Mar 31, 2025

10 foods eaten during lunch that can secretly make you gain weight

TOI Lifestyle Desk

Beware of hidden calories in your lunch

Certain lunch choices may seem healthy but can secretly contribute to weight gain. Hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbs can sabotage your fitness goals.

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White bread sandwiches

Packed with refined carbs and lacking fiber, white bread sandwiches can cause blood sugar spikes, leading to increased cravings and weight gain over time. Opt for whole-grain alternatives.

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Creamy pasta dishes

Filled with heavy cream, butter, and processed pasta, such foods have high amounts of excess calories and bad fats and thus are a secret weight-gaining culprit when eaten regularly.

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Sugary drinks

Fruit juices in bottles, sweet teas, and sodas are loaded with added sugars and empty calories, which result in insulin spikes that stimulate fat storage and contribute to the total calorie count.

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Fried fast food

Burgers, fries, and fried chicken have trans fats, sodium, and refined carbohydrates and cause weight gain, bloating, and low metabolism when consumed frequently.

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Commercial salad dressings

Most commercially prepared dressings are loaded with a lot of sugar, harmful fats, and preservatives that convert an otherwise nutritious salad to a calorie-ridden meal unbeknownst to you.

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Cheese-greased meals

Excess cheese on pizzas, sandwiches, or pasta adds to calorie and fat consumption, leading to weight gain when eaten in excess amounts without portion control.

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Flavored yogurts

Yogurt is a healthy food, but flavored yogurts have hidden sugars and artificial ingredients, adding to calorie consumption and making them an unsuspecting cause of weight gain.

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Processed meats

Deli meats such as salami, sausages, and bacon are filled with sodium, unhealthy fats, and preservatives, which promote water retention and weight gain over time.

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Granola and energy bars

Touted as healthy, most granola and energy bars are filled with added sugars, artificial ingredients, and extra calories, which make them a sneaky cause of unwanted weight gain.

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Canned soups

Pre-packaged soups can appear convenient, but they tend to have high sodium content and secret sugars, causing bloating and weight gain when eaten on a regular basis.

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