These are 25 Delicious Yet Calorically Malicious Foods
It’s not always easy to spot them because there are some foods that house excess calories you can’t see with the naked eye. You might love them, but you won’t love how fattening they are. Fair warning: Eat these 25 foods with caution to avoid going up in size.
Pecans
These nuts are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, which can be good for you—in moderation. For 100 grams, you get a whopping 740 calories. Needless to say, a small handful is more than enough.
Avocado
Although avocados are full of heart-healthy fats and in no way are unhealthy for you, they do contain a whopping number of calories if you aren’t eating them in moderation. One whole avocado has about 322 calories, give or take the size. So go easy on the guacamole the next time you make some!
Red Wine
Who can resist a glass (or two) of red wine every now and then? As long as you consume it wisely, it’s a very healthy source of antioxidants and can even prevent weight gain! Just keep in mind that a 5-oz serving contains about 130 calories, which can add up fast if you keep the wine flowing.
Shredded Coconut
It makes for a succulent addition to cakes or sprinkled on yogurt for added sweetness. Don’t be fooled by its featherweight appearance, however. 100 grams contains 680 calories, so take a spoonful, and put it away.
Breadsticks
These are often offered at Italian restaurants—a little snack to tide you over until the main meal. Doesn’t sound so little when you know they carry about 430 calories per 100 grams. Take it easy, you’ve got to save room for the tiramisu!
Wheat Germ
You might enjoy adding these to your salads to bulk up the fiber count, but keep an eye on the serving size. 100 grams gives you 380 calories. Better to add raw vegetables to up your dose of fiber instead.
70% Cacao Dark Chocolate
Everyone thinks white chocolate is the most calorie-dense in the family. Sorry to disappoint, but it’s dark chocolate with 70% cacao or more that carries the most caloric weight, thanks (or no thanks) to the cacao butter it contains. Still, milk chocolate and white chocolate aren’t far behind. Count about 560 calories for every 100 grams. Or just have two squares, and you’ll be safe!
Popcorn
Popcorn and movies are like bread and butter. Add to that a cozy seat, and you’ve got everything you need for pure relaxation. But make sure your eyes aren’t bigger than your stomach, and go for the small. 100 grams of movie theater popcorn will set you back 440 calories (and probably a pretty penny as well).
Palmier Cookies
These palm-shaped cookies are lovable little gems, especially straight out of the oven. They have a delicate, caramelized flavor and satisfying crunch that’s to die for. But they’re too good to be true: 520 calories for every 100 grams. In other words, tread lightly because they’re also difficult to digest.
Dried Fruits
Dried apricots, prunes, cranberries, etc. are fantastic additions to yogurt, desserts, oatmeal and other recipes. The only downside is their high sugar content, which leads to a devastating 500 calories for every 100 grams.
Blue Cheese
This cheese might have tons of character, but it’ll weigh down your diet scheme. It carries about 375 calories per every 100 grams.
Sushi
Sushi is often touted as a “healthy” restaurant food, and a lot of it can be! On the other hand, it can also be a calorie bomb meal, depending on what you order. One salmon avocado California roll has about 300 calories, so if you’re going for that, pair it with something like sashimi to cut down on the rice. Also avoid the overly fancy rolls with tons of extra ingredients, which are fun to eat but not so fun when you realize how many calories they have.
Muesli
You might think you’re being “good” by choosing muesli over sugary cereal varieties in the morning, but be sure to always check the nutrition label! Some bowls are packed with sugar and fats (from dried fruits and granola). 100 grams gets you to almost 400 calories, and that’s not including milk.
Sesame Seeds
Are you a fan of Asian cuisine? Stick to steamed dishes over fried, and don’t overdo it on the sesame seeds. They might add a tasty crunch to your recipes, but they pack a calorie punch as well with about 645 calories for every 100 grams.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is good for you, generally speaking. It’s most widely used in curries, desserts and soups, among other things and is great for adding a creamy, naturally sweet dimension to your dishes. Just be aware that it has 230 calories for every 100 grams, so don’t go overboard.
Chewing Gum
It’s certainly tempting to pop a piece of gum after all your meals or coffee breaks, but you might rethink the habit and opt for Tic Tacs instead. For every 100 grams of chewing gum, you absorb 374 calories. Not only that, but chewing gum also causes you to take in more air, which can lead to stomach bloating.
Nougat
Love to munch on this nutty little treat for an afternoon pick-me-up or late-night dessert? It certainly covers your sticky, sweet needs. But it loses some of its charm with 450 calories per 100 grams.
Gelatin
If you use this ingredient to thicken up sauces or hold cakes together, just be sure to stick with the recommended doses because there are 350 calories hiding in every 100 grams of those virtuous-looking sheets.
Belgian Waffles
Fluffy and light they might be, but calorie-free they are not! Given that these rarely come plain (and more often with sugary jams, syrups and whipped cream), you might stop at just one, which already puts you at 450 calories.
Gummy Candies
Who hasn’t gone a little candy crazy as a kid? Bless that high-speed metabolism. Now that we’re older, it’s shifted into slow gear, which means slowing down on the sweets as well. They might be little, but they’re calorie-rich with about 435 calories per 100 grams of certain varieties. So go ahead and treat yourself (in moderation).
Coriander Seeds
Coriander (cilantro) is omnipresent in Asian cuisine and can be the perfect aromatic low-calorie addition—that is if you choose the leaves over the seeds, which carry about 350 calories for every 100 grams.
