The fact is, there are a lot of food/products being marketed as healthy alternatives to weight loss but are really just wasting your money and worse, making your belly fat bigger. Remember that salad-go-green hype? Yes, leafy greens are on top when it comes to weight loss but the dressings that come with it should not be included if a flatter belly is what you aim for. Maybe they just forgot to mention that in their popular weight loss blogs.

Here is a list of popular products claiming instant weight loss that one should avoid:

Frozen yogurt versus Greek yogurt

What’s the deal among all these kinds of yogurt taking the internet by storm? Let make it simple: Greek yogurt is the real thing (unsweetened and sour). Frozen yogurt usually found in supermarkets is a lighter version of the ice cream (sweet and creamy).

So, if what you are aiming for is weight loss, then better stick with the real thing. This will not only save you money but also will not make you wonder where all those belly fats are coming from.

Vitamin water versus Water

These vitamin-infused bottled waters are new in supermarket shelves. But what’s the hype about? It is simply water with flavor that is spiked with added nutrients that claim may aid in weight loss. Experts claim that there is actually no need to shell out extra cash for this. The reason? If you are serious in losing weight, chances are, you have already altered your diet to healthier alternatives. There is no reason to make these infused water bottles part of your daily routine. And that one should be aware of the hidden high sugar content and preservatives mostly found in these bottles.

Brown rice versus White rice

When trying to lose weight, we try to avoid carbs and sugar. Opting for quinoa as an addition to salads and snacks and making brown rice a staple in our daily meals is not considered a hype. This is because both alternatives are higher in fiber and protein content and low in sugar than their counterparts, making weight loss more manageable.

Probiotic drinks versus Fermented vegetables

The truth is, both are good for the health and yes, there is a possibility that they can aid in weight loss. How so? Gut health is important not only in weight loss but one’s overall health

Probiotics and fermented products aid in the promotion of a healthy gut through helping it have a healthier balance between its good and bad bacteria. And when there is a good balance in the gut, absorption of nutrients becomes easy for the body. This means less craving for comfort food: deep-fried potato fries, salty chips, vanilla ice cream, donuts, etc.

 Granola bars versus Good old peanuts

Granola bars are basically a mixture of different kinds of nuts glued with sugar. Good old peanuts are bought either raw or cooked already, can be boiled or fried. Granola bars recently gained its popularity when hikers and other sports enthusiasts started promoting it as a meal replacement when one is in the middle of hike or biking competition. They claim it provides the energy needed for quite a number of hours. This claim didn’t slip from ears of those aiming for weight loss. Granola bars became a substitute for snacks and sometimes, even dinners.

Though nuts are innately nutritious, what weight watchers should watch when opting for these bars are its sugar, sodium and oil content so as not to defeat the purpose of skipping a meal.

Cow’s milk versus Almond milk

Aside from the fact that one is vegan and the other is not, again, the factor to consider when trying to lose weight is a product’s fat content. Of course, because almond milk is plant-based, more or less, its fat content is lesser than its animal-based counterpart.

The question is though, why is there a need for milk in your diet? If you are one who needs it for shakes and breakfast puddings, then the healthier alternative is the almond milk. But if you can survive with just your greens, you are better off. Cow’s milk is in the hot seat right now as a lot of studies are being made and the results are somewhat disturbing.

There are studies that show how cow’s milk is associated with the formation and aggravation of mucus leading to respiratory problems, different kinds of allergies and hormonal imbalances. So, just to be safe when you are trying to lose weight, opt for plant-based milk if there is really a need.

Dark chocolate versus Milk chocolate

Chocolates have been around for a long time. Some poets even described it as food for the gods. And like other things, living and non-living in this universe, it also evolved. Cacao, where it is derived from, has nothing to offer but nutrients and good stuff to its harvesters.

However, man, the curious one, tried adding a bit of like this and like that to cacao until the name “chocolate” was born. Today, there is what we call dark chocolate (sans milk, nuts, etc.). Nutritionists call it the real chocolate.

While there is what we also call, the milk chocolate. Which, true to its word, has milk, sugar and all other stuff which makes the simple cacao seem unhealthy. Of course, a small amount of milk chocolate won’t harm a healthy person. When one is aiming for weight loss, then the better option is what is termed to as dark chocolate.

Beer versus Red wine

When caught in a social gathering or when you simply want a sip of an alcoholic drink, what is the “healthier” option between the two? The challenge here is the calorie content especially when losing weight is in effect

Beer, especially those that are homegrown (not mass produced) and brewed or crafted in your local towns, are fermented to perfection and have nutrients of its own.

Red wine, on the other hand, is also known to do good for those with heart ailments. I think that the point here is for the drinker to be aware of the amount of beer or wine he drinks rather than compare which is the healthier alternative. Another thing to consider that is of importance is the side dish that comes with the drinking. Cheeses and olives are a great addition to calorie counting when partnered with wine or beer.

Red meat versus White meat

Red meat usually comes from beef or pork while white meat usually comes from the chicken. But which is healthier when it comes to weight loss? Energy wise, when you are into the athletic side and are burning a lot of calories from all those sweating. Red meat gives more energy as compared to white meat.

When it comes to weight loss, red meat is loaded with B vitamins and helps a lot in achieving your goal. Though, it comes with a hefty price compared to white meat. When it comes to muscle building, white meat poses greater chances. This is because white meat is easier to digest making nutrients easier to absorb and muscle-building faster too. So when choosing between the two, think of your goals and our budget.

Keep in mind that when trying to lose weight, portioning is the key when it comes to all kinds of meat. Just make sure that what you have on your plate is enough to keep you going all day.