The One Smoothie Ingredient Experts Say No One Should Be Eating Anymore Because It Leads To Inflammation And Weight Gain

Fruit With Added Sugar

Of course, fruit is a healthy and important part of any balanced diet—and it's also the central ingredient in many smoothies, thanks to the fact that, as Dr. Puopolo notes, "it provides many of the antioxidants and flavor we desire." However, the type of fruit you're adding to your smoothies is important to consider if you want to avoid weight gain; choosing varieties with added sugar can load your smoothie with calories. "Though many tend to look at fruit, no matter how it is obtained, as a benefit, where that fruit comes from can be indicative of its caloric contribution," Dr. Puopolo warns.

For this reason, making your own smoothies with fresh fruit is typically your best bet. This means you should generally avoid processed, store-bought smoothies—no matter how healthy they may seem. "Most smoothies, especially those sold in stores, are made with frozen fruit that has been packaged in syrup," Dr. Puopolo explains, adding that "syrups are sugar-based and can add a
lot of calories that most consumers are not calculating into their daily diets." Sugar is also one of the biggest culprits of inflammation, which can lead to serious health risks, including obesity.

There's another type of sugary fruit you should look out for, too: Duffy says it's important to "avoid using candied fried fruits in smoothies when trying to lose weight." That's because "dried fruits contain much less water and a lot more sugar and calories than fresh fruits."

Not all frozen fruit is bad, of course. Just make sure to pay attention to the ingredients when you're buying fruit for your smoothie. "Make certain that when you make your smoothie, or if you purchase it from the store, that the fruit is unsweetened," Dr. Puopolo instructs. Pay attention to those labels if you want to maintain steady weight loss! "This simple check can literally cut your calorie intake in half and prevent weight gain," he concludes. Noted!