Slider foods – what to stay away from & why

You’ve probably heard the term ‘slider foods’, but do actually you know what it means? Or where the term comes from?

Slider foods are often soft, processed carbohydrate foods with little or no nutritional value. They’re usually high in fat or sugar so they’re relatively high in calories compared to a less processed option. As they’re processed, they digest really quickly without filling you up so you can eat much more of them (and therefore more calories) than you can of a steak and salad which may slow your weight loss, or lead to weight regain. This is why they’re called ‘slider’ foods – they appear to “slide” through the stomach.

Sadly, often people will begin to believe their sleeve isn’t working because they never feel fullness or restriction like when eating less processed foods that are high in protein and fibre.

It’s important to be aware of the habit of eating slider foods and identify it early. Avoiding slider foods requires a mindset change – from enjoying eating to enjoying the feeling of fullness and satisfaction that comes with high protein/high fibre foods. Check the list below to see if you regularly snack on slider foods – if so, it’s worth having a think about swapping them out for a better option to maximise your weight loss long term.

Examples of slider foods

There are both sweet and savoury slider foods. I’ve listed some of the most common below. This doesn’t mean you can never eat these foods, but they really shouldn’t be featuring in your daily diet.

Savoury slider foods include crackers (e.g. Ritz or Jatz), popcorn, potato chips (or crisps for the Brits), corn chips or pretzels. Sweet slider foods include sweet biscuits, cake, lollies, chocolate, ice cream*, sweet yoghurt*, or flavoured milk*.

*PS – If you’re craving ‘wet’ foods, you might be dehydrated – have a drink first and see if that solves your cravings!

It’s always best to go for a more nutritious snack. If you’re stuck for snack ideas that will be more nutritious and filling, check out the snacks list downloadable below.