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Woman Lost 20 Pounds by Eating These Surprisingly Low-Calorie Foods

One of them even has zero calories!

Mahtab Ekay fitbymahtab

Do you want to lose weight while eating delicious food? Mahtab Ekay is a fat loss coach and social media influencer who lost over 20 pounds and helps other people do the same. In a new Instagram post, she reveals a few of her go-to meals for weight loss that are not only low-calorie but also satiating. “6 surprisingly low-calorie foods that can help you when losing weight,” she writes across the video.


Low Calorie Doesn’t Mean “Good” Food

“You will love these foods for weight loss,” she adds in the caption. “Reminder that low-calorie doesn’t mean ‘good’ food. There is no such thing as ‘good’ or bad ‘food’. These low-calorie options could be beneficial when you are trying to lose weight and wanna snack on healthy food without the extra calories.”

Soup

The first food is soup with 100-200 calories per serving. “Broth-based soups with lean protein sources like chicken or turkey and plenty of vegetables are the best option. Avoid creamy or cheesy soups as they tend to be higher in calories and fat,” she writes.

Popcorn

The next surprisingly low calorie food is a snack: Popcorn. “90 calories for 3 cups,” she writes. “Air-popped popcorn is the best choice, as it’s low in calories and high in fiber. Avoid flavored popcorn varieties that are often coated in butter or sugary seasonings, as these can significantly increase the calorie content.”

RELATED:10 Hacks That Helped This Mom Lose 40 Pounds While "Eating Potatoes Every Day"

Potato

Number three, a starch that many people try to stay away from: Potatoes. “100 calories per small potato,” she says. “Potatoes are a good source of fiber and vitamins when baked or boiled. Avoid fried or loaded potato dishes, as they can be high in calories and unhealthy fats.”

Watermelon

Number four? Watermelon. 2 cups of the sweet fruit has just 80 calories. “Watermelon is low in calories and high in water content, making it a refreshing and hydrating snack option. It’s also rich in vitamins and antioxidants,” she says.

Berries

Another great fruit to aid in weight loss? Berries, packed with antioxidants. “100 calories per 1.5 cup,” she writes. “Berries are low in calories and packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. They make a delicious and nutritious addition to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal.”

RELATED:7 Proven Calorie Deficit Tips That Helped This Woman Lose 20 Pounds

Pickles

Number six is a fermented food: Pickles. How many calories per pickle? Zero! “Pickles are very low in calories but high in sodium. Enjoy them in moderation as a tangy and crunchy snack, but be mindful of their salt content,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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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 lose weight while eating delicious food? Mahtab Ekay is a fat loss coach and social media influencer who lost over 20 pounds and helps other people do the same. In a new Instagram post, she reveals a few of her go-to meals for weight loss that are not only low-calorie but also satiating. “6 surprisingly low-calorie foods that can help you when losing weight,” she writes across the video.


Low Calorie Doesn’t Mean “Good” Food

“You will love these foods for weight loss,” she adds in the caption. “Reminder that low-calorie doesn’t mean ‘good’ food. There is no such thing as ‘good’ or bad ‘food’. These low-calorie options could be beneficial when you are trying to lose weight and wanna snack on healthy food without the extra calories.”

Soup

The first food is soup with 100-200 calories per serving. “Broth-based soups with lean protein sources like chicken or turkey and plenty of vegetables are the best option. Avoid creamy or cheesy soups as they tend to be higher in calories and fat,” she writes.

Popcorn

The next surprisingly low calorie food is a snack: Popcorn. “90 calories for 3 cups,” she writes. “Air-popped popcorn is the best choice, as it’s low in calories and high in fiber. Avoid flavored popcorn varieties that are often coated in butter or sugary seasonings, as these can significantly increase the calorie content.”

RELATED:10 Hacks That Helped This Mom Lose 40 Pounds While "Eating Potatoes Every Day"

Potato

Number three, a starch that many people try to stay away from: Potatoes. “100 calories per small potato,” she says. “Potatoes are a good source of fiber and vitamins when baked or boiled. Avoid fried or loaded potato dishes, as they can be high in calories and unhealthy fats.”

Watermelon

Number four? Watermelon. 2 cups of the sweet fruit has just 80 calories. “Watermelon is low in calories and high in water content, making it a refreshing and hydrating snack option. It’s also rich in vitamins and antioxidants,” she says.

