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4 Taco Bell Foods I Stopped Eating to Drop 160 Pounds, and 6 to Order Instead

You can eat fast food while still losing weight.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

amber_c_fitness_taco_bell
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Just because you want to lose weight, doesn’t mean you need to stop eating fast food altogether. Amber Clemens (@amber_c_fitness) is a weight loss warrior and influencer on TikTok who lost a whopping 160 pounds by changing her approach to diet and fitness. In some of her most popular videos she reveals changes that she made to her fast food orders that helped her drop so much weight. Here is what she will and won’t order.


Amber Used to Order at Taco Bell Every Day

London, UK - March 5 2022: Taco Bell Mexican takeaway branch in Fulham Broadway, West LondonShutterstock

“I remember my exact Taco Bell order because I used to get it pretty much every single day,” she says in the video. She reveals “that one meal” was a whopping 2,390 calories – more than she eats in a day now.

What Not to Order: Quesaritos

taco_bell_QuesaritosTaco Bell España/Facebook

The first two items on her order? “I would get two Quesaritos. Yes, two,” she says. “Each for 650 calories a piece.” The item, no longer on the menu, was a quesadilla-burrito with a quesadilla rolled and filled with seasoned beef, creamy chipotle sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, nacho cheese sauce, and seasoned rice.

What Not to Order: Chalupa Supreme

taco_bell_Chalupa_SupremeTaco Bell/Facebook

Her next item? “One Chalupa Supreme for 360 calories,” she says. According to Taco Bell, the item consists of a traditional flatbread with seasoned beef, a three-cheese blend, lettuce, tomatoes, and reduced fat sour cream that is deep fried like a funnel cake.

RELATED:Lose 20 Pounds in 90 Days with the Mediterranean Diet

What Not to Order: Two Soft Shell Tacos

Soft_Shell_Tacos_taco_bellTaco Bell

She also ordered “two soft shell tacos for 370 calories,” she says. Soft shell tacos generally consist of a tortilla with ground beef, cheese, and any other fixings.

What Not to Order: Dr. Pepper

A,Cool,Glass,Of,Cola,Drink,Ice,,Bubbles,coke,pepsi,sugarShutterstock

In most of Amber’s videos, she highlights how you can easily drink your calories. At Taco Bell, she would order a large Dr Pepper for 360 calories.

What to Order Instead: Two Chicken Soft Taco Supremes

Chicken_soft_Taco_Supreme_taco_bellTaco Bell

Now, instead of beef, she gets two Chicken soft Taco Supremes. She claims that these total 370 calories.

What to Order Instead: Side of Chips and Cheese

taco_bell_Chips_and_cheeseTaco Bell

She also gets a side of chips and cheese, which offers some crunch. This adds just 220 calories, bringing her total to 590 calories.

What to Order Instead: Chicken Power Bowl

Taco,Bell,Restaurant,fast, food, junk, Mexican,Shutterstock

“Or I get the chicken power bowl for 40,” she says about the protein-packed meal. “You can have fast food in moderation.”

What to Order Instead: Black Bean Chalupa Supreme

taco_bell_Black_Bean_Chalupa_SupremeTaco Bell

In another video, Jaclyn London, RD (@jaclynlondonrd) reveals three more items she recommends as a registered dietician. The first? Black Bean Chalupa Supreme. “It is naturally vegetarian, which makes it amazing if you're looking for a meatless option, but you're still getting tons of protein from those black beans,” she says. “I got rid of the sour cream 'cause I feel like it's kind of a waste of time, but I added back real cheese and white hot ranch.” The total calories? 380.

RELATED:15 Walking Routines to Lose 30 Pounds in 90 Days

What to Order Instead: Crunchy Taco

Crunchy_taco_bellTaco Bell

She also likes the crunchy tacos, “made from a whole grain corn,” she says, noting that the Chalupa, burrito, and quesadilla “all have enriched grains as their first ingredient,” she says. “Whole grain is always a great option. More nutritious and also gonna give you that crunch that, I mean, who doesn't go to Taco Bell for the crunch?” She notes that she “got rid of the seasoned beef and traded up for chicken, beans, guac, cheese, all real whole food ingredients and so delicious, filled with flavor. Always spicy for me.” The total? 300 calories.

What to Order Instead: Crunchwrap Supreme

Crunchwrap_Supreme_taco_bellTaco Bell

“I mean, as if you didn't love Taco Bell oh-so-much already, you can actually trade out the ground beef in the Crunchwrap Supreme and trade up for the steak. I mean, if that's not a luxury lunch, I don't know what it is. I added real whole food ingredients like guac, black beans, cheese, and all the veg,” she says about the 550-calorie meal. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

@amber_c_fitness

I can’t believe it’s been a year since this series started! But here’s what I used to order at Taco Bell vs What I order now. #onthisday #healthyfastfood #highproteinfastfood #lowcaloriefastfood #tacobell #weightloss #weightlossmotivation #weightlossfood

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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Just because you want to lose weight, doesn’t mean you need to stop eating fast food altogether. Amber Clemens (@amber_c_fitness) is a weight loss warrior and influencer on TikTok who lost a whopping 160 pounds by changing her approach to diet and fitness. In some of her most popular videos she reveals changes that she made to her fast food orders that helped her drop so much weight. Here is what she will and won’t order.


