I see it all the time: Clients come to me exasperated because they're doing everything right to lose weight, but the numbers on the scale refuse to budge.
I coined the term weight loss resistance to describe this frustrating condition. And more often than not, it's those so-called “healthy” foods you've been eating that are causing that resistance (looking at you, egg whites, yogurt, and tofu!).
Wait… what? My healthy diet is actually causing me to gain weight??
Yes. And it has everything to do with what I call the 7 high-FI foods—the ones most likely to cause food intolerance.
What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance is a series of physiological responses that your body has to certain types of food. It's important to point out here that food intolerances are not the same as allergies. Most people test negative for food allergies, but those same people are likely to have at least one type of food intolerance… and many have several!
Food intolerance symptoms differ from person to person, but the most common ones include bloating, gas, indigestion, fatigue, brain fog, moodiness… and yep, weight gain.
How can you tell if you're struggling with food intolerance? Here's what I ask my clients:
- Have you tried unsuccessfully to lose weight?
- Is what you used to do to lose weight not working anymore?
- Are you a yo-yo dieter?
- Do you frequently experience digestive discomfort after eating?
- Can you only lose weight by starving yourself and exercising like a maniac?
If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you've likely been eating high-FI foods. High-FI foods are bad for a lot of reasons, but especially because they trigger dangerous inflammation, which jacks up your immune system and locks the doors on fat cells… and they're a BIG reason why I see so many clients hit a wall when it comes to weight loss.
You can be doing everything right—exercise, careful eating, getting good sleep—but if you've built up a food intolerance, you won't be able to lose that weight until you get it under control. And the only way to do that is by dropping the 7 high-FI foods below:
- Gluten
- Eggs
- Soy
- Dairy
- Corn
- Peanuts
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners
That means your so-called healthy Greek yogurt… the egg white omelet you had for breakfast… even the soy milk in your latte… they all need to GO. But there's a silver lining!
Ditching the 7 high-FI foods is actually simpler than you might think. I even came up with these 7 Easy Swaps for Foods that Cause Intolerances to help you get started. Then, once you get those high-FI foods out of your system and give your body a chance to chill out, don't be surprised when the numbers on your scale start ticking down, down, down. I promise you're going to look and feel terrific!
Ready to bust through that weight loss plateau? Start at the end of your fork.
I always say that if you want to lose weight and be the best fat burner, you need to start at the end of your fork. While certain foods signal the body to store fat, others can boost your metabolism and reignite your body to burn fat faster.
I created the Virgin Diet and the Sugar Impact diet to help people ditch the foods that are holding their weight hostage and replace them with healing, anti-inflammatory foods. This will help you bust through that weight loss plateau and finally achieve fast and lasting fat loss.
My Ultimate Health Roadmap is a short, actionable guide that shows you how easy it can be to take small but important steps every day toward staying fit, healthy, and positive. Grab your FREE guide here.
Below, I've listed some of my top recipes with foods that will supercharge your metabolism to restart your weight loss. I can't wait for you to try them out!
Espresso-Almond Shake: This shake has two of my favorite healthy treats: almond butter and coffee. It's great for your metabolism and a tasty start to your day!
Tex-Mex Burgers with Avocado Salsa: The lean, clean grass-fed beef and spicy paprika will stoke your metabolic fires, while the fat- and fiber-rich avocado in the salsa keeps you satisfied for hours.
Turkey, Spinach and Strawberry Wraps: Tasty, filling, and ready in minutes! This portable and healthy meal is a definite go-to that will keep your metabolism and your taste buds happy.
Lentil Bacon Soup: As a side dish or a main meal, this savory soup is packed with the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need to power through your busy day and keep your metabolism humming.
Chocolate Avocado Mousse with Cacao Nibs A dessert so creamy and decadent, you'll forget that it's made with avocado—an amazing superfood that's your metabolism's bestie! It’s also got crunchy, antioxidant-rich cacao nibs for added texture and crunch.
Want more delicious ways to climb off that weight loss plateau and watch those scale numbers start dropping? Check out my Top 10 Foods to Boost Your Metabolism.
You can also find more recipes that your metabolism (and your skinny jeans!) will love in my Virgin Diet Cookbook and Sugar Impact Diet Cookbook. Both are filled with tasty recipes created to reverse weight loss resistance and help you reach your weight loss goals fast.
One final tip: Your metabolism is affected by more than just the food you eat.
For extra fat-burning points, be sure to get at least 7 (and preferably more like 8 or 9) hours of quality, uninterrupted every night and keep those stress levels in check with relaxing activities such as meditation or yoga. It’s also helpful to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider adding some high-intensity interval training (aka burst training) and resistance training to your weekly routine.
By following these important steps, you'll soon be cruising down the other side of that weight loss plateau, and your scale will become your friend again in no time!
The views in this blog by JJ Virgin should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please work with a healthcare practitioner concerning any medical problem or concern. The information here is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
