2. OPPOSITEPAGE~CLOCKCOtSE:stt:6"tHi:STOCKBYTEPLAT-
iliR'HoTO.COM,O.HURSTIALAMY,TOoOBANNOR/ALAMY
SEVENFOODSYOUNEVERKNEW
COULDMAKEYOUFAT
ByJeffHarnpl,Ph.D..R.D.

3. eel like you're doing everything right but still can't seem to lose weight? Check out your
kitchen for these seven likely culprits. Some may seem healthy; others are convenient-but
chances are they're all tripping you up in your efforts to trim down.
Reduced-Fat Meal-Replacement Bars . Tortillas
Peanut Butter and Powders OK, they're not made with lard
Peanut butter is packed with Repeat after us: protein powder, good; anymore, but flour tortillas will
protein, fiber, and a healthy meal-replacement powder, not so good. Yes, still give you more calories than most guys
assortment of vitamins and minerals. The both options supply a hefty dose of muscle- are willing to bargain for. Instead, stick witl:
problem some people mistakenly have with building nutrients, but while protein bars corn tortillas for all your taco and burrito
it is its fat content, which is sky high. But and powders rarely have a lot of added needs. One medium taco-size COrntortilla
it's healthy, monounsaturated fat-the kind sugar, meal replacements are loaded with it. has 40 calories. A similar-size flour tortilla
that's OK to eat. Take that fat out (some Not that we're holding that against them. has 150 calories (and that's before you've
reduced-fat peanut butters promise 25% Meal replacements are designed to mimic a added ground beef and cheese, guacamole,
less fat than traditional PBs) and you still meal, in which 50% or more of calories can or sour cream).
end up getting almost as many calories= come from carbs. Fine, if you're replacing a
only now they're coming from added sugars meal you've missed-but not so hot if you're
and carbs. They're notfat, but eat enough of just looking for a between-meal snack.
them and you will be.
'
Single-Serving Packs of
Instant Oatmeal
The problem with this one? You've heard it
before: added sugar. Oatmeal is great-
one of the most nutritious, wholesome
foods you can eat. But if you're going to
eat it, you've really got only two options
that will keep you lean: Either buy sugar-
free packets or just clear out the cupboard
and stock up on the big round canister of
plain instant oats. (If you need to kick up
the flavor, add cinnamon, fresh fruit, or
zero-calorie sweeteners.) Make the
switch and you'll still get just as
much protein and fiber in every oat-
filled bowl, but you'll wind up with
50% fewer calories overall.
Coffee Creamer
How harmful can a couple of
shots of liquid coffee creamer
be? Try 80 calories for every
two tablespoons of the flavored
stuff. And if you're trying to
add enough creamer to cook up the
home equivalent of your favorite Starbucks
elixir, you're going to end up chugging an
awful lot of calories. Don't be fooled by
those "cholesterol-free" claims on the label,
either. The only thing you get from creamer
is a hefty dose of sugar cilldpartially
hydrogenated fats, which means the stuff is
not only nothealthy, it's downright deadly
and packed with heart-stopping trans fats.
. .'• " ••: .~:. Co
,. ,
~.-~~:~
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes aren't a great option for mealtime,
but the instant variety is even worse. That's
because manufacturers load it with calorie-
dense additives to improve its texture. In
fact, even a small serving of instant potatoes
can come in at more than 200 calories-far
more calories than you'd get in an entire
cup of regular spuds.
Yogurt
How can low-fat yogurt-even one that's
99% fat-free=lead to weight gain? The
answer (yet again) is sugar. One regular
serving of yogurt-just six ounces-can
contain as many as 170 calories and
close to 30 grams of sugar. It's the
biggest hazard of the dairy aisle. If you
want to stay lean, either stick with the
sugar-free variety or don't buy it at all.