Berries

Another great fruit to aid in weight loss? Berries, packed with antioxidants. “100 calories per 1.5 cup,” she writes. “Berries are low in calories and packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. They make a delicious and nutritious addition to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal.”

RELATED:7 Proven Calorie Deficit Tips That Helped This Woman Lose 20 Pounds

Pickles

Number six is a fermented food: Pickles. How many calories per pickle? Zero! “Pickles are very low in calories but high in sodium. Enjoy them in moderation as a tangy and crunchy snack, but be mindful of their salt content,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Luisana_Carrero_luisana_nutritioncoach19
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.

Is your snacking keeping you from achieving your weight loss goals? Luisana Carrero is a nutrition coach and social media influencer who knows how to lose weight and keep it off from personal experience. In fact, she ended up losing 28 pounds in 4 months. In a new post, she discusses how this can happen and what to do about it. “I was holding most of my weight in my lower belly and hips until I stopped making these mistakes with my snacks,” she writes across the Instagram video. “Learn from my mistakes,” she adds in the post. “When I started my journey, I thought I was eating healthy, but I couldn’t understand why losing weight was so hard. Until I realized that I was making these three big mistakes with my snacks.”


Mistake 1: She Snacked on “Snack” Foods

Her first mistake? Snacking on actual snack foods. “I used to snack on foods like whole grain chips, crackers, granola bars, jerky, and cheeses. I was relying on foods that were literally marketed as ‘snack foods,’” she writes.

Mistake 2: Her Snacks Were Low in Protein and Volume

She also didn’t choose snacks that offered the right nutritional value that she needed. “My snacks were VERY low in protein and volume, which made it hard to only eat one serving,” she says.

RELATED:10 Weight Loss Secrets This Doctor Recommends, "Start With Just 5%"

Mistake 3: She Mindlessly Snacked

And her third mistake was that she didn’t keep herself accountable or track what she was eating. “I was mindlessly snacking, not paying attention to the servings or how much I was eating because I thought I was eating healthy,” she writes.

She Made Adjustments, Stick to Snacks with Protein, a Carb, and a Fat

“Making these adjustments was a game changer for me,” she continues. “I stopped relying on ‘snack foods’ and started building my snacks the same way I do with my meals,” she said. This involved “adding a protein, a carb, and a fat.”

She Also Pays Attention to Calories

She made herself more accountable by doing research as well. “Now, I’m aware of the calories per serving and the low volume these snacks provide,” she said. She also explains that making the following swaps was a game-changer.

RELATED:She Lost 40 Pounds After Discovering “The Most Satisfying Food On Earth”

She Eats Greek Yogurt with Berries Instead of Granola Bars

Her first swap? “Instead of eating granola bars (very little protein and very small serving), I eat plain non-fat Greek yogurt with berries and natural nut butter or apples with natural nut butter and low-fat cottage cheese,” she writes.

She Eats Lots of Lean Proteins

She also makes sure to amp up her protein intake. “Instead of jerky and cheese, I opt for lean protein sources like protein shakes, low-fat cottage cheese, or turkey,” she says.

She Swapped Crackers and Chips with Veggies and Greek Yogurt

Another swap? “Instead of crackers or chips, I eat crunchy veggies with plain Greek yogurt mixed with 0 calorie ranch powder, or rice cakes with deli turkey and avocado, or rice cakes with peanut butter, berries, and a protein shake,” she says.

RELATED:3 Holiday Weight Loss Mistakes This Coach Stopped Making

Her Snacks Have 20 Grams of Protein Plus Complex Carbs and Fats

“Now, all my snacks have at least 20g of protein along with complex carbs and fats. This has helped cut back on mindless eating and keeps me satisfied until my next meal. Once I learned how to build better snacks and to prioritize well-balanced meals, weight loss became easier,” she writes. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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.

Are your unhealthy habits preventing you from losing weight? According to one expert, you should take a look at yours. Fitness and nutrition coach Alexandra (@alexx.fitt) has amassed a following on TikTok and Instagram by sharing videos about losing 40 pounds. In a recent video, she reveals a few bad habits that she ditched to achieve weight loss success finally. “5 things I stopped doing to lose 40lbs,” she writes in the post.


