Rhiannon said: “Sweets are another big one.
“More so than chocolate, because at least with chocolate there is some other, small benefit.
“Sweets on the other hand are just refined sugar, nothing else.
“All you are consuming is calories, nothing else of any benefit – unless you’re about to run a marathon.”
While it’s better than gorging on a bag of lollies, that doesn’t give you a green light to stuff your face with chocolate.
Especially the typical offerings in most vending machines.
When it comes to chocolate, it’s all about the cocoa content, and it means the darker your chocolate the better.
“Eating dark chocolate is better, at least it has extra nutrients, including flavonoids,” Rhiannon explained.
Cocoa beans are good sources of flavonoids, which are antioxidants, which can help fight disease.
So if you’re a sucker for a KitKat it might be time to switch to the dark choc version!
5. SAY BYE TO THE PIE
It might be an easy option when you’re grabbing your morning coffee, but that tasty pastry is on the list!
Along with pies and the humble pasty, croissants, cinnamon swirls, and an apple turnover are all full of empty calories.
“Highly processed foods, those full of refined sugars like pies, pastries and shop-bought deserts, are all offenders.
“They are empty calories in my eyes, and you shouldn’t have too much in your diet.
“Sugar is added to everything, it is even in ready meals like chicken pies, why do you need added sugar in chicken pie?
“It’s not good to get the majority of your calories from cakes, biscuits, or ice cream.
“It’s better to eat homemade biscuits with a little less sugar, or make them using simple swaps like including more oats.
“Little tiny switches like that can really help.”
6. LOSE THE JUICE
Another danger food when it comes to empty calories is sweetened fruit juices.
By this we don’t mean fruit juice – that’s full of extra nutrition, vitamins, minerals and fibre (if it’s got bits in it).
“Why add more sugar to already sweet juice?” she said.
“Regular fruit juice is different because there’s no added sugar, and it contains other useful nutrients.”
Source: https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/the-six-empty-calorie-foods-you-should-avoid-if-yo/3304661/