Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. In the case of dieting, lack of knowledge is purely the enemy. Unbeknownst to them, far too many people trying to lose weight end up eating foods that they never even realized were bad for them. Which foods are we speaking of here? While I could go on forever with an endless list of things to avoid, here are some of the most common diet killers that people simply don’t think of that way.

Bagels

Even though they’re low in fat, bagels are extremely high in calories. The density of dough is far more so than that of ordinary bread, and people easily opt for bagels with low fat cream cheese, thinking they’re doing right by their bodies. This isn’t the case. Avoid bagels, and if you must get your fix, make sure you scoop your out. Doing this will dramatically lower the caloric intake.

Diet Sodas

This is probably something that doesn’t make logical sense to you. After all, how can something that’s essentially calorie free hurt you in any way? The answer is a bit more complex than the caloric values. Many recent research studies have concluded that diet soda plays a major role in weight gain. How does it do this? The chemicals in these drinks trick the brain into craving more sweet foods, which ends up resulting in the binge eating we so often despise. Stay away from these drinks and go for something healthier like water.

French Fries and Other Potatoes

It may seem obvious that french fries should be avoided, but they happen to be one of the worst foods possible when it comes to weight gain. They’re so much richer in calories than you imagined, and they’re extremely easy to eat. This is what truly makes them so dangerous. The same can be said about other potato forms like mashed potatoes and potato chips. If you must have one, opt for a baked one and hold off on the butter.