Amber Used to Order at Taco Bell Every Day

London, UK - March 5 2022: Taco Bell Mexican takeaway branch in Fulham Broadway, West LondonShutterstock

“I remember my exact Taco Bell order because I used to get it pretty much every single day,” she says in the video. She reveals “that one meal” was a whopping 2,390 calories – more than she eats in a day now.

What Not to Order: Quesaritos

taco_bell_QuesaritosTaco Bell España/Facebook

The first two items on her order? “I would get two Quesaritos. Yes, two,” she says. “Each for 650 calories a piece.” The item, no longer on the menu, was a quesadilla-burrito with a quesadilla rolled and filled with seasoned beef, creamy chipotle sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, nacho cheese sauce, and seasoned rice.

What Not to Order: Chalupa Supreme

taco_bell_Chalupa_SupremeTaco Bell/Facebook

Her next item? “One Chalupa Supreme for 360 calories,” she says. According to Taco Bell, the item consists of a traditional flatbread with seasoned beef, a three-cheese blend, lettuce, tomatoes, and reduced fat sour cream that is deep fried like a funnel cake.

RELATED:Lose 20 Pounds in 90 Days with the Mediterranean Diet

What Not to Order: Two Soft Shell Tacos

Soft_Shell_Tacos_taco_bellTaco Bell

She also ordered “two soft shell tacos for 370 calories,” she says. Soft shell tacos generally consist of a tortilla with ground beef, cheese, and any other fixings.

What Not to Order: Dr. Pepper

A,Cool,Glass,Of,Cola,Drink,Ice,,Bubbles,coke,pepsi,sugarShutterstock

In most of Amber’s videos, she highlights how you can easily drink your calories. At Taco Bell, she would order a large Dr Pepper for 360 calories.

What to Order Instead: Two Chicken Soft Taco Supremes

Chicken_soft_Taco_Supreme_taco_bellTaco Bell

Now, instead of beef, she gets two Chicken soft Taco Supremes. She claims that these total 370 calories.

What to Order Instead: Side of Chips and Cheese

taco_bell_Chips_and_cheeseTaco Bell

She also gets a side of chips and cheese, which offers some crunch. This adds just 220 calories, bringing her total to 590 calories.

What to Order Instead: Chicken Power Bowl

Taco,Bell,Restaurant,fast, food, junk, Mexican,Shutterstock

“Or I get the chicken power bowl for 40,” she says about the protein-packed meal. “You can have fast food in moderation.”

What to Order Instead: Black Bean Chalupa Supreme

taco_bell_Black_Bean_Chalupa_SupremeTaco Bell

In another video, Jaclyn London, RD (@jaclynlondonrd) reveals three more items she recommends as a registered dietician. The first? Black Bean Chalupa Supreme. “It is naturally vegetarian, which makes it amazing if you're looking for a meatless option, but you're still getting tons of protein from those black beans,” she says. “I got rid of the sour cream 'cause I feel like it's kind of a waste of time, but I added back real cheese and white hot ranch.” The total calories? 380.

RELATED:15 Walking Routines to Lose 30 Pounds in 90 Days

What to Order Instead: Crunchy Taco

Crunchy_taco_bellTaco Bell

She also likes the crunchy tacos, “made from a whole grain corn,” she says, noting that the Chalupa, burrito, and quesadilla “all have enriched grains as their first ingredient,” she says. “Whole grain is always a great option. More nutritious and also gonna give you that crunch that, I mean, who doesn't go to Taco Bell for the crunch?” She notes that she “got rid of the seasoned beef and traded up for chicken, beans, guac, cheese, all real whole food ingredients and so delicious, filled with flavor. Always spicy for me.” The total? 300 calories.

What to Order Instead: Crunchwrap Supreme

Crunchwrap_Supreme_taco_bellTaco Bell

“I mean, as if you didn't love Taco Bell oh-so-much already, you can actually trade out the ground beef in the Crunchwrap Supreme and trade up for the steak. I mean, if that's not a luxury lunch, I don't know what it is. I added real whole food ingredients like guac, black beans, cheese, and all the veg,” she says about the 550-calorie meal. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

@amber_c_fitness

I can’t believe it’s been a year since this series started! But here’s what I used to order at Taco Bell vs What I order now. #onthisday #healthyfastfood #highproteinfastfood #lowcaloriefastfood #tacobell #weightloss #weightlossmotivation #weightlossfood

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Katie Dunlop, a fitness influencer and certified personal trainer, transformed her body and her life by shedding 45 pounds and getting rid of stubborn stomach fat. In a recent YouTube video, Katie shared the key dietary changes that helped her reach her goals. She revealed that her weight loss success wasn’t just about exercise; it involved being more mindful of her food choices and cutting out certain items that were sneaking extra calories and sugar into her daily routine.


