The First 5 Things Nutritionists Will Tell You To Cut From Your Diet If You Want To Lose Weight

This article was written by Maggie Finn Ryan and provided by our partners at Bicycling.

We can all agree that restrictive diets are a total drag. Plus, they’ve been proven to be detrimental to our health in the long run. For our sanity, it’s important to enjoy what we eat, and registered dieticians insist that most foods are fine in moderation. That said, “there are some foods, which provide minimal nutritional benefits, that we should limit or avoid,” says Vandana Sheth, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

So how can you begin phasing them out? Angela Ginn-Meadow, R.D., also a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that it’s a gradual process: Start by eating these foods less often, then cut down the portion size when you do eat it. Finally, sub in a healthier option. (Lose up to 15 pounds WITHOUT dieting with Eat Clean to Get Lean, our 21-day clean-eating meal plan.)

The bottom line is that healthy eating is about being mindful and aware of what you’re consuming. Here, registered dietitians share the five foods you should totally nix from your diet. Trust us, your body won’t miss them.