Weight loss can always be a tricky process, but it can become especially difficult as you get older and your metabolism slows down. While you might get away with eating lots of highly processed snacks and not gaining a pound when you were younger, that’s unfortunately usually not the case for the rest of your life. That’s why avoiding certain blows is an essential part of managing your weight over 40. The ever-popular salty pretzel is a certain snack you want to avoid because it can ruin your metabolism.
To learn more about why pretzels can be detrimental to your weight loss journey and your overall health, we spoke with Barbara Kovalenko, a physician and nutrition consultant from Lasta, and Catherine Gervacio, a registered dietitian and nutrition writer for Living.Fit. They explained why you might want to think twice before eating some pretzels if you want to lose weight.
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pretzels
A pretzel is a yeast bread that is usually formed into a twisted knot. It can be hand held (which you can find with chains like Auntie Anne’s) or mini ones that come in a bag (like Snyder’s). This popular snack can be chewy or crunchy. Because of pretzels’ similarity to other snack foods, such as potato chips (which can lead to inflammation!), pretzels’ calorie and salt content make them an unhealthy snack option.
“Pretzels don’t actually cause weight loss, and they may contribute more to weight gain,” says Gervacio. “They are not ideal metabolic foods because they can be high in calories and loaded with sodium, especially those with visible grains of salt on the surface.”
“Consuming high amounts of sodium can cause water retention and contribute to high blood pressure, which can be detrimental to overall health. In addition, processed foods are often high in calories and low in nutrients, which can lead to weight gain,” notes Kovalenko. .
When it comes to calories, Gervacio says that “an ounce of pretzels can contain about 109 calories, which can lead to weight loss when taken with other low-calorie foods.” But there are even more serious problems that the excess sodium in pretzels can cause. She says it “may also affect metabolism, as excessive intake can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke, which will affect metabolism.” Yuck!
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Instead of processed salty snacks, Kovalenko recommends trying healthier options, such as “raw veggies with a low-fat dip, a handful of nuts or seeds, or a piece of fresh fruit.” These snacks are rich in nutrients, contain fewer calories and stimulate the metabolism.
“You can try air-popped popcorn as a snack,” says Gervacio. “Make the popcorn yourself so you can reduce the amount of sodium you put in it. Pretzels are simple carbohydrates, so it won’t give you enough fiber for weight management and digestive health. Popcorn is a good source of fiber to contribute either lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. An ounce of popcorn provides about 4 grams of fiber.”
Salty snacks can certainly be tempting, but it’s important to be wary of the impact they can have on your health, especially as you age. Women over 40 may find that overeating salty snacks can negatively impact their metabolism and weight loss plan. So, the next time you get a craving for delicious but harmful pretzels, look for healthy, metabolism-boosting alternatives like raw veggies with a low-fat dip or homemade popcorn. With the right recipe, they can be just as delicious as your salty metabolism-slowing snacks!