Healthy Foods Do Not Mean Overeating

Natural foods are good for your health and help you lose weight, but if eaten in excess, they could cause the opposite effect. Know 5 healthy foods that you should not consume in excess.

Most of us probably know what foods to eat to lose weight and stay healthy. However, just because they are healthy foods, it does not mean that they can be eaten in excess. Excess, even healthy foods, is not recommended. For example, too much healthy food can harm a  weight loss diet.

Therefore, it is important to know what they are and avoid their excessive consumption. These are 5 healthy foods you could be overeating. If so, just cut back.

Also read Don’t be afraid of food, you just have to avoid excesses

Healthy foods that you may overeat

1. Cereals

It is recommended to avoid sugary cereals and choose cereals that have a whole grain as the main ingredient. However, eating whole grain cereal in an oversized bowl can often mean consuming too much calories. It’s an even bigger problem for dense grains like granola. In fact, in this way it is very easy to consume hundreds of calories in a single session and without realizing it. The recommended serving is ¼ cup of granola, 1 cup of cereal flakes, or 2 cups of puffed wheat.

In any case, it is interesting to look at the labels of cereals to choose those that contain a low amount of simple sugars. It is a range of products that normally offer not very adequate nutritional characteristics, so you have to be cautious in your choice. Consuming oatmeal regularly, for example, can help regulate the appetite-satiety curve and therefore be of interest in the framework of a hypocaloric diet according to the following study.

2. Nuts

Nuts are a very healthy food. They contain healthy fats and they also help us feel full. However, it is very easy to overeat dried fruits, such as walnuts, especially if one is eating them directly from a large jar. The recommended dose of nuts is approximately 30 grams. This translates to a handful (the value of a golf ball) of them.

Nuts usually contain a large amount of minerals essential for the body to function. A very clear case is that of zinc, whose deficiency could cause problems in the metabolism of testosterone according to the following article published in the journal “Metabolism” carried out in rodents.

Also read What are the contributions of nuts to the diet

3. Olive oil

A green salad drizzled with olive oil is healthy. Green vegetables are very nutritious and olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that are very good for the heart. But remember that olive oil contains at least 100 calories per tablespoon. Therefore, although its consumption is important, it should not be consumed in excess. The recommended dose of olive oil is 1 to 2 tablespoons.

It should also be noted that it is a food that must be consumed raw. The fact of subjecting it to high temperatures causes the appearance of harmful compounds such as acrylamide. These types of substances have a significant toxic potential and are related to the appearance of various types of cancer according to the following study.

4. Hummus

Hummus, or chickpea puree, is a very healthy snack. Hummus contains healthy proteins and fats. However, it is very easy to overdo it, especially if you buy large containers. The suggested consumption of this food is approximately 2 tablespoons of hummus as a snack.

Anyway, it should be noted that the consumption of legumes is recommended at least 2 times a week. It is an excellent source of carbohydrates and minerals. They also have a supply of essential fiber for proper intestinal transit and the prevention of diseases related to the digestive system, as stated in the “International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition”.

Also read 7 recipes for hummus to never get bored of this dish

5. Freshly squeezed orange juice

Juices are healthy as they contain fruit and its nutrients. However, with juices there is the problem of ingesting too much sugar and less fiber than if we consume whole fruits. Ideally, swap a glass of juice for a whole orange. This way you will consume more fiber.  However, freshly squeezed juice is very healthy. The suggested serving size for the juice is approximately 150 milliliters.

To keep in mind!

Everything must be in its proper measure. Just as an over-the-counter drug does not mean it is free to consume, a healthy food is not to be consumed excessively. Simply organize your meals, eat healthy in controlled portions.