It's undoubtedly possible to have too much of a good thing.
Consider some of the weight-loss practices that are most effective in your daily life. You might be someone who counts macros, prioritizes getting enough sleep, or exercises regularly. Whatever you do, it is all about figuring out what works best for you and your specific objectives.
While there are many beneficial behaviors, some may cause you to gain weight rather than lose it. These habits can go unnoticed for long periods, highly frustrating for people trying to achieve their health goals.
You would never think that devouring good food could help you gain weight, but it does, according to Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook.
"There's a frequent and understandable notion that simply because something is beneficial for you, you may eat as much of it as you want," says Goodson. "However, this isn't always true for some things."
Even though certain meals are low in sugar or fat and high in beneficial nutrients, if you do not keep track of how much you eat, you can ingest too many calories.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, losing weight requires finding healthy foods low in calories while being nutrient-dense.
"Veggies are always fantastic, and I'd say eat as many as you want because you'll probably get bored of them before you eat too many calories from them," Goodson adds. "However, foods that are high in calories, such as healthy fats, whole grains, and other high-calorie health foods, might lead to weight gain and an excess of calories at the end of the day."
Healthy fats like almonds, nut butter, avocados, and trail mix, for example, are fantastic complements to a balanced diet. Still, it is easy to overeat them and forget about portion sizes, according to Goodson.
Even though the Back to Nature Harvest Blend is one of the healthiest trail mixes on the market, it still contains 11 grams of fat per 1/4 cup serving. When you consider that the recommended daily consumption of fat calories is between 44 and 77 grams, you can see how it is simple to consume too many calories if you do not keep track of your portion sizes.
Although "nutrient-dense" snacks like granola, dried fruit, or energy bars might occasionally help you accomplish your health objectives, if consumed in large numbers, they can also lead to too many calories or added sugar.
Even Purely Elizabeth's Ancient Grain Granola, which contains natural sweeteners and is regarded as one of the healthiest granolas available, contains 5 grams of sugar and 130 calories per 1/3 cup serving.
Now, before you throw out all your favorite granolas, energy bars, trail mixes, and nutritious snacks, keep in mind that if you keep track of how much you eat, these items can still help you achieve your health objectives.
"Many nutrient-dense, high-quality foods also have a high-calorie content, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat them," adds Goodson. "It simply means that you should keep an eye on your serving size to ensure that these foods are helping you reach your overall calorie requirements."