Through consistency, dedication, and small, sustainable changes, Katie not only achieved her weight loss goals but also became an inspiration to thousands of others. By cutting out these six specific foods, which she once thought were healthy or harmless, Katie finally saw the results she wanted. Here's a look at the six foods she eliminated and how these small shifts made a big difference.

I Ditched Sugary Coffee Creamers

"I was a huge international delight girl, and this is not just to hate on this brand; it's just that it was my brand. I did international delight, French vanilla coffee creamer in my coffee every day," she says in the video. "So that was an excess of 20 to 25 grams of sugar first thing in the morning before 7:00 AM. I'm like, let's just get a little cup of sugar in here, and 24 grams of sugar is the daily recommended amount of added sugar."

I Cut Out Fiber and Protein Bars

"So I used to eat fiber bars or protein bars every single day. I would use them as meal replacements, thinking that they were healthy, but that wasn't the case," she says in the video.

"The problem with most of these bars is they have so many unnecessary added ingredients. So ideally, I try to keep my bars to 10 grams of protein or more, six grams of sugar or less, and it's hard to find any bars that have that, that also don't have just a bunch of chemicals in the ingredient list or fake sugars and stuff."

I Stopped My Nightly Frozen Yogurt Habit

"In college, we had a yogurt land down the street from us, and this is when frozen yogurt was it. And so we went a couple of times, and then we just kept going and kept going. We ended up going almost every single night we could walk to it," she says in the video.

"Well, in a small, like a cup serving of most of those frozen yogurts, they have 25 grams of sugar. And then on top of it, I felt like it was a gateway drug. I don't know how to describe it. Then you're like, oh, a little gram cracker, a little granola, that's healthy. Oh, a little coconut spread. You just start adding and adding, and all of a sudden, you have 500 extra calories a day that I didn't need."

I Gave Up the Special K Diet

"Does anyone remember the Special K diet? Anyone? Am I dating myself? Okay, so you know the Special K cereal, the brand cereal, they've removed all of this from their website. I went digging, I could find nothing. It was a real thing though," she says in the video.

"It was basically the idea that you were to swap two meals a day with Special K cereal, and they claim that you could lose six pounds and a pant size in two weeks."

RELATED:I Lost 70 Pounds and Beat Binge Eating With These 6 Steps

I Stopped Snacking on Veggie Chips

"I was duped into thinking that veggie chips were so much healthier than potato chips or the hint of lime toss. I was obsessed with it. They were veggies, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. It took me so long to realize that they were not at all healthier," she says in the video.

"The whole process that they have to go through in order to make them into chips basically just takes most of the nutrients out of them. And you are left with just a vegetable-colored shaped potato chip."

I Stopped Eating After 9 PM

"I had to stop eating after 9:00 PM, and let's just say there's not a magical time. So don't think, oh my gosh, 9:00 PM said I stopped eating at seven. This is not a problem for me. It may still be 9:00 PM, which was my time," she says in the video.

"The reason why I had to give myself a time at night to stop eating was because I would just keep going. Those cravings would hit me mentally or physically, and I didn't really know how to control them. The bottom line was I wasn't making healthy choices after 9:00 PM."

RELATED:Top 10 Leafy Greens to Burn Fat You Should Eat Every Day

The Power of Small Changes

"When I did that, those hundreds of excess calories were cut from my diet when I cut out the creamers with all the sugars and fake stuff. When I stopped eating all these fiber bars and cereals and all these little things that I thought were healthy, I actually started getting results," she says in the video.

"Yes, I was moving my body, but I wasn't doing anything crazy. You guys know I started 10 minutes a day and I moved up to, I do 30 to 45 minutes a day now. But it's those little tiny things that add up."

By making these changes and being mindful of her food choices, Katie was able to lose 45 pounds and transform her body. Her story highlights the importance of identifying and eliminating hidden sources of excess calories and sugar in our diets. And if you enjoyed this, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

weight loss, drinking, water, hydrate, main image, diet, couple, bathroom scales
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We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Are you trying to lose weight, but aren’t sure what to ditch from your diet? Stanley Bronstein is an author and weight loss expert who lost 220 pounds. The self-proclaimed “Been There, Done That, Weight-Loss Expert, who is launching the Million Pound Weight Loss Challenge on June 1, 2025, recently sat down with Body Network and revealed his top tips, including 5 simple food swaps he made to lose 30 pounds.

I Swapped Diet Soda For Water

Middle age man drinking glass of water sitting on sofa at homeShutterstock

“When I first started my weight loss journey, one of the very first things I did was stop drinking sodas. Picture this – I was drinking three big bottles (2 liters each) of Diet, Caffeine Free soda.