She Stopped Following Trends

Just because it’s trendy doesn’t mean it will help you lose weight. “I stopped following trends,” Alex revealed. “These days, whether it’s running, Pilates Princess is all a trend. You can do it all. The secret is finding what works for you and sticking to it,” she says in her post.

She Stopped Snacking on “Everything in Sight”

Snacking isn’t always bad. However, it can be. “I stopped snacking on everything in sight. I used to be the person who would have a bite of everything. Little did I know it adds up quickly,” Alex writes.

She Stopped Being Lazy

Sedentary behavior won’t help you lose weight, says Alex. “I stopped being lazy. I simply began walking everywhere, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, etc,” she reveals.

RELATED: This Plan Is How to Lose 5 Percent Body Fat In 2 Weeks

She Stopped Setting Strict Goals

Are your diet and fitness goals too rigid? “I stopped having strict goals. I used to think I could lose 2 lbs a week consistently. But realistically, your weight will fluctuate, and setting weight goals puts way too much pressure on me,” she writes.

She Stopped Restricting Herself

Crash diets and avoiding food you actually like aren’t the key to losing weight, according to the influencer. “I stopped restricting myself and learned how to have portion control. Enjoy dessert in moderation,” she says.

She “Ate the Same Meals Every Single Day”

So, what did she eat to lose weight? “For 1-2 months, I ate the same meals every single day. Why? Because I was confused, I didn’t know what to eat or where to start, so I ate the same thing every day,” Alexandra confessed in another post.

RELATED: Health Expert Shares Her 5 Favorite Healthy Food Swaps

Here Is Her Weight Loss Breakfast

On her weight loss journey, Alex had two breakfast options. One “would always be oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder and brandy butter,” she reveals. The second? Eggs with turkey bacon, veggies, and a bagel.

Here Is Her Weight Loss Lunch

You don’t have to stick to salads to lose weight, according to Alex. “I’d usually eat some type of wrap/ sandwich. I’d add mayo, turkey, ham, salami, cheese, and a bunch of veggies,” she writes.

Here Are Her Weight Loss Snacks

Alexandra had a few go-to snacks while losing weight. “I’d have a protein bar, protein shake, fruit, yogurt bowls, bagels with cream cheese, snack plates, and anything I was craving that day. I just made sure it was a decent portion,” she says.

RELATED: 9 Ways You're Making Your Belly Fat Worse

Here Is Her Weight Loss Dinner

For dinner, while losing weight, she “would switch things up” and gravitated toward bowls. She would “add a bunch of lettuce, rice and either ground turkey, chicken, ground beef, any kind of protein and I’d add toppings like tortilla chips, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, salsa, cheese ugh they’re so good and so filling,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Sadie_Chartrand_Slim_Sadie_Coaching5
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.

Have you been trying to lose weight but been unsuccessful? Sadie Chartrand of Slim Sadie Coaching is a weight loss coach, military spouse, MO, and Registered Nurse (RN) who “helps women who have been battling their bodies and struggling with their weight for their entire lives” get into shape. In a new viral YouTube video, she reveals how she did it. “This is how I lost 80 pounds in just five months,” she says at the start of the clip. “My only hope is to help you all lose weight based on my own experiences.”


She Was “So Heavy” That She Thought She Had a “Disease or Disorder”

“Two weeks before December 13th, 2017, I had decided at some point that the reason that I was so heavy had to be because of some kind of disease or disorder. So I went to the doctor, and I told myself when I went into the doctor's office if all of my results came back negative, I had to lose weight. I have no more excuses. This was December 13th, 2017. I went into the office, and she read my results back to me. Everything was totally normal,” she says in her post.

She Went to a Doctor and Had Her BMR Calculated

“I stuck to my promise to myself, so I asked this doctor to help me lose weight. The first thing that she did was body composition. From that, she showed me what my BMR was, which was basal metabolic rate. And then she explained to me that to lose weight, I needed to eat about 1,157 calories a day, no more than that,” she continued.

RELATED:9 Things You Need to Do to Drop Body Fat in 30 Days, According to Expert

She Amped Up Her Protein Intake

She is also excited about her protein intake. “She wanted to make sure that I really increased my protein. So I ate one gram of protein per pound of skeletal muscle that I had, which was about 75 grams of protein per day,” she continues.

