Beware These Sneaky Quarantine Foods That Sabotage Your Health

Maintaining self-control and sticking to a healthy routine during self-isolation can be challenging, especially when it comes to food choices. To prevent unwanted weight gain, it’s essential to approach your meal planning thoughtfully and mindfully.

It’s always easier to avoid gaining extra pounds than to lose them later. But how can you stay in shape while spending so much time at home with easy access to your fridge? The key is to avoid stocking tempting trigger foods, shop only what you need, keep a food diary, and replace mindless snacking with balanced meals.

Here’s a list of foods to steer clear of to emerge from isolation with radiant skin and a fit, healthy body.

1. Fast Food

During quarantine, people tend to fall into two categories: those who take the opportunity to hone their cooking skills, and those who succumb to laziness, ordering delivery (often unhealthy) almost daily. Fast food is a common culprit—it's quick, affordable, and tasty. But remember, every burger often comes with unwanted weight gain, skin issues, and digestive problems. Challenge yourself to make a healthy turkey burger at home—it’s not only more delicious but also far better for your wellbeing!

2. Nuts

Though seemingly harmless, nuts can be a slippery slope. Many keep large quantities on hand, making it easy to overeat—especially while binge-watching shows. Due to their high calorie content, excessive nut consumption can lead to weight gain. Moreover, nuts can trigger severe allergies and even toxicity if consumed excessively. For example, large amounts of hazelnuts may negatively affect brain vessels, and almonds can impact kidney function. Mold and pesticides in nuts can also cause poisoning. Keep your daily nut intake to about 30 grams to stay safe and healthy.

3. Refined Flour Products

The story of unhealthy eating habits continues with refined flour. Even if you avoid ordering pizza and burgers, you might find yourself grabbing various pastries and loaves of bread. While convenient for quick sandwiches or snacks, regularly including refined flour in every meal—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—is a red flag. It’s time to reassess your diet to avoid post-quarantine health consequences.

4. Sugar

We all know sugar isn’t healthy, but a reminder is always timely. Before indulging in a tub of ice cream during your next movie night, read on.

Sugar is calorie-dense but lacks vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Eating sugar alone won’t satisfy hunger, leading to additional calorie intake. Often, sugar pairs with fats in cakes and pastries, making it even less diet-friendly.

Unlike complex carbs like potatoes, refined sugar is rapidly absorbed, causing quick spikes in blood glucose. Glucose fuels muscles and organs, but if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, excess glucose converts to fat, adding pounds and stressing the pancreas.

Sugar also harms dental health by promoting acid production in the mouth, which erodes enamel and leads to cavities.

So, should you toss your sugar stash or freely sweeten your drinks? Moderation is key.

Nutrition experts suggest limiting sugar intake to about 60 grams per day (roughly 15 sugar cubes or 12 teaspoons). While that sounds like a lot, remember sugar hides in 90% of processed foods. Always check product labels for sugar content.

5. Overstocking Your Pantry

One of the biggest mistakes during quarantine is buying excessive amounts of food, especially your favorite treats. To avoid temptation, shop more frequently but buy smaller portions. Studies show people who keep trigger foods at home weigh on average nine pounds more than those who don’t. Keeping smaller quantities means you can enjoy your favorites without guilt or overindulgence.

If you’re worried about shortages, recall the frenzy during the first quarantine when people hoarded everything yet still faced empty shelves. Grocery stores remain open and maintain steady supplies of essential foods.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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