Healthy Foods to Lose Weight

The old adage "Mother knows best" holds as true in a diet plan as it does in life. Explore our list of healthy foods that support weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.

The old adage "Mother knows best" holds as true in a diet plan as it does in life. This is because the best kept secret for weight loss lies not in pharmaceuticals, supplements, or gimmicks, but right in Mother Nature - in wholesome, nutrient-dense foods that bust myths about our nutritional needs while busting fat. Rev up your metabolism with Mother's Nature's bounty by piling your plate with the following five healthy foods to lose weight.

Salmon

This so-called "fatty" fish forces dieters to rethink once feared fats. Studies published in Diabetes Care have shown that diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids like those found in salmon can afford a greater reduction in abdominal fat and LDL cholesterol than a low-fat diet alone. These fatty acids have even been shown to boost brain function and improve mental clarity. In addition, salmon is an excellent source of iodine, which is essential for proper thyroid functioning and optimal metabolism.

Eggs

While some dieters admonish the cholesterols in eggs, studies published in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care suggest that the inclusion of eggs in the diets of healthy individuals does not lead to coronary disease. And contrary to popular opinion, a study published in the International Journal of Obesity indicates that a regular breakfast of nutrient-rich eggs can help enhance weight loss when paired with a calorie-restricting diet, making these once feared proteins actually healthy foods to lose weight.

Black Beans

Dieters often erroneously view black beans as a poor man's substitute for meat. However, when incorporated into a weight loss diet, this superfood becomes a superhero. It offers 15 grams of protein in a single cup while eliminating the saturated fat found in tempting but treacherous cuts of red meat. Because these lean legumes are also high in fiber, they satiate you longer and prevent you from dipping into hypercaloric snacks between scheduled meals.

Avocados

Weight losers often run at the sight of avocados due to their advertised high fat content. However, the healthy, monounsaturated fats in avocados make them healthy foods to lose weight because they contain a compound called Oleic acid. This naturally-occurring fatty acid is thought to suppress hunger pangs and help prevent excess calorie intake and encourage weight loss. In addition, these low-carb and high fiber fruits confer 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, according to the California Avocado Commission.

Broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are healthy foods to lose weight, as a single serving packs a filling, high-fiber punch with minuscule calories. Compared with other vegetables, broccoli also contains a sizable amount of protein-approximately 4 grams in a single serving. In addition, the plant compounds in broccoli have been shown to prevent cancers of the stomach and mouth, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Brown Rice

While bistroMD recommends that individuals limit their consumption of carbohydrates while on a weight loss diet, this carbohydrate reigns above ordinary refined starches because it is considered a resistant starch. Unlike white rice, the resistant starch in brown rice helps boost the metabolism and burn fat. Brown rice is also higher in fiber, curbing your appetite longer than the empty calories in refined starches. When brown rice is paired with other healthy foods to lose weight-like black beans-you can concoct a hearty, complete protein with little effort or time.

When you need food for thought on revamping your weight loss diet, turn to bistroMD's diet delivery service for chef-prepared and physician-certified meals featuring an abundance of healthy foods to help you lose weight.

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