She Cut Carbs

She also stopped eating carbs. “At the time, she really cut my carbs out. So I was only eating less than 20 net carbs per day, less than 50 total carbs per day,” she says.

Here Is What She Ate in a Day

She was eating a protein shake for breakfast and a protein shake for lunch. “And these are Premier Protein shakes, pre-made,” she says. “For dinner, I was having four ounces of meat and two cups of vegetables.”

RELATED:Fitness Coach Reveals the 5 Foods That Helped Him Lose 20 Pounds in 90 Days

Walking Was Also Key

And, she got her steps in. “As for exercise, all I did was walk,” she says. A 2018 study published in the journal Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure, and fewer strokes.

She Lost Weight Fast

When she went in for her two-week checkup “and just to check in to see how things were going,” she learned she had lost 14.7 pounds in just two weeks. “At first, I was so excited, and then everyone said, ‘It's water weight. It's going to come back. Don't get yourself all excited about this.’

She Went on to Lose 80 Pounds in 5 Months

“It never came back. And I continued to lose weight. At the end of the first month. I had lost basically 25 pounds in one month, which was my goal. I just barely miss it by a few ounces. But basically, it was 25 pounds. About two months into my journey, I had lost 40 pounds. And at the end of five months, I had lost 75 pounds. So that's why I say I lost 80 pounds in five months.”

She Gained Some of It Back

Unfortunately, she ended up gaining back 40 of those 80 pounds within a few months. “I got back into it, and I committed again. I lost all of the weight again by May of 2019. Her lowest weight was 180, and she admits that she is now 223.

RELATED:Nutrition Expert Reveals 2 Natural Alternatives to Expensive Weight Loss Drugs

She Is Now Back on Track and Using These Tips

“I am embarrassed, I'm disappointed. But the most important thing that I have to keep reminding myself is that I've done this not once but twice before. I know how to do this, and I can do it. It's just a matter of convincing myself each and every day to do this. It's been a lot, but it's also been absolutely life-changing for me, and I was really missing out on life. So my motto is losing weight and gaining life.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
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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.

Nour T (@nourrtann) is a social media influencer who shares videos about everything from skincare tips to diet and fitness hacks. In fact, she regularly shares about how she lost a whopping 40 pounds in just 5 months. In one of her viral videos Nour reveals that one diet hack in particular has been instrumental in her weight loss journey. The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian weighs in.


There Is “One Sustainable” Way to Lose Weight

@nourrtann

the best weight loss hack, have you heard of it before? #volumeeatinghack #volumeating #volumeeatinghacks #weightlosshacks #sustainableweightlosstips #sustainableweightlosstip #realisticweightlossmeals

“I'm telling you guys, there is only one thing, one sustainable, realistic thing that actually works when it comes to losing weight and getting to your goals. I worked in a gym for five years, so I tried everything you can think of,” says Nour. “I'm also someone who lost 40 pounds in less than five months, and I've seen people who have tried anything you could think of.”

Calorie Reduction Helps You Lose Weight

White,Plate,Served,With,Vegetables,On,Wooden,TableShutterstock

“One thing I will say: Keto, paleo, Atkins, high protein, low fat, low carb, whatever it is, they all work. They all work because you're probably eating less,” she continues. “And also, please remember that eating healthy and eating to lose weight are completely different things.” Collingwood agrees. “Yes, diets just trick you into eating fewer calories. When you reduce calories to burn more than you are taking in, you will lose weight!”

Related: Kim Kardashian's Trainer Flaunts Washboard Abs in Mirror Selfie. Here's Everything She Eats in a Day.

But the Technique of “Volume Eating” Is the Most Sustainable

Fitness,Breakfast,running,healthy,eating,saladShutterstock

“In my opinion, the most sustainable way to lose weight without tracking calories or stressing out is volume eating. Volume eating is in no means a diet plan. It is actually just a technique,” Nour continues. Collingwood agrees that no one likes to eat like a mouse, and “if your eyes can see a larger amount of food, it tells the brain that you are getting a decent portion and that it should feel full.”

You Eat Large Amounts of Low-Calorie Foods

Tara_Collingwood2Diet Diva/Facebook

“You're basically mainly eating large amounts of low-calorie foods, so some examples of that would be like instead of having a cup of rice, you would have a half cup of rice and then a half cup of cauliflower rice,” she says. “Low-calorie foods tend to have higher water content (fruits and veggies) and also fiber to keep you full longer. You can eat more volume and fill up without contributing a lot of calories,” explains Collingwood.