I knew from reading many studies that diet soda was supposed to be just as bad (if not worse) than regular soda. So I quit drinking it and started drinking water instead. That was 16 years (and 175 pounds ago – I was 320 pounds at the time). If you go back to 1990, I was even larger (367 pounds). I haven’t had a soda since. It took a while to get used to the change, but now I don’t miss them at all,” he says.

I Swapped White Rice For Brown Rice and Other Grains

Natural,White,And,Brown,Long,Rice,In,Wood,Spoons.​Refined Grains to Whole GrainsShutterstock

“Brown rice, which contains more nutrients and fiber, is a healthier choice for most people. Even better than brown rice are other grains, such as farro and barley. Barley has a glycemic index of only 28, which is one of the lowest among all grains. Farro has a glycemic index of only 45. Contrast this with a glycemic index of 73. The lower the glycemic index, the less your likelihood of Type II diabetes,” he reveals.

I Swapped Regular Milk For Almond Milk or Soy Milk

Almond milk in glass bottle and jug on beige background. Close up. Healthy vegan eating. Lack of cholesterol.Almond Milk ​Shutterstock

“Midway through my weight loss journey, I concluded, after reading many studies, that I needed to eliminate dairy from my diet. Be aware that while almond milk tastes great, it doesn’t have nearly the same amount of protein as either whole milk or soy milk. That’s why I prefer soy milk. It has slightly more protein than regular milk and roughly 7 times the protein of almond milk. Make sure you buy the unsweetened varieties of almond milk and soy milk. Any time you buy a flavored non-dairy milk, it will have lots of added sugar, and that’s not good (in my opinion),” he maintains.

I Swapped Ice Cream For Nice Cream

Ice cream in a paper cup. Sweets and weekend walks.​Protein Ice CreamShutterstock

“You may ask, what’s Nice Cream? All you need to do is take a bunch of ripe bananas and put them in the freezer for about an hour. Don’t let them get frozen solid. Then take them out and throw them in the blender or food processor. Viola. You have banana-flavored ice cream that tastes delicious. While it still tastes sweet, all the sugars in nice cream are natural, as opposed to the refined sugars typically found in ice cream,” he says.

I Swapped Unsalted Raw Nuts For Roasted/Salted Ones

A variety of nuts in wooden bowls.​NutsShutterstock

“I’ll be the first to admit that roasted/salted nuts are delicious. No doubt about it. But did you know that most roasted nuts are roasted in some type of oil, such as peanut oil? That adds unnecessary fat to the mix. Plus, it’s even worse if they add salt to the mix. You might say raw, unsalted nuts don’t taste as good. Well, here’s a little trick. Lay them out on a baking pan and roast in the oven at 350 degrees until they start to turn brown (or use an air fryer if you have one). Then take them out and let them cool for about an hour. Roasting brings out the natural oils in the nuts, and they’re fantastic. But don’t eat too many, as they can be addictive,” he says. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.

Katie Dunlop Love Sweat Fitness lovesweatfitness
She Lost 45 Pounds and Kept it Off With These 4 Quick High-Protein Meals
Copyright lovesweatfitness/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Most of us have tried multiple approaches to lose weight, only to find ourselves stuck in an endless cycle of disappointing results. Fitness trainer Katie Dunlop founded Love Sweat Fitness after losing 45 pounds herself through sustainable changes. With over a million social media followers, she shares workouts and nutrition advice based on her transformation from 165 to 128 pounds. Discover the everyday foods she eliminated that were secretly sabotaging her weight loss goals.

Coffee Creamer: Hidden Sugar Bomb

That morning coffee might be derailing your diet before the day even begins. "I used to add four or five tablespoons of French vanilla coffee creamer every single day," Katie admits in her post. "That's about 25 to 30 grams of added sugar—not a healthy way to start my day." She eventually switched to natural zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit, avoiding artificial options that gave her headaches. "I was a big Splenda girl, the Sucralose. That was what was in the creamers though, and I was getting headaches all the time," Katie explains. She gradually transitioned to healthier alternatives by cutting back quantity first, then experimenting with different options.

Cereal: Not a Healthy Meal Replacement

That colorful box in your pantry isn't doing your waistline any favors. "I used to snack on cereal all the time thinking it was a healthy option, but most cereals out there are nothing but carbs and added sugars," Katie shares. Her former favorite, Special K Vanilla Almond, lists sugar as its second ingredient with 11 grams per serving. "They still market it as healthy. They still put 'protein' on the label like that makes it magically better," she points out. Katie warns that excess carbs and sugars that aren't used for energy get stored as fat, advising to look for cereals with at least 10 grams of protein and less than 6 grams of sugar.

