As you age, it gets increasingly harder to lose weight. The body’s metabolism slows down, hormone levels change, and body composition changes. Also, the levels of muscle mass naturally decrease, while fat accumulates.
To lower your body mass, it’s necessary to change your eating and fitness habits. These are four food types that you should avoid to lose weight when you’re over 40.
1. Ultra-Processed Foods
Because the body’s metabolism slows down after hitting 40, you should mind what you eat. Highly processed foods may contribute to blood sugar spikes, diabetes, and heart disease. Ultra-processed foods include fast food, potato chips, instant meals, etc. According to Young, you should replace these foods with fruits, veggies, nuts, fish, and beans.
2. Foods Low in Fiber
Fiber is very important for someone over 40 who is trying to lose weight, according to dieticians. Diets with lots of fiber help you feel satiated for longer, normalize bowel movements and lower cholesterol levels. Examples of low-fiber foods are milk products, bread, and pasta. High-fiber foods include beans, whole grains, raw vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
3. Processed Meats
According to Young, processed meats contain too much saturated fat and can also cause inflammation in the body, leading to weight gain. They can be replaced with lean meats, like turkey or chicken breast.
4. Fruit Juices
Contrary to popular belief, fruit juices aren’t that healthy. According to health experts, the processing that fruit juices go through adds sugar and removes fiber that occurs naturally in the fruit. The sugar from the juice can cause a spike in blood sugar, which can encourage weight gain. Fruit juices can be replaced with fresh fruit.
