In the previous article I listed 5 weight gain foods that may be working against you and what can be done to make them work for you. In this article I present to you a further 5 foods that you should be cautious of and what you need to do to make them healthier. Food shouldn't be the enemy, as long as you know what to include and what to exclude.

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1. Deli Meat - It is tempting when visiting the deli to simply purchase an overabundance of meat, thinking that convenience should somehow take the place of nutritional value. The problem with deli meats mainly relates to packaged choices because of the use of nitrate preservatives, which can potentially lead to cancer later in life. However, even fresh deli meats, such as salami, are packed with fats. Stick to the lighter meats in order to get more protein and less fat for your buck, such as turkey breast and chicken breast.

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2. Tuna - Tuna is an excellent food for anyone looking to lose fat or build muscle, as it is filled with protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, this isn't to say that all tuna products were created equal. When selecting the right tuna, never purchase the ones that are preserved in oil, as you don't need the extra fats. Also, try to purchase from smaller companies if possible, as the smaller companies tend to check their product for mercury levels.

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3. Yogurt - This really is a super food if you make the right choices, as yogurt is teeming with protein, healthy bacteria, zinc and calcium. All of these nutrients play an important role in losing body fat. The easiest way to ensure that you are always eating a yogurt that is healthy is to purchase plain yogurts and then add your own fruit at home. Otherwise the fruit will not be fresh and you run the risk of ingesting additional sugars.

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4. Steak - Steak really is one of the best muscle-building foods available and since muscle mass is vital if you want to lose weight permanently, steak should be a big part of your diet. I will tell you how to turn one of nature's worst weight gain foods into one of your secret weapons. First of all, always purchase hormone-free and grass-fed steak. Secondly, stay away from rib eye and prime rib cuts. Thirdly, have a cup of hot green tea after eating steak, as this will help to break down any saturated fat.

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5. Fruit Juice - The trick here is to stick to juices that contain only fresh and natural ingredients. Stay clear of juices that contain added sugar or are made from reconstituted juice, as this contains basically no nutritional value whatsoever.

I hope that you have all found this as informative as the last article. Next time you go shopping, come home with the healthy alternatives and watch the change that it will make to your waistline. So keep in mind from now on that weight gain foods can be transformed into weight loss foods just by tweaking the ingredient list just a little bit.