Fall brings with it delicious (and dangerous) food options like tailgate foods layered with fat, deep-fried fair snacks, Halloween sweets, and of course, comfort foods. It’s easy to see why we tend to pack on pounds in the fall, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to temptation. “Regardless of the season, there are always healthy alternatives. Read labels and gather as much info as possible to help you make the leanest choice,” says Robert Reames, CNC, a member of the Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute. So put down the pumpkin cinnamon bun and learn the truth about 20 belly-busting foods you’ll want to avoid to help you stay in fighting shape this fall.
Beer
The belly buster: Carbohydrates
Football season is one of the highlights of fall, but you have to be careful you're not drinking a day's worth of calories come Sunday. "Beer has a highly concentrated amount of carbohydrates," said Reames. "In essence drinking a bottle is the equivalent of eating a piece of white bread." Plus, alcohol is an appetite stimulant. And keep in mind that seasonal brews can contain a higher alcohol count, and more alcohol means more calories. For example, Blue Moon Harvest ale has 5.7% alcohol (compared with 5.4% in a Blue Moon) and contains about 10 calories more per bottle than the regular version.
Football season is one of the highlights of fall, but you have to be careful you're not drinking a day's worth of calories come Sunday. "Beer has a highly concentrated amount of carbohydrates," said Reames. "In essence drinking a bottle is the equivalent of eating a piece of white bread." Plus, alcohol is an appetite stimulant. And keep in mind that seasonal brews can contain a higher alcohol count, and more alcohol means more calories. For example, Blue Moon Harvest ale has 5.7% alcohol (compared with 5.4% in a Blue Moon) and contains about 10 calories more per bottle than the regular version.
Hot Wings
The belly buster: Calories
No football spread is complete without wings, but this finger food is highly caloric and more of a meal than a snack or appetizer. Not only are wings high in fat, they also have extra sodium from all that sauce. A typical five-wing serving can contain anywhere from 300 to 500 calories, and more than 750 mg of sodium, according to Reames.
No football spread is complete without wings, but this finger food is highly caloric and more of a meal than a snack or appetizer. Not only are wings high in fat, they also have extra sodium from all that sauce. A typical five-wing serving can contain anywhere from 300 to 500 calories, and more than 750 mg of sodium, according to Reames.
Cider
The belly buster: Sugar
A typical 8.5-ounce serving yields about 30 g of carbs, 30 g of sugar, and around 120 calories. “The calorie count is low enough, but the insulin surge from all the sugar and carbs will put your body into fat-storage mode,” says Reames. Same goes with apple juice, another fall favorite.
A typical 8.5-ounce serving yields about 30 g of carbs, 30 g of sugar, and around 120 calories. “The calorie count is low enough, but the insulin surge from all the sugar and carbs will put your body into fat-storage mode,” says Reames. Same goes with apple juice, another fall favorite.
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
The belly buster: Sugar
A Grande pumpkin latte contains 310 calories, more than 40 g of sugar, and 49 g of carbs. You’re better off drinking a tall skinny latte, which has just 120 calories, 14 g of carbs, and 12 g of sugar.
A Grande pumpkin latte contains 310 calories, more than 40 g of sugar, and 49 g of carbs. You’re better off drinking a tall skinny latte, which has just 120 calories, 14 g of carbs, and 12 g of sugar.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
The belly buster: Calories
The key to eating this hearty comfort food is portion size: A typical 8-ounce serving yields about 498 calories, 33 g of fat (21 g saturated), 43 g of carbs, and 3 g of sugar, according to Reames. “You’ll be wearing this dish soon after consumption.”
The key to eating this hearty comfort food is portion size: A typical 8-ounce serving yields about 498 calories, 33 g of fat (21 g saturated), 43 g of carbs, and 3 g of sugar, according to Reames. “You’ll be wearing this dish soon after consumption.”
Baked Acorn Squash
The belly buster: Sugar, saturated fat
This seasonal vegetable is loaded with antioxidants and fiber, but popular recipes tend to make this food a fat bomb. Many recipes call for cooking the dish with loads of butter and brown sugar. “Instead, bake it with a touch of olive oil instead of the butter, and reduce the amount of sugar or maple syrup you add,” says Reames.
This seasonal vegetable is loaded with antioxidants and fiber, but popular recipes tend to make this food a fat bomb. Many recipes call for cooking the dish with loads of butter and brown sugar. “Instead, bake it with a touch of olive oil instead of the butter, and reduce the amount of sugar or maple syrup you add,” says Reames.
Rotisserie Chicken
The belly buster: Fat, sodium
This homey classic can be a good choice, as long as you steer clear of the skin and dark meat. For example, Reames says a 6-ounce Golden Corral breast and wing combo with skin packs 310 calories, 15 g of fat (5 g saturated), 175 mg of cholesterol, and a shocking 1,070 mg of sodium. “The skin and the dark meat from the wings will increase the fat content on rotisserie chicken, and the skin is where much of the sodium lies as well,” he says. By comparison the Costco white rotisserie breast meat for the same serving size packs 240 calories, 6 g of fat (2 g saturated), 120 mg of cholesterol, and 760 mg of sodium, making it a healthier choice.
