Unexpected Empty Calorie Foods You Should Avoid Because They Slow Your Metabolism: Frozen Pizza and More

Empty calorie dinners are meals high in calories but low in essential nutrients, often filled with refined sugars, unhealthy fats and processed ingredients. Consuming these meals regularly can not only lead to weight gain and increased risk of chronic diseases, but also slow down your metabolism. Foods high in carbohydrates and refined sugars cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar, negatively impacting metabolic rate, while those high in unhealthy fats and low in protein can decrease muscle mass.

We sat down with Michelle Saari, RD at the EHealth Project, and Jesse Feder, RDN, CPT of My Chrons and Colitis Team to learn about two empty calorie foods to cut out because they can slow down your metabolism. They revealed that Frozen pizza And fast food meals are the ones to minimize. Read on to find out why.

Frozen pizza

Frozen pizza is a great example of an empty-calorie dinner, high in refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats and excess sodium, but lacking in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals and fiber. The high levels of refined flour and sugars in the crust can cause rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar, disrupting your metabolism.

“Frozen pizzas make a quick dinner, but they can impact your metabolism due to their high content of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. The scab can cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall, potentially leading to insulin resistance over time, resulting in excess blood sugar. fat storage. Saturated fats from cheese and processed meats can also increase fat storage in the body, making it harder to burn calories,” says Saari.

fast food

Fast foods are often considered empty-calorie dinners due to their high content of unhealthy fats, sugars and refined ingredients, coupled with a lack of essential nutrients. Common foods like hamburgers, fries, and sugary sodas provide lots of calories without the nutritional benefits needed for a healthy diet.

“Fast food meals contain high amounts of unhealthy fats, sodium, and oils. This can also lead to weight gain, obesity, cardiovascular disease, heart disease, and stroke, to name a few. just a few things,” says Feder. “The ingredients in fast food meals are also highly processed and refined, which can be digested quickly and lead to a decreased metabolism.”

To maintain a healthy metabolism and overall well-being, consider healthier alternatives. For example, replace frozen pizza with homemade pizza using a whole grain crust, fresh vegetables, lean protein and a moderate amount of cheese. Instead of fast food, prepare quick, nutritious meals at home, like grilled chicken with quinoa and steamed vegetables or a salad topped with beans, nuts and a light dressing.