6 hidden foods that could be fuelling your weight gain and inflammation

If you feel like you're doing all the right things but still can't shift the weight, the problem may not be how much you're eating—but what you're eating.

At Nutrition Queensland, I work with women who are tired of feeling sluggish, inflamed, and frustrated by diets that don’t work.

Let’s uncover 6 sneaky (but damaging) ingredients that may be keeping you stuck.

1. Sugar

Let’s start with the obvious culprit. Sugar spikes your blood glucose, fuels cravings, messes with your hormones, and encourages your body to store fat—especially around your belly. Even small amounts of added sugar, especially when eaten often, can inflame the body and slow down your metabolism.

⚠️ Check labels for hidden names like cane sugar, raw sugar, or syrup.

2. Glucose syrups

This highly refined sweetener is made from corn or wheat and is absorbed extremely quickly, causing a rapid rise in insulin levels. Constant insulin spikes make it harder for your body to burn fat and easier to store it. It also fuels inflammation and can mess with your mood and energy levels.

⚠️  Common in lollies, processed sauces, baked goods, and fast food.

3. Tapioca starch

This one sounds harmless, but tapioca starch is a refined carbohydrate with little to no fibre or nutrients. It breaks down quickly into sugar in the bloodstream, which can lead to fat storage and inflammation—especially if you're already insulin-resistant or dealing with fatigue.

⚠️ Often found in gluten-free products, crackers, and ready-made snacks.

4. Modified food starch

This lab-altered starch is used to thicken sauces, soups, and processed foods. It’s usually made from corn, wheat, or potato and acts like sugar in the body, spiking blood glucose and insulin. It’s ultra-processed, and your body has to work overtime to deal with it.

⚠️  sauces, dressings, desserts, and microwave meals.

5. Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is another high-glycaemic starch, even higher than sugar! It’s often used in protein powders, meal replacement drinks, and processed snacks. It can disrupt gut bacteria, cause blood sugar spikes, and promote weight gain and inflammation if consumed regularly.

⚠️  Look out for it in "health" products, supplements, and packaged goods.

6. Seed oils (Canola, Soybean, Sunflower, etc.)

These industrial oils are often marketed as heart-healthy, but they are high in omega-6 fats that can trigger chronic inflammation when out of balance with omega-3s. They’re also heavily processed, often oxidised, and hidden in everything from salad dressings to “healthy” snacks.

⚠️  Too many omega-6 fats = inflammation, joint pain, and weight gain. Often found in all processed foods. 

The Takeaway

It’s not just about calories—it’s about ingredients. Reducing these six foods can help your body calm inflammation, balance hormones, and finally let go of stubborn weight.

At Nutrition Queensland Townsville (and beyond), I teach you how to make real food swaps that actually work with your body.