ‘No, it’s just arthritis.’ I said, ‘How did I get that?’ And he said, ‘Oh it just happens at your age,’” she said.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, board-certified spine surgeon at The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New Jersey, weighed in on DeGeneres’ diagnosis.
“Ellen still appears to have great posture and appears to be very active and healthy,” he told Fox News Digital.
SOY MILK COULD REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE, RESEARCH SHOWS
“Depending on the degree of osteoporosis she was diagnosed with, she has a great chance to have a normal life,” he went on.
“It’s important for her to be well-educated about the treatments and lifestyle modifications recommended by her doctor, and be a great patient by following those instructions.”
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a “bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases, or when the structure and strength of bone changes,” according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
The disease can lead to a decrease in bone strength, which can increase the risk of broken bones.
Nearly 20% of women aged 50 and older have osteoporosis, according to the CDC.
“Osteoporosis occurs when the body loses too much bone mass or doesn’t produce enough bone to maintain healthy density,” Okubadejo said.
This causes the bone to become weak or brittle.
“Although certain populations are more vulnerable to osteoporosis, it’s often associated with aging, hormonal changes associated with age, lifestyle factors or mineral/vitamin deficiencies,” added Okubadejo.
The most common breaks in osteoporosis patients occur in the hip, wrist and spine, according to Mayo Clinic. (Randy Holmes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; iStock)
Osteoporosis can cause the bones to become so weak and brittle that a fall or even mild stress like coughing can cause a break, Mayo Clinic reported.
Nearly 20% of women aged 50 and older have osteoporosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms and risk factors
Early-stage bone loss typically does not show any symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic.
Once bones are weakened, that can lead to back pain, loss of height, stooped posture and easy bone breakage.
TESTOSTERONE THERAPY COULD HELP BOOST WOMEN’S SEX DRIVE AS THEY AGE, EXPERTS SAY
Osteoporosis can occur in men and women alike, but Mayo Clinic specified that older white and Asian women who are past menopause have the highest risk.
Men and women with small body frames tend to be more susceptible, as they have “less bone mass to draw from as they age,” the clinic noted.
The condition is also more likely to occur in people who have hormone imbalances, have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, have low calcium intake or experience disordered eating, according to the same source.
“Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone,” according to Mayo Clinic. (iStock)
Those with a family history of osteoporosis may also face a higher risk.
People who have taken corticosteroid medicines for conditions like seizures, gastric reflux, cancer and transplant rejection are more susceptible, as are those with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or liver disease, multiple myeloma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – Official Side Activities Gameplay Trailer – IGN
Constituents raise concerns about North Idaho state senator’s residency • Idaho Capital Sun
Whooping cough cases in Illinois are higher than last year, CDC reports
Indiana man allegedly claimed he killed his undocumented children, leading to investigation
Hines: A manageable October could lead to a historic November for Iowa State football
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Pennsylvania deadlock: Why Kamala picked the wrong running mate
Israel’s war on Lebanon triggers unprecedented displacement crisis
Fat Bear Week delayed after a large bear kills a rival bear
Early Voting Has Started. Here’s What to Watch.
NRA targets Sen Sherrod Brown in 7-figure ad buy in Ohio: 'Vote like your life depends on it'
-
News1 week agoMoney for cutting-edge climate technology could dry up in a second Trump term
-
News1 week agoFour killed, dozens injured in Alabama shooting
-
World1 week agoScholz’s SPD narrowly ahead of far right in east German state: Projections
-
World1 week agoRussian airstrike on apartment block in Kharkiv injures 21 people
-
News1 week agoCross-Tabs: September 2024 Times/Siena Polls in Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina
-
World1 week agoCzech main opposition party dominates regional elections
-
News1 week agoElection 2024 Polls: Texas
-
Politics1 week agoElon Musk’s pro-Trump super PAC launches website to increase canvassers in battleground states