The Special K Diet Trap

Fad diets often promise quick results but deliver long-term disappointment. "Does anyone remember the Special K diet? They've removed all of this from their website," Katie recalls. "It was basically the idea that you were to swap two meals a day with Special K cereal, claiming you could lose six pounds and a pant size in two weeks." She discovered this approach only led to yo-yo dieting patterns. "I'd go so restrictive, I'd see some results and be like 'oh my gosh, well my two weeks are over, now I just go back to my normal eating.' Nothing about it was good," Katie emphasizes.

Protein and Fiber Bars: Processed Problems

Those convenient snack bars aren't the nutritional powerhouses their packaging suggests. "I used to eat fiber bars or protein bars every single day as meal replacements thinking that was healthy," Katie explains. She discovered these bars often contain unnecessary additives, sugar alcohols causing digestive issues, and ingredients that triggered more sweet cravings. "I wasn't losing weight because I was craving more sweets, craving more sugars. I wasn't getting enough protein, or I was getting protein but my body wasn't breaking it down in the right way," she notes. Katie also shares an embarrassing moment when excessive fiber consumption left her uncomfortably bloated during an important work meeting.

Veggie Chips: Colorful Imposters

Don't be fooled by the word "veggie" on the package. "I was duped into thinking veggie chips were so much healthier than potato chips," Katie confesses. "Wrong, wrong, wrong. It took me so long to realize that they were not at all healthier." The processing removes most nutrients, leaving essentially a vegetable-colored potato chip with similar calories, fat, and carbs. "Your girl would eat these. Sprouts had this plastic tub of these veggie chips and they were so good and lightly salted, and I would just nosh on those all day thinking I was kind of eating vegetables," she admits with regret.

Portion Control Challenges

Sometimes the problem isn't just what you eat but how much. "The biggest thing I did for myself was really cut myself off so I stopped craving those," Katie shares about her chip addiction. She implemented strict portion control after initially going "cold turkey" to reset her cravings. "A single portion of most chips is only like 15 chips. Again, who only eats 15 chips? But that's a healthy portion of them," she explains. Katie had to deliberately portion out servings to enjoy treats without going overboard.

Frozen Yogurt: The Dessert Trap

That "healthy" dessert alternative might be sabotaging your progress. "In college, we had a yogurt place down the street and we ended up going almost every single night because we could walk to it," Katie remembers. What seemed like a better choice than ice cream actually contained around 25 grams of sugar per serving—before toppings. "I felt like it was a gateway drug. I don't know how to describe it. Then you're like 'oh a little graham cracker, a little granola that's healthy, oh a little coconut spread.' You just start adding and adding, and all of a sudden you have 500 extra calories a day that I didn't need," she confesses. Katie now opts for plain Greek yogurt with a natural sweetener when cravings hit.

Late Night Snacking: The Mindless Calories

Setting a cutoff time for eating can make a dramatic difference. "I stopped eating after 9 p.m. Not because there's a magical number when you should stop eating to lose weight, but I realized I wasn't eating anything good for me after that time," Katie explains. She established a two-hour buffer between her last bite and bedtime, helping eliminate hundreds of excess calories each week. "The reason why I had to give myself a time at night to stop eating was because I would just keep going. Those cravings would hit mentally or physically and I didn't really know how to control it," she admits. Katie found increasing protein throughout the day helped control evening hunger.

Finding Healthier Alternatives

Substituting better options for your favorite foods can make a sustainable difference. "Now if I have those sweet cravings at night instead of doing frozen yogurt I like to do just some plain Greek yogurt. Add a scoop of like either my wing woman or Miss Congeniality or you could use a little maple syrup or something to sweeten it up," Katie suggests. She emphasizes the importance of protein: "Adding protein also is going to help because that's going to actually make you feel full. And the more protein you have the more muscle you build and the more fat you're able to burn."

Managing Sugar Cravings

Eliminating excessive sugar can transform your results. "I used to be way more of a sweets girl. I would have crazy cravings like every single night," Katie reveals. She discovered many "healthy" alternatives weren't actually better nutritionally. "In my head I just kept justifying that it was healthy, it was a healthy dessert. There was nothing healthy about it. And I wasn't losing any weight. In fact I was gaining weight," she shares candidly. Katie recommends keeping busy during typical craving times: "I just had to keep myself really busy. So when I was used to going and grabbing snacks after 9 p.m., I just like, nope, I'm going to pick up a book, I'm going to do 20 crunches."

Small Changes, Big Results

Sustainable weight loss comes from identifying your personal food pitfalls. "When I cut out the creamers with all the sugars and fake stuff, when I stopped eating all these fiber bars and cereals and all these little things I thought were healthy, I actually started getting results," Katie shares. She emphasizes that even with modest exercise—starting with just 10 minutes daily—these dietary changes made the critical difference. "Yes, I was moving my body, but I wasn't doing anything crazy. It's those little tiny things that add up," Katie encourages. "You know your lifestyle, you know what makes sense for you. But if you're doing any of these six, it's time to start cutting them out." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Judy Nelson fitnessbyjudy
Copyright fitnessbyjudy/Instagram/Shutterstock
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you rely on fast food as part of your busy life, but have weight loss goals you want to meet? While losing weight, you can still eat at your favorite fast food restaurants, including Chick-fil-A and Chipotle. Judy Nelson is a trainer specializing in helping clients lose 10 pounds in 30 days. In a recent post, she reveals her go-to fast food orders for weight loss. “My top 4 fast food orders – All under 400 calories and packed with 30 grams of protein to help me tone up and stay on track,” she writes.

