5 Foods That Help You To Lose Weight
Modern diets and weight loss strategies often focus on cutting out foods, calories, fats, and sugars in order to achieve your aim. However, there are some foods that can actually help you to lose weight and achieve your goals. Eating these foods as part of your weight loss strategy can significantly increase your chances of success. If you are trying to lose weight, try adding the following foods to your diet.
Beans
Eating beans raises your levels of leptin. Leptin is a hormone that helps to control your appetite and reduce cravings for fatty or sugary foods. Beans are also full of healthy nutrients and can help you to feel fuller for longer. Try adding beans to your daily diet. Red kidney beans can be added to many spicy dishes, such as chilli con carne or spaghetti bolognaise. Mixed beans can be added to salads, hot dishes, or even used as a tasty side dish. Alternatively, for a quick snack, try a tin of baked beans on toast.
Eggs
Eggs are packed full of high quality protein that can help to stabilize your blood sugar levels and prevent food cravings. In particular, eating eggs for breakfast can help you to feel fuller during the day, reducing your appetite and the risk of snacking throughout the day. Boiled or poached eggs are preferable to fried eggs, as they contain less fat and calories. Try adding slices of boiled egg to a salad, or serve a poached egg with grilled bacon (yes, there is Halal bacon!) and tomato for a healthy start to the day.
Apples
Apples are full of soluble fibre, which helps to slow the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. This, in turn, prevents spikes in your blood sugar levels. Spikes in blood sugar levels can lead to food cravings, hunger pangs, and even mood swings. Eating apples as part of your regular diet also help you to feel fuller for longer and prevents snacking. Try adding slices of apple to salads, or serve with cubes of low-fat cheese for a healthy snack.
Oats
Oats are packed with nutrients that help to curb your appetite. Eating oats in the morning can prevent snacking and food cravings throughout the whole day. Try starting the day with a bowl of porridge made with rolled oats or another oat-based cereal. Alternatively, try having a few oatcakes as a mid-morning snack to boost your energy levels. Oats are also naturally low in fat and contain plenty of fibre to help keep your digestive system in good working order.
Watermelon
Watermelon is low in calories and contains a whole host of health-boosting nutrients, including antioxidants like vitamin C. Eating watermelon before a meal is an excellent way to provide you with a “full” feeling and reduce the amount of food you want to eat. Try eating a cup of cubed watermelon before your meal, or have a slice of watermelon between meals to curb any hunger pangs.