Related: The #1 Right Way to Lose Lower Stomach Fat

You Eat Half a Portion of Rice or Noodles and the Other Half, a Veggie

Natural,White,And,Brown,Long,Rice,In,Wood,Spoons.Shutterstock

Another example? “Instead of having a whole serving of pasta, you would split it in half and then have zoodles,” she adds, explaining that you would mix in your cauliflower rice with your rice or zucchini noodles with your noodles. “You're eating the same exact amount as you would've, but the calories you're cut in half and you're allowing yourself to eat much more vegetables, which are good for you,” she says. “Using cauliflower rice and zucchini noodles in place of all or some of the starchy counterparts can definitely reduce calories and boost nutritional value,” agrees Collingwood.

Or, Make Half the Eggs and Add Lots of Veggies

Fresh chicken eggsShutterstock

“Another example is, let's say you're having eggs for breakfast, you would just add a bunch of chopped vegetables into the scramble mix. Now you're eating so much more, but you added no calories to your meal,” she says. “Adding veggies to your eggs will definitely boost the nutritional content, fiber content and volume by a lot. Your eyes will see a big plate of food but the calories won’t be too high,” Collingwood adds.

Related: 15 Foods That Fight Fat

She Says It Will Help You “Get to Your Goals” Faster

Nour_T_nourrtann2nourrtann/Instagram

“I'm telling you, start volume eating. If you practice volume eating, you will get to your goals without all the added stress, and it's a way that you should want to and can eat for the rest of your life. Yes, all these other things might work and they might work fast, but I've been there and they're not realistic. You'll gain the weight back and you'll just do it all over again. It's unhealthy, it's unrealistic, and it's dumb,” Nour concludes. “Portion size is the problem for many people but they don’t want to eat small portions because they think they won’t be full or will feel deprived. When you can eat a full plate of food, you feel better. When that full plate is mostly veggies, you can feel good about that and still lose weight!” says Collingwood.

💪🔥Body Booster: Volume eating is a great tactic: You get to eat some of your favorite foods paired with some healthier alternatives, allowing you to lose weight while staying satiated.

theemilychristensen
Copyright theemilychristensen/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.

Are you curious about what to expect after achieving your weight loss goals? You might be surprised what it is like, says one weight loss warrior. Emily Christensen is a social media influencer who lost 60 pounds after undergoing weight loss surgery and adopting a healthy lifestyle. She regularly shares tips and tricks with her followers about how she did it. In a new post, she reveals the truth about being overweight and thin. “Some brutal honesty from who has spent the majority of her life feeling fat and longed to be skinny,” she writes in the Instagram post.

When You Lose Weight, More Problems Surface

The first truth? You might find underlying problems after slimming down. “When you’re over weight that’s the only problem you want to solve. Once you lose the weight you realize how many underlying things are going on that have *actually* been causing issues. I’m talking relationships, spending, parenting,” she says.

Being Skinny Doesn’t Mean You Are Healthy

The second thing she learned? “Being skinny doesn’t mean you’re healthy,” she says. “When I was at my lowest weight I had lost a lot of muscle. Rebuilding that is kind of scary but I know it’ll serve me when I’m a fit grandma.”

Weight Loss Is Mental

Her third truth is that weight loss is mental. “There are a lot of tools out there that can help! But they’re still just tools. I have to talk to myself a LOT to remind myself I didn’t suddenly gain back 60+ pounds,” she writes.

You Might Still Be Obsessed with Your Weight

She goes onto explain that obsession with your weight might not end. “Before I lost weight I was really obsessed with losing weight. Now that I’ve lost weight I have times where I’m really obsessed with keeping it off. Not out of vanity but out of fear. I never want to go back to feeling how I did for so many years,” she writes.

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Your Loved Ones Might Not Be On Board with Your New Lifestyle

Another truth? “No one cares about your journey as much as you do. Meaning…it’s not anyone’s job to eat what you eat. Or exercise with you. Your spouse/partner may or may not be on board with your new lifestyle. It’s up to you to buy and prepare the right foods and find the time to exercise,” she says.

