Going on a diet can be hard on the body, so you want to make sure you choose a program that will keep you healthy while you lose those pounds. Fortunately, the best foods for weight loss are also foods that are good for you, so eating them can help you lose weight, gain energy, and improve your health and mood.
Whole grains – One of the biggest culprits for weight gain is white flour. It is also one of the least healthy foods you can eat. If you’re looking to lose weight, you should eliminate any foods made with white flour from your diet immediately. This includes white bread, pasta, and most baked goods. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop eating these foods. What you should do is switch to whole grain breads, pastas, and baked goods. Replace your white bread with whole wheat bread, eat whole wheat pasta or quinoa instead of spaghetti, and ditch white rice in favor of brown rice. Foods made with whole grains have nutrients that foods made with white flour don’t, and they’ll also make you feel fuller and more satisfied.
vegetables – It goes without saying that vegetables are probably the healthiest foods you can eat: they are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so it stands to reason that a diet rich in vegetables is healthy for you, and since they are low in calories, they are also one of the best foods for weight loss. Adding more vegetables to your diet will help you be able to eat a larger volume of food while still losing weight. One strategy I like is to increase the amount of vegetables in the dishes you make. Sticking with stir-fries, vegetable rice dishes, or simply adding more vegetables on the sides to your plate can help you in your weight loss efforts.
fruit – Like vegetables, fruits are low in calories and if you are trying to lose weight, it is a good strategy to replace desserts in your diet with fruits. There are many delicious recipes that use fruit and you can also replace some of the fat and sugar in your baked goods recipes with fruit like mashed bananas and applesauce to create healthy, low-calorie, low-fat desserts. You can even add fruit to your stir-fries and salads to add bulk and flavor.
Beans – Beans are incredibly healthy and have a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they’re also loaded with fiber, which can help you feel full. Beans are a great substitute for meat in your diet because meat is so high in fat and calories. Switching some of your meals to “meatless” can be a great way to help you in your weight loss efforts. Eating things like chili, rice, and beans, as well as stews and soups that contain beans can be just as satisfying as a full plate of meat, but have far fewer calories.
When it comes down to it, the best foods for weight loss are those that are low in fat and calories and high in fiber. Choose foods that have a low glycemic index because these foods will help you feel fuller and help you keep that feeling of satiety longer. The fuller you feel, the less you’ll eat and the more successful your weight loss efforts will be.