Healthy foods you may be eating too much of

Agave Syrup

Agave has been praised by some nutritionists as a sweetener that's better for you than glucose. But Julie Kaye, R.D., says, "too much added sugar [sugar not naturally occurring in fruits] in our diets in any form is not recommended." The American Heart Association recommends limiting sugars to 100 calories per day, or about 6 teaspoons, no matter the source of sweetener.

Shrimp, Oysters, and Lobster
Although low in fat, these types of seafood are high in cholesterol. A 3-oz. portion of cooked shrimp, which is about 12 large shrimp, has 179mg of the 200mg daily cholesterol recommendation for women. Cynthia Sass, R.D., recommends limiting shellfish to 3 to 4 oz., twice a week. On the days you do consume seafood, Sass suggests getting the rest of your protein from plant-based foods such as lentils, edamame, tofu, or beans.

White and Brown Beans
Speaking of beans, Kaye considers them "one of the most healthful foods to include in your diet," thanks to their high protein content and phytochemicals, which aid in disease prevention. However, she also says eating large portions of beans can cause bloating and gas. "Beans are something that our bodies can get better at digesting," she says. So if you find you have a hard time tolerating them, eat them more often." She advises sticking to half-cup portions per sitting and drinking more water to avoid feeling the icks.

Freeze-Dried Açai Berries
Eating freeze-dried fruits is a sneaky way to add extra fruit to your diet. Their small size, however, can trick you into reaching for more than your body needs. According to Sass, a tennis-ball-size handful of freeze-dried açai berries is equivalent to four cups of fruit! All the excess carbs you'd be consuming from overeating freeze-dried fruits could turn to fat, so Sass suggests sticking to a golf-ball-size serving to avoid weight gain.

Black Tea
According to a study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, drinking black tea may help reduce stress and cholesterol levels. But Kaye warns that drinking too much caffeinated tea can cause trouble sleeping. If this sounds like you, Kaye recommends limiting your intake to 2 cups a day and avoiding it entirely after noon.

Detox Juices
A juice packed with pure fruits and veggies sounds like the ultimate smart food, but many brands pack in 6 to 8 cups of fruits and veggies per bottle, which means a whole lot of carbohydrates per serving. According to Sass, because you drink the juice, you may have a harder time feeling satisfied. Plus, if your body doesn't use or burn all those carbs, they'll turn to fat. Sass recommends eating fresh fruits and vegetables for more fiber and chewing satisfaction. Aim for 2 cups of fruit per day (try one at breakfast and another as a snack) and 3 to 4 cups of veggies (try 2 at lunch and 1 to 2 at dinner).

Avocado
Creamy and satisfying, avocados are an excellent source of potassium, fiber, vitamin E, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fat. Careful, though: Eating the whole fruit in one sitting is too much fat for the average woman's body to use at once. Sass says to stick to no more than a quarter of an avocado per meal.

Mixed Nuts
Next time you reach for a handful of nuts, consider the size of your fist. Like avocados, nuts are rich in fiber and nutrients, but the fat content can sneak up on you. Sass recommends a golf-ball-size portion per serving.

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