After overnight metabolism, you may crave a hearty breakfast first thing in the morning. Breakfast is also critical for those aiming to lose weight or stay in shape. However, many foods widely regarded as healthy breakfast staples are actually major obstacles to weight loss. Identifying and cutting out these risky breakfast options can get your weight loss plan back on track.

Orange Juice

Orange juice is a popular breakfast drink, widely believed to substitute whole fruit and plain water. In truth, it cannot replace the abundant minerals and vitamins in whole oranges. A great deal of minerals and vitamins are lost during juicing, and the remaining vitamin C degrades under light exposure. Most commercial orange juice also contains massive added sugar. The better alternative is homemade fruit and vegetable juice with balanced fresh produce.

Flavored Mixed Oatmeal

Flavored mixed oatmeal has grown popular for breakfast. Unlike plain traditional oats, it usually contains cornflakes, dried fruits and nuts for richer texture and supposed balanced nutrition. The downside is that these add-ons multiply the sugar and calorie content drastically.

Bagels

This Western-style breakfast bread has gained popularity among young Chinese consumers, sold in bakeries or baked homemade. At first glance, bagels seem like a light, low-calorie alternative to doughnuts. Yet large amounts of sugar and butter are used in production; a single bagel carries as many calories as four slices of ordinary bread. Unless you opt for whole-wheat bagels, it is better to avoid them.

Flavored Yogurt

Flavored yogurt shares the same pitfall as mixed oatmeal: a naturally weight-loss-friendly food modified by manufacturers for better taste and texture. Commercial flavored yogurts come in diverse flavors and colors, loaded with added sugar and additives to improve palatability, leading to unnoticeable excess calorie intake.

Many people follow the so-called "yogurt weight loss method" by drinking yogurt after meals, which simply adds extra calories. Even low-sugar flavored yogurt may lead to weight gain this way. The optimal choice is unsweetened skim yogurt, consumed before meals to curb hunger and reduce overall food intake.