6 reasons why you're overweight

6 reasons why you're overweight

Not sure how the number on the scale got so high? You're not alone. Here are six reasons why you're overweight—and what you can do about it

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6. You're not reading food labels correctly

Reading labels is about more than simply looking for food items that claim to be diet friendly. “Just because it’s low in fat doesn’t mean it’s low in sugar,” says Shulman, “and too much sugar will knock you out of insulin balance, which can trigger weight gain.” 

Food additives can also cause the digestive system to become sluggish.

Solution: Take the time to read food labels carefully and consider cutting out processed foods altogether when trying to lose weight. “By removing processed foods from the diet and replacing them with nutritious alternatives—whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, fish, organic poultry, and eggs—weight can come off,” advises Toronto nutritionist Aviva Allen.