There are a lot of important decisions to make in your weight loss journey. Many people think you need to go on a diet and stop eating all your favorite foods. However, losing weight doesn’t mean your only meal of the day has to be a mint and a glass of water. There are delicious foods you can enjoy eating which also help you shed body weight and speed up your metabolism.
Here are 11 types of foods that can help you lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle.
Foods That Can Help You Lose Weight
Leafy Greens
You can find various leafy greens in your local supermarket, including kale, spinach, lettuce, celery, and cabbage. Other healthy leafy greens that are good but might be harder to find are Bok choy, Swiss chard, collard greens, watercress, beat greens, and similar. Most of these leafy greens can be found all year round.
The reason leafy greens are good for weight loss is that they contain all the healthy nutrients, but they are low in calories. Dark leafy greens, like kale and spinach, are also packed with powerful minerals and antioxidants. And there’s a reason celery is such a popular ingredient in green smoothies. It’s also known as a “negative calorie” food because it contains fewer calories than it takes the body to digest.
Leafy greens can be eaten raw or incorporated into various recipes, including salads, soups, and smoothies. If you add leafy greens to your diet, you will feel less hungry, and therefore, you’ll stop craving food that’s low in nutrients.
Eggs
Many people believe it’s only healthy to eat egg whites, whereas egg yolks can increase the chances of heart disease. If you want food that will help you on your weight loss journey, it’s recommended to eat whole eggs. Egg whites are rich in protein, while egg yolks are packed with nutrients.
If you don’t overdo it, adding eggs to your diet will only have positive results. You should eat between seven and 12 eggs every week. There are dozens of ways to make eggs, and they’re all easy, even if you’re not a great cook.
Since there’s a lot of protein in eggs, it’s best you eat them for breakfast. One study proved that if you eat eggs for breakfast, you’re more likely to eat less during the rest of the day. Due to their high protein levels, eggs can speed up your metabolism, thus promoting fat-burning.
Soups
Have you ever eaten soup before the main meal, and then noticed that you’re not that hungry anymore? It can take time to finish a bowl of soup, which can help you feel full. And soup can be packed with flavor and important nutrients. If you eat soup every day, it will also help you stay hydrated, which supports weight management.
Soup is easy to make and it’s a great way of adding all the necessary vitamins and minerals to your diet.
There are hundreds of different ways to make soup. If you want to lose weight, don’t add any fatty ingredients like cream, processed meats, or butter. Instead, try making soup with healthier ingredients, like leafy greens, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and asparagus.
Grapefruit
Whether you eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, you’re consuming a powerful weight-loss food that has impressive fat-burning properties. This fruit contains a high concentration of fiber, which makes you feel full. That’s why eating half of a grapefruit 30 minutes before a meal can help you feel less hungry.
However, if you’re taking medication for high blood pressure or cholesterol, avoid eating grapefruit, as it can interfere with the effects of the drugs.
Yogurt
Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, can help you lose weight by aiding your body with the fat-burning process. Not only that, but it’s also one of the best probiotic foods that’s necessary for a healthy gut.
You’ll find various types of yogurts at your supermarket, but not all of them promote weight loss. Look for yogurt that’s low in fat and that doesn’t contain any added sugar. Finally, opt for a yogurt that’s rich in protein because it will help you feel full for the next couple of hours. That’s why you should get Greek yogurt, which has a thicker consistency.
Avocado
Even though avocados are high in calories and fat, they’re extremely nutritious and healthy. Avocados contain vitamin K, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin C, and folate, and they’re a good source of fiber. If they are eaten in large amounts, they could contribute to weight gain. However, if taken in moderation, just one avocado can be quite filling.
Not only do avocados make you feel full, but they also reduce hunger for a longer period. In other words, you’ll be able to go longer without eating. That’s why many people incorporate avocados into their breakfast, which is when they need the most fiber and proteins.
Nuts
Nuts are generally a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. For example, almonds contain a high concentration of antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation, which plays an important role in obesity. Since they’re packed with protein, they can also help speed your metabolism and aid your digestive system.
Aside from almonds, other nuts that can help you lose weight are hazelnuts, pistachios, cashews, and walnuts. However, be careful not to overdo it. Your average daily dose of nuts should be around 30 grams. Avoid eating macadamia nuts and pecans if you want to lose weight since these types of nuts have a lot of calories.
You can add easily add nuts to your diet, whether you use them for granola bars or your salad. You can also just eat them as snacks. What’s great about nuts is that they make you feel less hungry relatively quickly.
Salmon
If you want to lose weight and you like eating fish, salmon is the best option. Not only is salmon delicious and can be prepared in various ways, but it’s also incredibly nutritious. In fact, salmon is one of the most nutritious foods available.
Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that can help minimize inflammation and promote fat-burning. This fish is also high in vitamins, protein, selenium, and phosphorus. What’s more, it’s low in calories.
According to research, eating salmon and other types of fish regularly can even help decrease belly fat. Of course, eating salmon isn’t enough to battle obesity. An active lifestyle is also required.
Chia Seeds
If you’re looking for a super fat-burning solution, have you heard about the amazing effects of chia seeds? Chia seeds are loaded with protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Some minerals contained in chia seeds include calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and more.
When you add chia seeds to water, they grow in size, and they make the water thicken. That’s why you can add them to yogurt, juice, or smoothies and just drink them. You can also grind them and add them to your granola or protein bars. Chia seeds make you feel full, which will help you lose weight faster.
Chia seeds aren’t only helpful for losing weight. They can also boost your metabolic rate and improve your digestive system. They can even help control blood sugar.
Dark Chocolate
Most of us don’t associate chocolate with a healthy meal, let alone a diet. While it’s true that regular milk chocolate is loaded with sugar, dark chocolate is a whole other story.
Dark chocolate is actually a healthy treat, and it’s good for you. Since dark chocolate has a slightly bitter taste, it reduces your sugar cravings. Milk chocolate contains about 20% cocoa, while dark chocolate has 70% to 90% cocoa, which is what gives it its bitter-sweet flavor.
Dark chocolate is a great source of iron and antioxidants. Not only is it a tasty snack, but it can also help boost your energy and reduce all kinds of inflammation and painful conditions. However, since dark chocolate does contain sugar, it’s important to eat it in moderation.
Green Tea
When it comes to losing weight, green tea is a powerful drink. Not only does it contain a high dose of antioxidants, but it also comes with caffeine, which promotes fat-burning and weight loss. Green tea can help you lose weight by aiding your body in breaking down fat cells.
If you drink green tea before exercising, its effects will be significantly increased. Green tea holds a lot of antioxidants called epigallocatechin gallate, which can help speed up your metabolic rate.
Eat the Right Foods to Lose Weight Faster
There are lots of foods that can help you lose weight. You probably have some of these foods in your refrigerator right now, like yogurt, eggs, and vegetables. You can probably find other foods from this list in your local supermarket.
The trick is to find foods that are rich in fiber and protein, which will make you feel full. Other foods and drinks, like green tea and leafy greens, can even help with the fat-burning process. Of course, there isn’t one type of food or drink that works like a magical potion and makes you skinny overnight. You’ll have to incorporate a balanced diet and an active lifestyle to see some real changes.