Best Foods For Weight Loss, food, Food & Nutrition, Nutrition, Weight Loss
10 Best and Worst Foods for Weight Loss – Pledge Health Today!
Jun
The foods you eat can determine your body weight in a big way. Some foods help in the weight loss process whereas some food leads to weight gain and obesity.
Therefore it is important to consciously choose foods that help weight loss.
10 best foods that aid weight loss.
When eaten regularly, these foods will help you shed those extra kilos.
1. Whole Eggs
Whole eggs are one of the best foods for weight loss. This is because they are rich in protein and contain healthy fats. The healthy fats can make you feel full and as an added advantage, eggs have fewer calories.
Eggs, especially the yolks, are also very nutritious and can help you get the required nutrients when you are on a diet with many food restrictions. They are very filling and nutrient-dense and can suppress appetite aiding weight loss.
Refuting the normal belief that eggs affect blood cholesterol or cause heart attack, several new studies state the opposite and deem it as a healthy food option.
For example, according to a study made by the University of Connecticut, eating three whole eggs every day can lead to increased good cholesterol in the body by around 20% while the level of bad cholesterol remained the same.
2. Leafy Green Vegetables
Popular Leafy greens include kale, methi, spinach, etc. The leafy vegetables are low in calories and carbohydrates but very rich in fibre. These leafy greens are very filling to the stomach without excess calories.
Leafy green vegetables are also very nutritious and very rich in many vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, including calcium. Calcium according to some studies aid in burning fat.
3. Fatty Fish
Fish is also a great food for weight loss.
Fatty fish includes salmon, tuna, tilapia, and mackerel. Fatty fish contains fatty acids that protect and promote your overall health. It is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation and in turn control obesity and metabolic disease.
Salmon, for example, is rich in high-quality protein, healthy fats, and various important nutrients. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Mackerel, Sardines and other types of fatty fish are also excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
It is important to note that fish, in general, is high in iodine. Iodine is necessary for thyroid function, which is in turn keeps your metabolism running properly.
4. Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage contain a good amount of protein though not as high as legumes and animal food.
These vegetables are high in fiber and tend to be very filling thereby reducing appetite. Apart from vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, cruciferous vegetables contain certain bioactive compounds that help fight killer diseases like cancer.
5. Chicken and lean meat
Chicken and lean meats are gym rat’s favorite since these foods are wonderful for weight loss and muscle gain.
Meat is high in protein and therefore should be eaten when on a weight loss program. If you are on a low-carb diet, it is fine to consume fatty meats.
However, if your diet contains moderate- to high-carbohydrate rich food items, it is better to choose lean meats. Processed meat, however, should be avoided as they pose health hazards.
6. Root Vegetables
If boiled potatoes are allowed to cool for a while after boiling, they will form a type of resistant starch. The starch is a fiber-like substance that offers health benefits, including weight loss. Boiled potatoes also fill the stomach fast and therefore control appetite.
Root vegetables like turnip and sweet potatoes also contain a good amount of potassium and therefore beneficial to our health.
7. Soup
Soups are always an important part of any weight loss diet. Their high water content makes them very filling.
They can be quite nutritious when you add assorted vegetables to it, making it a full-fledged dish. However, you should avoid having creamy soup with butter and too much oil.
8. Nuts
Nuts are an excellent snack as they contain balanced amounts of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It is better to munch on nuts in moderation that eat other types of unhealthy junk food like potato chips and fries.
Nuts improve metabolism and aid in weight loss; however, they must strictly be consumed in moderation as they are high in calories.
9. Avocados
Avocado is loaded with healthy fats and at the same time aids weight loss. Just make sure to eat moderately. Avocado is also high in fibre and potassium.
10. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is mostly protein. It is low in carbohydrates and fat. It is very satiating and has fewer calories. Cottage cheese is always considered healthier as it contains more amount of casein protein than cheddar cheese.
Whilst the above mentioned are some of the best foods for weight loss, there are certain foods that you need to keep at bay.
10 Worst Foods for Weight Loss
Here we are listing you 10 worst foods for weight loss that you should stop eating right now!
1. Food with Artificial Sweetener
Food with artificial sweeteners like jam, jellies, candy, puddings, and soft drinks are rich in calories and to be avoided if you are trying to lose weight.
According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, large amounts of artificial sweetener consumption put you at very high risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. Potato Chips
Traditional potato or corn-based chips offer almost nothing in terms of nutrition. For a healthy alternative, you can opt for chips made of lentil or beans. Chips made of lentils or beans offer at least some amount of fibre and protein.
3. Alcohol and Sugary Cocktails
Taking too much alcohol and cocktail loaded with sugar can be detrimental if you are on a mission to lose weight.
Studies made by the University of Liverpool have stated that the consumption of alcohol and cocktails have a tendency to increase our appetite.
4. Coffee Creamers
Coffee creamers are one of the worst foods for weight loss. It must be avoided if you are on a weight loss diet as they are high on calories.
People who add sugar and creamer in their coffee have a significantly higher risk of being overweight or obese than people who take just black coffee.
5. Packaged baked goods
Baked goods that are packaged such as flavored cakes, chocolate chips cookies, rolls, buns, etc. are high in sugar content.
They are also loaded with oils and fats and therefore must be avoided at all costs if you are trying to lose weight.
6. Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is not a healthy option because of its high omega-6 fatty acid content. Though some amount of omega-6s is needed for optimal health, too much can increase the appetite and can result in weight gain.
7. Cookies
Cookies like Oreos are made of high-fructose corn syrup and palm oil, which promotes inflammation and can destabilize your blood sugar.
8. Energy drinks
Energy drinks are rich in sugar and other harmful additives. You may opt for options like black coffee, green tea, or a low- sugar, homemade smoothie.
9. White Bread
White bread is extremely refined and is made up of added sugar. They can result in increased blood sugar levels and lead to a rising appetite.
10. Candy Bars
Candy bars contain a lot of added sugar, added oils, and refined flour. These bars are high in calories but negligible nutritional value.
Finally, if you’re not sure if a food is healthy or unhealthy, read the label to know about its ingredients. Moreover, before consuming food, remember to take note of the serving sizes.
For example, though healthy foods, like nuts, and cheese, are good for weight loss, it can still have the opposite effect if you consume them in large quantities. Always eat consciously and in moderation. Similarly, avoid junk food and exercise for good health.
Remember, knowing the best and worst foods for weight loss will help you in your weight loss journey because conscious eating goes a long way in achieving your weight goal.
FAQ
Q. What should I eat if I want to lose weight in 2-weeks?
Eat fewer carbohydrates and more protein to see a shift in your weight in a short time like 2-weeks. Aim to decrease your overall calories by 500 to 1,000 calories per day.
However, focus on nutrition, not calories. Nutritious and fresh foods are any day healthier than processed diet foods.Q. What are the alternatives to wheat bread?
Wheat bread contains gluten which is unhealthy. The healthier options are cornbread and almond flour bread.
Q. Are fruit juices good for weight loss?
When a whole fruit is pressed or squeezed to make fresh juice, some of the nutrients, like fibre and the water-soluble vitamins, get stripped in the process. Packaged fruit juices are high in calories and added sugar. They usually contain no fibre. It is best to eat whole fruits.
Awesome article! What an accomplishment! You can really see the weight loss! Yes, I can totally relate to losing weight…then gaining a few pounds and feeling awful because I was at “x” weight – when only a month earlier I was “happy” to be at that weight. It’s terrible how our minds work sometimes! I wish you continued health and happiness, Crystal!
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