1. Chick-fil-A

Order: Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no bun) + Side Salad with Light Italian dressing

Calories: ~360

Protein: ~34g

Tip: “Ask for extra grilled chicken if you’re extra hungry—just watch the calorie bump,” she suggests.

2. Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Restaurant

Shutterstock

Order: Salad bowl with: Lettuce base, chicken, fajita veggies, tomato salsa, a light sprinkle of cheese (optional), no rice, no beans, no sour cream.

Calories: ~370

Protein: ~35g

Tip: “Ask for ‘light cheese’ or skip it to save calories. Double chicken is over 400 calories but is great post-workout,” she says.

RIVER FALLS,WISCONSIN-FEBRUARY 02,2014: Jimmy John's restaurant storefront. Jimmy John's has opened approximately 200 units per year over the last three years.

Order: Turkey Tom Unwich (lettuce wrap) + add extra turkey

Calories: ~350

Protein: ~30g

Tip: “Skip mayo; ask for mustard or oil & vinegar light. Load up on veggies for volume,” she suggests.

4. Taco Bell

Taco,Bell,Restaurant,fast, food, junk, Mexican,​Taco BellShutterstock

Order: Power Bowl (customized): No rice, no beans, extra grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, guac or cheese (pick one), no sour cream

Calories: ~390

Protein: ~32g

Tip: “Ask for ‘fresco style’ where possible—saves on creamy sauces and keeps it light,” she recommends.

Bonus: Here Is Her Peanut Butter Cup High Protein Smoothie

Banana and chocolate smoothie in the glass jar​Morning Routine: Starting Strong with ProteinShutterstock

In another recent post, she reveals her peanut butter cup high-protein smoothie. “Craving Reese’s but still hitting your protein goals? Try this smoothie,” she writes. “This smoothie tastes like dessert and packs a protein punch of 39g per serving.”

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 frozen banana (very important it’s cold)
  • 2 tbsp PB2
  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 1 tbsp natural Peanut butter
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (Native Fuel whey protein)
  • 4-5 ice cubes

Macros per serving: 39p/30c/18f with 8g fiber.

And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat

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20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Ozempic can be highly effective for weight loss, but there are definitely some unpleasant side effects to contend with, as the makers of the drug, Novo Nordisk, warn about. Nausea, constipation, and stomach pain are common, but avoiding certain foods and behaviors can make a difference. Here are 20 things to avoid while on Ozempic, to make the most of the medication and encourage healthy weight loss.

Too Much Sugar

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Added sugars, and sugary sodas, can spike blood sugar. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, recommends that people avoid sugary foods while on the drug. “If you are taking medication to lower your sugar levels, it is advisable to avoid excess sugar consumption,” Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, tells Parade. “Failure to watch what you eat and keep your sugar levels elevated may prevent you from seeing the intended results of the medication,” she shares.”

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Ultra-processed foods can make side effects of Ozempic worse. “This medication slows down gastric emptying and the dense food will move much slower through your intestines, which can make you feel sick [and experience] nausea, vomiting, reflux and abdominal pain,” says Dr. Peralta-Reich. “Someone may not see the results they're looking for either.”

High-Fat Foods

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Foods high in saturated and trans fats can make side effects of Ozempic worse. Some people complain of diarrhea and stomach pains. “I’ve seen an almost dumping syndrome-like response in people taking GLP-1s when they eat simple carbohydrates and high-fat foods,” Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, tells TODAY.

Sitting All Day

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Staying active is important while on Ozempic. Regular exercise is not only important for health, it can prevent muscle loss. The goal should be fat loss, and getting strong.

Not Hydrating

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Don’t forget to drink your water and stay hydrated. Drinking water can help with side effects of Ozempic, especially nausea. Ozempic.com recommends drinking clear or ice-cold drinks to combat any nausea and discomfort.

Too Much Alcohol

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Avoid alcohol on Ozempic, experts advice. “One, it’s just empty calories. Two, it tends to make people make decisions that they otherwise might not make,” says Dr. Levy. “It could increase hunger, and the whole point of GLP-1s, or at least one of the points, is to decrease hunger. So it sort of negates their purpose.”

Be Mindful of Portions

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Ozempic keeps food in the stomach longer, so bigger portions can cause discomfort. “Understanding that overall portions are smaller on these medications, we want to optimize nutritional intake and consume the ‘best’ calories available,” obesity medicine physician Dr. Christopher McGowan tells TODAY. “The focus should be on lean protein, healthy fruits and vegetables, adequate fiber and adequate fluid intake.”

