Eat and Lose Weight: 10 Foods That Help in Losing Weight

With so many quick weight loss programs and weight loss tips around it’s sometimes hard to know where to start when it comes to eating healthy and losing weight. A natural weight loss remedy that doesn’t require a person to follow a detailed plan or buy expensive prepackaged foods is usually the best. There are several basic foods that will not only help improve our overall health, but also help us lose weight at the same time. The following are 10 foods that people can eat to help lose weight more quickly.

Yogurt

Yogurt is full of probiotics, a particular type of bacteria that may help limit the amount of fat that your body absorbs. Make sure to choose a yogurt that says “live active cultures” on the container. Probiotics are good bacteria that helps get rid of the bad stuff in your intestinal tract. The amino acids in yogurt help burn fat while the calcium tells your fat cells to get rid of cortisol, which is a hormone that may cause belly fat to increase.With so many different types of yogurts on the market to choose from it’s important to know what you’re getting. Some yogurts, especially flavored ones, are loaded with sugar. Make sure to pick a plain yogurt that doesn’t have any added sweeteners or sugars. Greek yogurts are usually a good choice as well.

Apples

Apples are truly a super food. They provide the body with fiber that will help you feel fuller longer and will therefore fight cravings and help with weight loss. Make sure to eat the apple and not applesauce or juices. Chewing crunchy foods is always better for losing weight. Chewing will send a signal to your brain that you’re actually eating something solid. This helps your body to feel full faster.

Some studies have shown that while all apples are healthy, eating the Granny Smith apples can give specific benefits when it comes to losing weight. These types of apples seem to contribute to an increase in the kinds of bacteria in the intestinal tract that help people stay lean.

Cabbage

Eating cabbage for rapid weight loss was made famous back when the cabbage soup diet was first being promoted. It’s not necessary, however, to mix cabbage with a lot of other items and make it into a soup to receive the benefits of eating this healthy vegetable. Cabbage is one of those foods that supposedly takes more energy to digest than the calories taken in. Whether that’s true or not, there are many great reasons to eat cabbage. It’s high in antioxidants, including vitamin C. It’s also high in fiber to keep you staying full for longer periods of time. Cabbage also contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Cabbage can be prepared lots of different ways so you won’t get tired of eating it as quickly as some other foods. A half cup of cabbage is only 17 calories when it’s boiled. If that sounds too bland, cut it up and eat it in a vinegar cole slaw. Fried cabbage is delicious. Make sure to fry it in healthy, low fat oils and cooking sprays. Cabbage can also be eaten in a stir-fry or made into a roll with meat and rice.

Eggs

Eating foods high in protein is a great way to burn fat, and especially those types of proteins found in eggs. Protein in egg yolks can stimulate the release of a hormone called glucagon. This hormone can help burn fat, in particular belly fat. Some studies have even found that people who eat eggs don’t have any higher cholesterol than those who ate bagels regularly.

Eggs can be prepared in so many ways that eating this super food is a fast way to lose weight. Whether scrambled, poached, or in an omelet filled with veggies, eggs can be cooked in a number of ways. Hard boiled eggs can be prepared ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and then eaten as a healthy snack whenever cravings hit. The other great thing about eggs is that compared to most sources of protein they are relatively inexpensive.

Salsa

Salsa is technically several foods mixed together but it can aid in weight loss in so many ways that it’s worth mentioning. The primary ingredients in most salsas include tomatoes, onions, and some type of peppers. Each of these veggies is loaded with a variety of nutrients and are great for losing weight. Salsa is also water based, which is healthy and keeps you full.

The important thing about eating salsa is to make sure and dump the greasy chips and pair this healthy snack with other great options. Use salsa on salads and veggies instead of high calorie dressing. Salsa is also a great topper on most types of meat, especially chicken. Salsa is relatively easy to prepare, can be stored in the fridge for several days, and goes with a variety of foods.

Black Beans

Black beans are full of protein and fiber, keeping you from getting hungry too soon after eating. They will also help keep your digestive system healthy and working efficiently while achieving weight loss. Because of the dark color, black beans contain what is called flavonoids. Some research suggests that flavonoids help reduce stomach fat.

Some people may fear eating beans because of gas. But the more you eat beans the more your body becomes accustomed to this type of food and gas may become less of a problem. If eating plain black beans doesn’t sound appetizing, there are plenty of ways to incorporate them into your diet. They can be put in soups, dips, and made into healthy black bean burgers. Overall, black beans are great for losing weight, your health, and they’re easy on your wallet.

Grapefruit

Eating grapefruit is not a new concept. Many of the “lose weight programs” through the years have contained grapefruit as one of the prime foods to be eaten. But the reason why is that it works! Grapefruit is almost 90 percent water, meaning it helps you feel full quicker. Grapefruit can also help lower insulin, which increases fat storage in our bodies.

A great way to incorporate grapefruit into your daily diet is to cut one in half every morning and eat each half before a meal. The red and pink grapefruits also have beta carotene which is good at fighting off disease. A half a grapefruit is only about 52 calories and it doesn’t contain any cholesterol. If you find simply eating a grapefruit by itself too tart, there are lots of ways to eat this nutritious and low calorie food. Grapefruit can be mixed with other fruits in a fruit salad, made into a smoothie, and even be part of salsa.

Lettuce

Lettuce has gotten a bad rap in recent years with some claiming that there aren’t many nutrients in lettuce. But that all depends on what type of lettuce you choose. There are several different types of lettuce that can be used in a variety of ways. Romaine lettuce provides vitamin B, Manganese, and folic acid. Generally, dark green and purple lettuce will provide the highest level of nutrients.

Lettuce is one of the lowest calorie foods that you can eat. This means you can eat a lot of lettuce, stock up on a lot of nutrients and still not gain weight. Lettuce is also the type of food that goes well with a lot of other foods. Not only great as a salad, lettuce goes with fruit, cottage cheese, chicken, beef, and even peanut butter.

Quinoa

Several years ago many people hadn’t even heard of quinoa, now it’s a great way to lose weight easy. Quinoa is low calorie and full of nutrients. One serving of cooked quinoa is around 180 calories. It has a low glycemic index which means it won’t spike blood sugar. Quinoa is full of protein, magnesium, zinc, and iron.

This gluten free grain can be eaten with a variety of other foods including vegetables, salads, and even fruit. Quinoa can also be made into protein and energy bars that are not only healthy but delicious to eat. Almond bars, cooked into lentil burgers, and made into smoothies are just a few of the ways to enjoy quinoa and lose weight.

Dark Chocolate

When asking, “How can I lose weight?” don’t forget to include dark chocolate. The secret to indulging in dark chocolate while receiving all the good benefits is to make sure not to overindulge. Taking a few bites of this delicious treat every now and then can help slow the digestive process and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.

Dark chocolate contains less added sugar than other types of chocolate and has healthy fats that can help keep metabolism up. It can also help curb cravings for other sweets that may not be as healthy. Some Swiss scientists have even found that dark chocolate can limit the metabolic effects of being stressed.