These healthy things are secret fatteners

You want to quickly follow a diet before you pull that bikini out of the drawer. Because in exactly 65 days, we will all be back on the beach and warm latte macchiatos will turn into iced coffees. Now, there are quite a few people busy achieving their summer body. And for everyone for whom that means losing a few kilos: listen up.

Some products are seen as healthy by society — and often they are — but if you're trying to lose weight, they might not be the best ‘superfood’ that you can eat. In fact, some snacks may slow down your progress rather than help you fit into that cute summer dress. Here are 8 products that you have on your fitgirl moodboard but that you should think twice about before eating too much of. Remember: nothing is forbidden to eat, just make sure you add it to your meal in a healthy way. This is how you put together a healthy meal.

1. Granola

We start the list with granola. No matter how healthy it looks, it quickly adds those extra sugars and calories to your morning yogurt, especially if you put more granola than yogurt in your bowl. Try adding a granola substitute the next time you want to have yogurt for breakfast. Now, you don't really have true granola substitutes, but I've gathered a few healthier options with fewer calories for you: for example, you can better add muesli to your yogurt. This is, unlike granola, unsalted, unbaked, and pure. Puffed buckwheat is also a lighter option and is packed with protein.

2. Avocado

Whoa, stop. I'm not saying you should stop eating avocados altogether, as they are full of healthy fats. But, because they contain so much fat, an avocado is also calorie-dense. When people make a cracker with avocado or a guacamole dip, I see that almost everyone uses a whole avocado. An avocado contains quickly around 360 calories, so choose to cut your avocado in half and save the other half for tomorrow. Tip for that dip: add yogurt to your guacamole, this way you not only add more protein, but it also makes the guacamole deliciously fresh. Here you can read 10 fun facts about avocados.

3. Dried fruit

Dried fruit seems like a healthy snack for between meals, but that's not entirely correct. Dried fruit is a bit in a gray area, so pay close attention. If you buy 100 percent naturally dried fruit, without added sugars or E-numbers – here you can read what E-numbers are – and you use it as an addition to a meal, then it really can't hurt and is actually good to eat. If you use it as a fruit substitute or snack on a handful of that commercial junk between meals? Then you should stop that as soon as possible. These commercial types are often full of sugars or other preservatives. Although the nutritional values are partially retained when you dry fruit, you might as well choose a handful of ‘real’ fruit.

4. Protein bars

Next: Many protein bars contain added sugars and artificial ingredients. They can contain as many calories as a large Mars or Twix, and let's be honest, we really shouldn't eat that if you're in the middle of a healthy journey A protein bar should also definitely not be used as a meal replacement, as it doesn't contain enough nutrients. When can you eat such a calorie bomb of a bar? If you've been exercising all afternoon and haven't eaten enough protein that day, a protein bar after exercising can really do no harm. A better option could be: protein powder. Here you can find the best protein powders.

5. Salad dressing

Salads are healthy, so definitely keep eating them, but the dressing can quickly increase the calories. Often, you have healthier versions of sauces in stores that contain fewer calories and sugars, but still have that delicious taste. Even better is to make your own dressing. For example, you can easily make a yogurt dressing at home. Here you can find 7 recipes for healthy dressings for your salad.

6. Nuts

Yes, nuts, you heard it right - unfortunately. Nuts contain healthy fats, which definitely belong in the food pyramid, but if you're trying to lose weight, you might want to adjust your quantities. Eating a small handful of nuts (30 grams) as a snack? This can quickly yield around 200 calories. Just like with dried fruit, it's not very smart to eat nuts as a snack when you're feeling like snacking. Add them to a meal to get healthy fats.

7. Soft drinks (yes, even zero)

(Sugar-free) soft drinks - like a cola zero - are full of artificial sweeteners. Even though there are no calories in these cans, it increases your feeling of hunger. Choose water or tea when you're thirsty. And if you're craving something sweet? Then make your own homemade iced tea with just 3 ingredients.

8. Hummus

Aaaah – sorry – I'm also one of those who loves to scoop up a whole container, but hummus contains a lot of calories. When you eat a tablespoon of hummus with vegetables, it can certainly do no harm, as you have a good balance between the antioxidants from the vegetables and the healthy fats from the hummus. Just remember that there is a lot of fat hidden in hummus. Here you can get the tastiest hummus.