Be Mindful of Coffee

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“Overall, coffee is perfectly fine to consume, but for some individuals can lead to stomach irritation,” says Dr. McGowan. “Therefore, I recommend drinking coffee in moderation, such as one to two cups a day. Patients should also be mindful of calorie-dense additives, like cream and sugar.”

Don’t Skip Meals

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It’s easy to skip meals when on Ozempic, but make sure you’re getting enough nutrition. Some people have even become malnourished as a result of not eating. “It’s never healthy to not eat,” Dr. Hwang said. Dr. Janice Jin Hwang, the division chief of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine tells the New York Times.

Don’t Consider It a Quick Fix

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Ozempic should be part of a long-term health plan. “It’s important to note that if you start taking either of these drugs for weight loss, your body may get used to it, establishing a new normal,” says UC Davis Health. This can cause your weight to plateau. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost.”

Same Unhealthy Lifestyle

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Don’t continue an unhealthy diet and assume it’s ok because of Ozempic. “You can likely lose weight on semaglutide medications without changing your diet and activity behaviors, but these lifestyle changes will make the treatment more effective,” Richard Siegel, MD, tells the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “Also, we don’t know if weight loss will have the same health benefits if one does not change their behaviors.”

Protect Your Health

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Some doctors warn that taking Ozempic can make people complacent about their health. “It is important to remember that obesity is heterogenous, chronic and complex,” Vijaya Surampudi, MD, physician nutrition specialist and assistant director of the UCLA Weight Management Program (RFO), tells UCLA Health. “There is no cure for obesity. It requires lifelong treatment that’s not one size fits all.”

Carbonated Beverages

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Ozempic slows down digestion, keeping food in your stomach for longer. This causes a feeling of fullness and some unpleasant side effects for some people like belching. Stick to still water as carbonated beverages can make stomach issues worse.

Long-Term Goals

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If you plan on only taking Ozempic or Wegovy for a short while, it’s likely your weight will come back on. “In one trial of Wegovy, people regained about two-thirds of the weight lost within a year of stopping the drug,” Dr. Siegel explains. “Lifestyle changes can help maintain weight loss, but it’s unusual to maintain all weight loss once you stop any weight loss medication.”

Refined Carbohydrates

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Refined carbohydrates tend to spike blood sugar, which is exactly what Ozempic is meant to treat. You don’t have to cut these foods out entirely, but be aware it makes it harder for Ozempic to do its job. “Foods like white bread, white rice, crackers, or even cereals may seem like better choices than foods with added sugar, but refined carbohydrates still metabolize as glucose in the body,” Christine Fallabel, MPH, tells Diabetes Strong.

Watch Out For High Fiber

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While many green vegetables are low GI, be careful about the fiber. “If you’re not used to eating a lot of vegetables, you may experience side effects such as bloating and gas, until your body has acclimated to eating a more fiber-filled diet,” Fallabel says.

Junk Food

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Junk food—which you should be avoiding either way for weight loss purposes—often contains high levels of sodium. “Ultra-processed foods are high in sodium, saturated fats and added sugars, which contribute to a range of health problems,” Elizabeth Ko, MD, and Eve Glazier, MD, tell UCLA Health. These include an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lowered immune response, certain cancers, dementia and early death.”

Spicy Foods

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Ozempic can cause acid reflux due to slow digestion. Spicy foods can make acid reflux worse, experts warn. However, if acid reflux is not an issue, people can probably enjoy spicy foods if they wish.

Always See a Medical Professional

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Ozempic should only be prescribed by a medical professional. “Typically, I prescribe Ozempic for diabetes and have more often prescribed Wegovy for weight loss,” endocrinologist Alyssa Dominguez, MD, tells Keck Medicine. “I have used Ozempic, sometimes, off-label for weight loss, though getting insurance approval for that can be challenging.”

Fried Foods

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Fried, greasy foods can make Ozempic stomach issues worse. “Foods high in fat can make digestive side effects worse. Since food hangs around longer in the stomach, it has more time to cause problems,” Sarah Bullard, MS, RD, LD, tells Signos. “Some studies have shown that consuming too much fat can increase symptoms of fullness, nausea, and bloating in individuals with digestive issues and heartburn. Reducing fat intake resolved symptoms.”

💪🔥Body Booster: A whole foods Mediterranean diet is ideal while taking Ozempic.

Sophie van Oostenbrugg gainsbybrains
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to get your glutes sculpted for summer? Sophie van Oostenbrugg is a fitness trainer and the founder of the Gains with Brains app. She regularly shares workouts with her 2.4 million Instagram followers on how to burn fat and build muscle. “I grew up hearing that women should be as small as possible. That’s why I loved being able to share my bulking journey on social. I’ve done 2 bulks so far.. and I was thinking about starting and sharing a 3rd one,” she wrote in a recent post. She also revealed her “medium leg day” workout, which will help you tone up fast.

