Comfort foods may be inflammatory, doctor warns; advises reducing intake of sugary drinks, fried snacks, and processed items

Enjoying summer comforts like air conditioning, sugary drinks, and screen time might come at a cost, according to Dr. Cho Wei-ju, an attending physician in gastroenterology at Yunlin Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. He warns that persistent issues like a protruding belly, bloating, stalled weight loss, and increased cravings could be linked to daily consumption of three key "inflammatory foods."

Sugary drinks, including bubble tea, fruit juices, and milk tea, offer temporary comfort but are high in sugar and calories. They often fail to provide satiety, leading individuals to consume regular meals afterward. Fried snacks, such as Taiwanese fried chicken and French fries, are not only high in calories but also in fat and salt. Their consumption can contribute to stomach bloating, acid reflux, fatty liver, and elevated triglycerides.

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If you've recently felt: your belly is getting bigger, you're easily bloated, your weight is stuck, and you want to eat more and more, then you should really check if you are eating these 3 'inflammatory foods' every day.

Ultra-processed snacks like cookies, potato chips, and pre-packaged foods, while not resembling full meals, can contain similar calorie counts. They are typically high in sugar, fat, and low in fiber, which can stimulate further cravings, making it difficult to control intake. Dr. Cho suggests that for those looking to lose weight during summer, drastic measures like extreme fasting or detox diets are less effective than simply reducing the intake of these problematic foods.

He recommends cutting sugary drink consumption in half, decreasing the frequency of eating fried foods, and keeping snacks out of sight. These practical steps are considered more effective than purchasing numerous detox products. For individuals already experiencing conditions like fatty liver, high blood sugar, or elevated triglycerides, or those struggling with weight loss, Dr. Cho advises a metabolic assessment before implementing any weight loss strategy. He emphasizes that successful weight loss is about identifying the right approach, not about starvation.

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Weight loss is not about starving, it's about finding the right breakthrough.