Nobody ever looks forward to going on a diet. Diet food is usually synonymous with boring, bland food. However, it doesn’t have to be so. Losing weight isn’t so much about eating less as it is about eating right. Eating certain foods can actually help you lose weight. Let’s take a look at some of the most weight loss friendly foods.
Eggs
Both the white and the yolk of an egg are very healthy. Recent studies have shown that the earlier theory that claimed egg yolks contribute to cholesterol is true only if eaten in excess. Eggs are high in proteins and have a number of healthy fats. However, they have a low calorific value.
Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale can not only keep you from turning anemic but can also help you lose weight. These vegetables have high fiber content but are low in carbs and calories. Adding greens to your meals is an easy way of increasing the quantity of food being eaten without increasing your calorie intake. If you’re on the HCG diet, spinach or beet greens are ideal accompaniments to the HCG drops for weight loss.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbage can all be categorized as cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables have high amounts of protein and fiber in them. Adding them to your meals can keep you feeling full and can help reduce your urge to snack between meals. When roasted, broccoli and cauliflower can be healthy snacks too!
Chicken
It is a myth that you must turn vegetarian to lose weight. Chicken is a lean meat that is high in proteins and low in fats. However, you should avoid chicken skin as this is the fatty part of the chicken. How you cook this chicken is also important. Avoid deep fried chicken and stick to recipes that involve steaming or lightly sautéing it.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the healthiest things you could eat while on a diet. This is loaded with healthy fats, proteins and a number of other vitamins and minerals. It is also a rich source of iodine that helps the thyroid gland function optimally and keeps your metabolism rate high. Apart from salmon, you could also consider fish such as mackerel, sardines and trout.
Tuna
Tuna is considered a red meat fish and hence many people consider it unhealthy. However, this is a lean fish that has very little fat and a lot of protein. If you’re building muscles, tuna is a must have. If fresh tuna isn’t available, you could buy tinned tuna instead. However, ensure that the tune has been tinned in water, not oil.
Boiled Potatoes
Everyone considers potatoes to be the enemy of weight loss. They don’t have to be. Potatoes are starchy but when boiled and allowed to cool, these starches are converted into resistant starch that aids in weight loss. Boiled potatoes are also satiating foods. If you eat a cup of this, you will not be able to eat much else.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is high in proteins and low in carbohydrates and fats. For vegetarians, this is the best way to get your daily dose of proteins. Cottage cheese is also a great source of calcium. Calcium helps build stronger bones and also aids in weight loss. There are a lot of cottage cheese recipes available for those who are interested in using cottage cheese as part of their diet.
Avocadoes
While most fruits are high in carbohydrates, avocados are high in healthy fats. One of these fats, monounsaturated oleic acid is the same fat found in olive oil. Along with these fats, avocados also have high water content. Thus, their calorific value isn’t as high as you would assume.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar can be diluted with water and drunk or used to season salads. Either way, it is great for weight loss. This vinegar makes a person feel satiated and helps reduce their portion size. Studies have also shown that it reduces blood sugar spikes after meals. Thus, it has multiple health benefits.
Chili Peppers
Chili peppers contain a substance known as capsaicin that helps burn fat and reduce appetite. For this reason, many people also choose to consume capsaicin supplements to lose weight. However, it is interesting to note that if you are used to eating spicy foods, then having a few chilies may not have much of an effect.
Grapefruit
All fruits are healthy and should be eaten in plenty but grapefruits are one type of fruit that need to be highlighted. This fruit has high fiber content and very low calorific content. Many dieticians advice eating half a grapefruit before meals to curb your portion size. This helps reduce your overall caloric intake.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have a low carbohydrate level and high amounts of fiber. They can absorb up to 12 times their weight in water. Thus, they expand in your stomach. This keeps you from eating too much. Some studies have also shown that chia seeds can reduce a person’s appetite.