Being Skinny Won’t Give Your More Self-Worth

Finally, getting thin won’t solve your self-esteem problems. “Being skinny isn’t going to give you more self worth. It might help you love your body more and appreciate what it’s done for you…but ‘skinny’ isn’t an attribute that very many people use when they talk about why they love someone,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Cherisse Kozloski cherisse_rykercoaching
Copyright cherisse_rykercoaching/Instagram

Are you on a high-protein diet for fat loss but can’t seem to lose weight? You could be making a common mistake, according to an expert. Cherisse Kozloski is a nutrition coach and personal trainer who helps her clients lose weight and keep it off. In a new post, she discusses some slip-ups that many seem to be making. Most women eating a high protein diet but not losing fat are making these common mistakes,” she writes. “Are these mistakes stopping your progress?”

Mistake 1: You Aren’t Counting Calories

The first mistake? “Not paying attention to your overall calories,” she reveals. “Eating more protein doesn’t automatically mean fat loss. If you’re not mindful of your portions, you could be consuming more calories than you burn, a surplus is a surplus.”

Solution: Measure or Weigh Your Food

How can you correct this? “Weigh or measure your food at least for a little while so you can get a good idea of what a serving size actually is,” she suggests.

Mistake 2: Choosing Food Labeled “High Protein

The second mistake people make? “Choosing foods labeled as ‘high protein’” she says. “Many foods labeled ‘high protein’ actually aren’t.”

Solution: Calculate Yourself

Her solution? Do your own calculations. “Remember the 10/1 rule for every 100 calories you want to get at least 10 grams of protein to be considered high protein,” she says.

Mistake 3: Skipping Healthy Fats

Mistake three has to do with going too low-fat. “Skipping healthy fats,” she says. “Avoiding fats completely can leave you hungry, mess with your hormones, and make it harder to stick to your diet.”

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Solution: Eat Healthy Fats

The solution is simple. “Add fats into your diet like avocado, olive oil, and nuts,” she says. “But remember they are calorie dense so be mindful of how much you’re consuming.”

Mistake 4: Eating too Many Processed Foods

The fourth and final mistake? Just because something is high in protein doesn’t mean it’s good for you. “Eating too many processed foods,” is a no-no. “Protein bars and shakes are convenient but often packed with sugar and additives,” she says.

Solution: Eat Whole Food Protein Sources

Instead, stay away from packaged foods and shop the grocery store's perimeter. “Focus on whole-food protein sources like shrimp, boneless chicken thighs, and eggs to nourish your body and support fat loss,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these20 Superfoods for People Over 50.

Dylan Hornof dylanjfit
Copyright dylanjfit/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.

Are you just getting started on your weight loss journey and are overwhelmed by all the advice you are getting? According to one expert, there is a simple, foolproof approach. Dylan Hornof is a personal trainer and fitness coach who transformed her body and helps others do the same. In a new social media post, she reveals that a handful of habits were instrumental in her weight loss. “5 things I’ve done to lose 20lbs and keep it off for years,” she writes in the post.

Drinking Less Alcohol

You might consider putting down the bottle if you are drinking your calories. Dylan reveals that drinking less helped her lose more weight. “I worked through my relationship with alcohol - I had to break the habit of drinking multiple days on the weekend,” she said. There is another non-weight-related benefit. “This helped me lose lbs and lower a lot of inflammation in my body and face)” she says.

Walking More

Dylan also recommends walking. “A walk a day (move your body more) it’s that simple. We are not meant to sit all day. Outside, on a treadmill - get your steps in!” she says. How much should you walk for weight loss, according to science? A 2018 study published in Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure, and fewer strokes.

Eating Consistently

It can be tempting to starve yourself to lose weight. However, Dylan points out that you need to fuel your body. “Ate MORE food consistently. Hear me out - when you’re eating 1,200 calories and falling off all the time you’re not going see results. Up your calories and find consistency with your food,” she says.

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Strength Training with Purpose

Dylan points out that you should focus on quality over quantity in your strength training workout. “I train with purpose. My weight lifting is intentional - I push myself and challenge myself with the weights I use,” she says.

Focusing on Whole Foods

And finally, she cleaned up her diet. “I stopped hitting my macros with whatever food I could fit in. I choose to eat 90% whole foods everyday (I do believe in balance and I am a huge foodie - you CAN fit ‘fun’ foods in) but focusing on more clean foods helped me feel less ‘puffy’.” she writes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.