The  foods that cause the most weight gain, according to Harvard University, are the following (starting from greatest or most dangerous):

French fries

Fries sold at fast food restaurants are one of the most harmful foods out there, as they are delicious and addictive.  People that frequently eat french fries can gain almost a year and a half each year.  Making them at home only makes them a little bit “better”.

Gaining weightPotato chips

This is an excellent snack for an appetizer, get-togethers, or a small bite before dinner.  They have a lot of oil and salt, which causes weight gain.  They also don’t satiate hunger, and thus are easily eaten in large amounts.

Sugar-sweetened drinks

Consuming one or two sodas a day could not only cause weight gain, but also cause glucose levels in the blood to shoot through the roof.  It doesn’t matter if they’re diet or not; they are damaging to health.

Fatty Meat

Eating too much beef or pork contributes to weight gain and could also increase cholesterol due to the fat contained therein.

Weight gain

Processed meats

Just like sausages, they contain a lot of saturated fats, calories, sodium and coloring.  They are not healthy for children nor for adults, and consuming them is not advisable.

Trans fat

Hundreds of products seen in the supermarket contain trans fat, which is very damaging for health.  They are found primarily in frozen foods, processed foods, and foods that come “ready to eat”.

Potatoes

Without taking into consideration the method of preparing this tuber that is popular in several countries, one plate of potatoes a day creates problems in the body, like stomach heaviness and a “false” sense of satiety.

Sweets and pastries

Cookies, cakes, bakery goods, etc., are bad for health because they contain large amounts of sugar and fats.  It’s better to eat fruit after meals.

Refined grains

Like rice, for example, which is another highly consumed food around the world, for its price and performance.  The problem doesn’t have to do with the grain itself, but rather, with the “bleaching” process.  Nothing whitened is good because it is not natural.  Opt for whole grain rice or Brown rice.

Fried foods

Setting aside the potatoes that were previously mentions, other deep fat fried foods or foods fried in oil are damaging, most especially those that are purchased in restaurants or food stands, more so than those prepared at home.  You can include any sort of breaded meat or chicken, vegetables, etc.

Prepared fruit juices

Even those that are labeled at 100% natural, are not, because they contain too much sugar to truly fit into the “healthy” sector.  A lot of times their coloring and preservatives are harmful.

Butter

The fat used to make butter makes this bad for the body and also for skin.  It has been proven that people who consume butter or mayonnaise have more acne or oil on their faces.  It has also been proven to raise cholesterol levels.

Weight gain 2Other “bad” foods

In addition to the 12 foods previously names, let’s add the following foods, which are not advisable to consume frequently:

Pastas: especially if made with white flour.  A moderate amount once a week won’t cause any damage, the problem comes into play when you eat it every day and with sauces or creams, as well as cheeses and fatty condiments.  Everything that contains calories and carbohydrates will cause weight gain.

Weight gain 3

Salad or meat dressings: this group includes mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, rubs, Caesar’s dressing, among others.  All of these contain a lot of salt and fat, which makes triglyceride levels skyrocket.

Chocolate: we need to make a few exceptions here.  For example, bitter chocolate that contains more cacao is not harmful (if eaten with care, of course).  But if you buy the more commercial and cheaper kinds of chocolate, that definitely have additives, preservatives and sweeteners.  In whatever way possible, avoid white chocolate, which contains large amounts of chemicals, fat and sugar.

BDST: 1513 HRS, JAN 22, 2015