Trying to lose those last few pounds but having difficulty? You’re eating salads and juices but the pounds just won’t come off? Well, here a few things that may help you or at least give you some food for thought.

1. Smoothies: Fruit smoothies are quite often loaded with sugar and people often order smoothies that are larger than they should order. This means that you are loading up on calories and sugars.

2. Granola bars: While they used to be known for being a healthy alternative to cereals, if you take a closer look, they are loaded with sugars (sugar, high fructose corn syrup, high maltose corn syrup, fructose, etc). They also provide little nutrients.

3. Prepared salads: Store bought salads (pasta, potato, etc) are quite often loaded with mayo, fat and calories. If you want a salad, it’s best to go green or prepare your own. This way you can use light or low fat dressings, whole wheat pastas and add some more vegetables.

4. Salad dressing: oils and vinaigrettes are low-calorie, light and tasty alternative to creamy dressings that are high in fats.

5. Fruit juice: Fruit is good for you but fruit juices generally have sugar and some (like grape juices) have as much as 40g per serving. Also, they generally provide little nutrition.

6. Bagels: One bagel with cream cheese is loaded with calories and fat. If you do enjoy bagels, look for whole wheat bagels and only eat half.

7. Chocolate: If you want to eat chocolate, then buy dark chocolate (not milk or white chocolate). It can have some health benefits. For example, if you eat a small portion each day can help lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.