Everyone knows that if you are trying to lose weight, it probably isn’t the best idea to include cake, ice cream, or flavored coffees as regular staples in your diet. Some may say these foods are “bad”, high in fat, sugar, and calories…but just how “bad” are they? Let’s take a look at a few common examples…

Cake example: The Cheesecake Factory Chris’ Outrageous Chocolate Cake
A description including “layers of moist chocolate cake, chewy brownie, toasted coconut pecan filling, and creamy chocolate chip coconut cheesecake” sounds very tempting to my taste buds, how about yours? I’m not one to normally pass up a good piece of cake…BUT, at 1380 calories, 32 teaspoons of sugar, 33 grams of saturated fat and 5 grams of trans fat…I might have to forego this delectable slice of coma inducing pleasure, in exchange for being able to button up my jeans the next day!

Ice Cream example: Cold Stone Creamery’s Gotta Have it Founder’s Favorite
If you are trying to GAIN weight, I highly recommend making this your favorite ice cream too. Founder’s Favorite has 12 ounces of ice cream (that’s an actual 3 servings in case you were wondering!), pecans, brownie pieces, fudge, and caramel. Sound good? Sure…if you need an extra 1600 calories and 42 grams of saturated fat around your midsection!

Flavored Coffee example: Starbucks Venti (20 oz.) Caffè Mocha

This isnt just your average cup of jo. The Venti Caffè Mocha packs an amazing 410 calories (that can easily be an entire meal’s worth of calories), 42 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, and is topped off with a nice big cloud of whipped cream.

Now, before the cake, ice cream, and flavored coffee police come after me, I do have suggestions for those of you who just can’t live without your favorite treats.

1. Take human bites! Chew your food and enjoy what you are consuming. Shoveling it all in will lead to overeating and can also incur a not so pleasant stomach ache.

2. Order the ’short’ (if you’re at Starbuck’s), small, or regular serving size of whatever it is you are about to eat. In today’s world of “would you like to super-size that for only 25 cents more”– the last thing we need is a super-sized waistline. Save the quarter, get the smaller serving size, and save your life!

3. Expose your tongue to new flavors, textures, and fiber! Believe it or not, you can actually develop a craving for fruits and veggies. Fruits and veggies tend to be higher in fiber which will also make you feel content and full. Full is good, fat is not – eat your fruits and veggies!

What are some of your favorite “not so good for you” foods? Post your answers in the comments section below and we’ll try our best to give alternatives, or solutions so that you CAN “have your cake and eat it too!”