This homey classic can be a good choice, as long as you steer clear of the skin and dark meat. For example, Reames says a 6-ounce Golden Corral breast and wing combo with skin packs 310 calories, 15 g of fat (5 g saturated), 175 mg of cholesterol, and a shocking 1,070 mg of sodium. “The skin and the dark meat from the wings will increase the fat content on rotisserie chicken, and the skin is where much of the sodium lies as well,” he says. By comparison the Costco white rotisserie breast meat for the same serving size packs 240 calories, 6 g of fat (2 g saturated), 120 mg of cholesterol, and 760 mg of sodium, making it a healthier choice.
Corn Dog
The belly buster: Carbs, fat
Pass this one up at the fairground. One Wiener schnitzel corn dog packs 250 calories, 12 g of fat, 29 g of carbs, and 8 g of sugar. A standard hot dog isn’t much better: A typical beef wiener and roll contain about 272 calories, 8 g of fat, 39 g of carbs, and 6 g of sugar.
Pass this one up at the fairground. One Wiener schnitzel corn dog packs 250 calories, 12 g of fat, 29 g of carbs, and 8 g of sugar. A standard hot dog isn’t much better: A typical beef wiener and roll contain about 272 calories, 8 g of fat, 39 g of carbs, and 6 g of sugar.
Corn Bread
The belly buster: High carbohydrates, little fiber
It’s a tasty partner to your favorite fall chili and soups, but you might want to rethink this bread choice if you’re watching your belly. “One 3.6-ounce piece of corn bread has 46 g of insulin-spiking carbs, zero fiber, and 328 calories,” says Reames. “Foods with these stats drive hunger because they really don’t fill you up.” A better choice would be a wheat roll, which has about 115 calories, 22 g of carbs, and more than 3 g of fiber.
It’s a tasty partner to your favorite fall chili and soups, but you might want to rethink this bread choice if you’re watching your belly. “One 3.6-ounce piece of corn bread has 46 g of insulin-spiking carbs, zero fiber, and 328 calories,” says Reames. “Foods with these stats drive hunger because they really don’t fill you up.” A better choice would be a wheat roll, which has about 115 calories, 22 g of carbs, and more than 3 g of fiber.
Pumpkin Bread
The belly buster: Carbohydrates, sugar
Rich in vitamin A, pumpkin is a healthy choice—that is before you add a ton of sugar and flour and turn it into bread. “Again, the issue with pumpkin bread is the excess carb and sugar content, combined with very little fiber,” said Reames. “You have 48 g of carbs, 29 g of sugar, and fewer than 2 g of fiber.” But bakers, don’t despair: There are healthy recipes out there like this one that reduce the amount of carbs and sugar and beef up the fiber content to make it a safer bet for your waistline.
Rich in vitamin A, pumpkin is a healthy choice—that is before you add a ton of sugar and flour and turn it into bread. “Again, the issue with pumpkin bread is the excess carb and sugar content, combined with very little fiber,” said Reames. “You have 48 g of carbs, 29 g of sugar, and fewer than 2 g of fiber.” But bakers, don’t despair: There are healthy recipes out there like this one that reduce the amount of carbs and sugar and beef up the fiber content to make it a safer bet for your waistline.
Creamy Soups
The belly buster: Fat, sodium
There are many different types of soups out there, and no surprise, the water-based choices are kinder on the waistline in calories and fat. Not only that, but they also are healthier in terms of sodium content. Turns out creamed soups tend to pack more sodium than the broth kind, according to Reames. He recommends finding a healthy recipe and making the soup at home. “If you use fresh vegetables, a clear broth, and your favorite herbs for flavor, you can keep the fat and sodium content down,” says Reames. “Soup takes a long time to eat, so satiety signals will kick in before you’re likely to overeat.”
There are many different types of soups out there, and no surprise, the water-based choices are kinder on the waistline in calories and fat. Not only that, but they also are healthier in terms of sodium content. Turns out creamed soups tend to pack more sodium than the broth kind, according to Reames. He recommends finding a healthy recipe and making the soup at home. “If you use fresh vegetables, a clear broth, and your favorite herbs for flavor, you can keep the fat and sodium content down,” says Reames. “Soup takes a long time to eat, so satiety signals will kick in before you’re likely to overeat.”
Bratwurst
The belly buster: Fat
Of course you didn’t forget about Oktoberfest this season. But the German celebration brings with it carb-heavy beer, potato salad, and sausage. A typical bratwurst packs about 300 calories and 28 g of fat.
Of course you didn’t forget about Oktoberfest this season. But the German celebration brings with it carb-heavy beer, potato salad, and sausage. A typical bratwurst packs about 300 calories and 28 g of fat.