She Does Multiple Leg Days a Week

“I have good news today..it’s a medium leg day!!!🫣🤭sooo I split my leg workouts & currently have lighter, medium and heavier days. this helps me with recovery, train through a variety of rep ranges and make it more enjoyable,” she explains in the post.

She Does 8 to 12 Reps of Each Exercise

In the video she explains that she has “multiple leg days per week.” She goes onto reveal all of the exercises she does with “rep ranges from 8 to 12.”

RDLS

“I started with RDLs, four sets of eight,” Sophie reveals. To do Romanian deadlifts, start with both legs pressed evenly on the floor. “Slightly bend knees while bending over,” says The Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian. “Keep your arms pointing down toward the floor and lower with you almost touching the floor. Keep hips and shoulders square facing forward throughout the exercise. Return to standing.” She suggests repeating 10 to 12 times with the right leg and repeating on the left side. “Progression includes holding a weight in the arm pointing toward the floor,” she adds.

Sumo Squat with Kettlebell

“Then I moved on to a sumo squat with kettlebell. You know the deal, form over everything, so go slow and control the weight,” she says. Sumo squats are similar to regular squats, only you point your toes outward.

Glute Bridges

“Then I did glute bridges,” Sophie continues. You can do glute bridges with or without weights.

Cable Step Up

Next up? Cable step ups, using an exercise block. “These are great as they help with balance and therefore they're easier to overload,” she says.

Seated Leg Curl

She sits down at a machine. “Then I did a seated leg curl,” she says.

Core Exercise

“I finished with some core exercises,” Sophie concludes. “I want to get my core as strong as humanly possible so I can keep recording more intense ab workouts.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Try splitting up your workouts into light, medium, and intense days to allow your body ample time needed to recover.

Joyy Maria joyymaria
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to accelerate your weight loss? Go on a hot girl walk. Joy Maria (@therealjoyymaria/video) is a weight loss influencer and mother who lost 70 pounds in less than 11 months. One of her secret weight loss weapons? “Hot girl walks,” she reveals in a video. “Walking is a thousand percent, the most underrated way to lose weight,” she adds, “and one of my favorite things to do is walk.” Here is everything you need to know about how she lost weight, including some great walking tips.

She Recommends Walking After a Workout to “Cool Down

“I love walking after training because it's low impact, and my trainer's pretty intense. So it's just kind of like my cool down. I can listen to podcasts, I can answer emails, I can talk on the phone, scroll on TikTok, whatever. So get to walking, sis,” she says.

Calorie Deficit

In another video she details “exactly” how she went from 230 pounds to 160 pounds in 10 to 11 months. “If somebody is telling you that you can lose weight without being in a calorie deficit run because they're lying,” she continues, calling it “the most important step” to losing weight. “I know you guys have heard the saying, you cannot outrun a bad diet, and it's so true. Google, TDEE calculator. From there, put in your information. I'm gonna tell you exactly how many calories you need to eat. I ate about 1600 to 1800 calories daily, just depending on my activity level for the day. If I did two workouts that day, I would eat closer to 1800. If I had a more sedentary day, I would eat closer to 1500 to 1600.”

Meal Plan

Next she recommends a meal plan. “I have a seven day meal plan available at the top of my profile. It just makes it really easy when you're going to a grocery shop, when you're first starting out, when things are structured, it's gonna make it a lot easier to follow and just to stay consistent, not skipping breakfast, especially if we're exercising.”

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

Her favorite breakfast is “avocado toast on sourdough bread, one hard boiled egg,” which she seasons, adding truffle hot sauce, two pieces of bacon, and one piece of sausage. “High protein, good, healthy fat, and a healthy balance of carbs,” she says. “This can also be a breakfast or a lunch because it is super filling.” Another favorite is yogurt bowls made with Dannon Light and Fit Greek yogurt with granola blackberries and blueberries. She also likes tunacado sandwiches with sourdough bread, cheese, tomato, avocado, and pesto basil spread. For dinner she might have a small bowl of Turkey chili.

Hydration

She also drinks “a ton” of water, “like a gallon of water a day,” she says. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day and women about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids. Why is hydration so important? Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues, according to Mayo Clinic.

Working Out

Working out is the “second most important part,” she says. “I was taking group classes when it first started. They were high intensity bootcamp. From there, I got a trainer at the same gym. I also work out on my own. If the gym intimidates you, I strongly recommend you guys try some group fitness classes. They're a really great way to hold yourself accountable because you're in a group setting and the people around you can motivate you,” she adds. “I incorporated Pilates about nine to 10 months into my fitness journey, and I wish I would've done it sooner.”

💪🔥Body Booster: If you are working out but not seeing the weight loss results you desire, add walking to your routine every day.