Fit Dessert Into Your Diet
Does the red swipe of peanut butter or pork chops scare you? Fear not – red foods are simply red because of their caloric density, not because they’re unhealthy. Noom classifies foods by the amount of calories they have in a given quantity: fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are all water-rich and therefore less caloric, are all Noom ‘all-you-can-eat’ green foods. You can eat the largest amount of green foods for the smallest amount of calories. Yellow foods are ‘normal’ foods — they contain some water and include most starches and lean proteins like turkey, chicken, fish, low-fat dairy, and eggs. Red foods, like almonds or chocolate, have virtually no water and pack the most calories per gram of all foods.
It’s logical to feel a bit wary of red foods, particularly if you are trying to lose weight. How can red foods contribute to your successful weight loss? You’ll be surprised (and happy!) to know that they can fit in without a problem.
Take a look at your most common red foods.
What’s your daily indulgence? A muffin? Red meat? Desserts? Look at when and how often you eat it. Is it a vice or a part of your daily meals? If you want to eat a muffin for breakfast, that’s completely fine. Try to eat your muffin with fruit to make your meal more filling. If you know the muffin is high-calorie, try to keep your other meals to mainly green and yellow foods to keep from going over-budget. A serving of red meat can pack a ton of protein – just keep it to the size of your palm and eat some filling green veggies with it. And we all know dark chocolate is good for you because it’s full of antioxidants, so long as you’re munching on just a square or two once a day.
By looking at what red foods you like, you can figure out how they factor into your daily calories. If you’re constantly adding 200 calories every day with peanut butter, try going for one tablespoon (half of a serving) instead of two. If you put cheese on all of your dinners, pick a lower-calorie option, or just skip the cheese a few nights per week. If you know you want that piece of cake after dinner, log it in the morning. You can make up for it by cutting calories elsewhere.
Are there benefits to any red foods?
Of course! Well, maybe not your cheat meal with a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s, but red foods like nuts contain key heart-healthy fats and Omega-3s. Cheese can provide protein and calcium. And while your ice cream indulgence might not have much nutritional value, it is helpful to keep your mind at ease by allowing yourself an exception every once in a while. Too much restriction can lead to overindulgence later on – so grab a spoonful of Half Baked if you’re craving it. Just remember to see how it fits in with your goals.
