Spring Clean Your Diet!

Spring Clean Your Diet!

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No matter which diet you're following, there are a few foods that anyone serious about losing weight should give the boot. Here are the "culprits" I suggest you free from your fridge and purge from your pantry for a good, old-fashioned spring cleaning of your diet.

Culprit 1: White Bread

White bread is a staple of the American diet, loved by kids and adults alike (especially when there's a nice layer of peanut butter on one slice and grape jelly on the other, but I digress.) It's only human to prefer white bread to whole-grain varieties. Why? White bread is a refined carb, which basically means it's sugar -- and we all tend to have a liking for that white stuff, too.

White bread is typically enriched, which means nutrients that are stripped away are added back in. Even so, it doesn't pack the nutritional punch of whole grains. Even the "lite" or diet versions of white bread aren't such a good idea, even though they contain fewer calories than regular white bread. Another reason to go for whole grains? White bread digests much more quickly than whole grain varieties and therefore leaves you feeling hungry again much sooner.

Culprit 2: Soda

Soda is chock full of empty calories that go down oh-so-easily. Just one serving of regular soda packs in more than 100 calories -- and how many of us stop at just one serving? Go back for refills at your favorite fast food eatery and you can easily consume thousands of liquid calories in one sitting. Be careful of sports drinks, as well. Most of them contain just as many calories, and just as much sugar, as soda.

Culprit 3: Too Many Fruit Juices

Sure it sounds like it is always the healthy choice, but fruit juice can contain as many calories as soda, too. One small glass of orange juice packs in just over 100 calories. So, if you drink several glasses throughout the day...well, you do the math. Of course, it is preferable to soda, thanks to its vitamin content. But if you're really looking for a better caloric bargain that will benefit your health, choose whole fruit instead of juice. You'll take in fewer calories and more fiber, especially if you choose a fruit with skin, like an apple.

Culprit 4: Fattening Frozen Foods

Fish sticks and chicken nuggets may be convenience champions, since they are easy to zap in the microwave and are ready in seconds. However, they can spell diet disaster. These options are deep fried long before they make their way to your freezer, and that turns healthy poultry and fish into diet duds. Look for frozen, grilled fish fillets and grilled chicken patties or strips to get the benefit of convenience without so much fat.