Marie Callender’s Apple Pie
The belly buster: Sugar, carbohydrates
In-season apples are good, but apple pie is not the perfect vehicle for fruit. One slice of this pie sports 18 g of fat, 42 g of carbs, and 22 g of sugar. Because the real driver of fats and sugar is in the crust, a healthier indulgence would be to bake an apple crumble. Just be sure to use a low-sugar recipe.
In-season apples are good, but apple pie is not the perfect vehicle for fruit. One slice of this pie sports 18 g of fat, 42 g of carbs, and 22 g of sugar. Because the real driver of fats and sugar is in the crust, a healthier indulgence would be to bake an apple crumble. Just be sure to use a low-sugar recipe.
Pumpkin Cream Pie
The belly buster: Sugar, carbohydrates
Pumpkin sweets are the trend at parties and celebrations this season, and while pumpkin puree is nutritious, its pluses are outweighed by other unhealthy ingredients when cream and pie crust are involved. One slice contains 24 g of fat (14 g of saturated), 80 mg of cholesterol, 31 g of carbs, and 19 g of sugar.
Pumpkin sweets are the trend at parties and celebrations this season, and while pumpkin puree is nutritious, its pluses are outweighed by other unhealthy ingredients when cream and pie crust are involved. One slice contains 24 g of fat (14 g of saturated), 80 mg of cholesterol, 31 g of carbs, and 19 g of sugar.
Candy Corn
The belly buster: Sugar
Stay out of your kids’ Halloween baskets and the office candy jar. This ubiquitous October treat is actually just pure sugar. Twenty pieces contain 38 g of carbs and 33 g of sugar.
Stay out of your kids’ Halloween baskets and the office candy jar. This ubiquitous October treat is actually just pure sugar. Twenty pieces contain 38 g of carbs and 33 g of sugar.
Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cup
The belly buster: Sugar, fat
If your kids get these in their trick-or-treat bags, toss the mini cups to avoid temptation, says Reames. They might be small, but 11 pieces have 12 g of fat (6 g saturated), 23 g of carbs, and 21 g of sugar. You’re better off choosing one of these Halloween candies.
If your kids get these in their trick-or-treat bags, toss the mini cups to avoid temptation, says Reames. They might be small, but 11 pieces have 12 g of fat (6 g saturated), 23 g of carbs, and 21 g of sugar. You’re better off choosing one of these Halloween candies.
Caramel Apple
The belly buster: Sugar
One caramel apple typically contains 360 calories, with 6 g of fat (5 g saturated), 79 g of carbs, and 43 g of sugar. “The only saving grace is that the apple itself has 6 g of fiber, but that is not enough fiber to blunt the insulin response here,” says Reames.
One caramel apple typically contains 360 calories, with 6 g of fat (5 g saturated), 79 g of carbs, and 43 g of sugar. “The only saving grace is that the apple itself has 6 g of fiber, but that is not enough fiber to blunt the insulin response here,” says Reames.
Wingstop Ranch Dip
The belly buster: Sodium, calories
It’s tempting to break open a can of dip and a bag of chips when your favorite football team is on TV, but one serving of dip (6 1/2 tablespoons) can pack 355 calories, 36 g of fat, and 806 mg of sodium. “So after two helpings of this I’ve exceeded my recommended daily sodium intake from ranch dip alone. This doesn’t take into account the salty chips I’ve had with it,” says Reames.
It’s tempting to break open a can of dip and a bag of chips when your favorite football team is on TV, but one serving of dip (6 1/2 tablespoons) can pack 355 calories, 36 g of fat, and 806 mg of sodium. “So after two helpings of this I’ve exceeded my recommended daily sodium intake from ranch dip alone. This doesn’t take into account the salty chips I’ve had with it,” says Reames.
Chicken Pot Pie
The belly buster: Saturated fat, sodium
When the weather gets chilly, we typically turn to comfort foods like chicken pot pie. But beware, one pie from the grocery freezer case may contain more than 1,000 calories, like this one from Marie Callender. It has 1,440 mg of sodium and a belly-expanding 64 g of fat, 24 g of which are saturated.
When the weather gets chilly, we typically turn to comfort foods like chicken pot pie. But beware, one pie from the grocery freezer case may contain more than 1,000 calories, like this one from Marie Callender. It has 1,440 mg of sodium and a belly-expanding 64 g of fat, 24 g of which are saturated.
Lasagna
The belly buster: Sodium, calories
A typical serving of this classic comfort food made with meat and cheese can pack almost 700 calories, 22 g of fat, 13 g of sugar, and more than 1,850 mg of sodium, according to Reames. “You’re way over your day’s recommendations for sodium in one serving. Add a slice of garlic bread and you could be into your second day, all in one meal,” he said.
A typical serving of this classic comfort food made with meat and cheese can pack almost 700 calories, 22 g of fat, 13 g of sugar, and more than 1,850 mg of sodium, according to Reames. “You’re way over your day’s recommendations for sodium in one serving. Add a slice of garlic bread and you could be into your second day, all in one meal,” he said.
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