Losing weight is no less than a struggle. Things become even more difficult when manufacturers use targeted packaging and marketing techniques to make unhealthy food seem healthy. While trying to live the healthy way, we often pick up packaged healthy looking items from the supermarket, which are usually laden with hidden sugar and calories. Though we all know some obvious culprits (high-calorie foods), here is a list of nine lesser-known (high-calorie) foods that you should say a big NO to if you want to lose weight. Refined grainsFoods like white bread, white rice and baked goods come under the category of refined grain. But you should know the processing of these grains removes fibre and other important nutrients from them. Since there is no fibre, you don’t feel fuller for a longer time and go for a second serving soon.Foods and drinks with added sugarPasta sauce, fruit juices, yoghurt and condiments are some foods that come in this category. Manufacturers often add sugar to these foods in the form of cane juice, fruit juice concentrate and high-fructose corn syrup. Foods and drinks high in sugar play a major role in obesity and obesity-related issues. If you go overboard, even natural sugar can lead to weight gain. Processed foodsProcessed foods like packages meat, packaged snacks and canned drinks are really high in sugar, salt and fats. Some ultra-processed foods are emulsifiers, preservatives, colours and flavours. These foods appeal to our taste buds and promote weight gain. Fried and greasy foodsThis category includes burger, fries, fried chicken, pizza, potato wedges and more. You usually eat these foods outside of your home where the oil used is of cheap quality and potentially less healthy. Eating fried, oily and greasy food not just make you gain weight but also put you at risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. AlcoholMost people don’t know the effect alcohol has on their weight. Though moderate drinking doesn’t lead to weight gain, going overboard is associated with increased body weight.

Candy barsCandy bars are extremely unhealthy. These have a lot of added sugar, oil and refined flour. Candies are low in nutrients and high in calories. An average sized candy bar can have 200-300 calories.

Frozen mealsTo make fresh food last longer, food manufacturers often load frozen foods with sodium and preservatives. Excess sodium makes you retain water, which bloats you and thus increases the water weight of your body.

CerealsThe packaged cereals available in the market are usually laden with calorie and sugar. And when people eat from larger packets, they end up eating 22 per cent more than what they generally do.

Source: indiatimes.com