The key is to eat foods that are high in nutrients and help your body keep blood sugar low. To avoid dieting and lose weight naturally, stick to whole plant-based foods that are full of nutrients and you'll be satiated, nourished, and have more energy to burn calories rather than store them.
The next time you're out shopping, add these 7 foods to your list:
Grapefruit: This sour fruit is known as a “weight loss fruit”. In a 12-week study, obese participants ate half a grapefruit before meals and lost on average 3.5 pounds, with no other changes in their calories or workouts. The results suggest eating grapefruit before other food may help you feel satisfied and eat fewer calories overall.
Avocados: While avocados are calorie-rich and high in fat, monosaturated fat is actually healthy and can help you burn more fat for energy. Plus, avocados are tasty and filling. In a study published by The National Institutes of Health, researchers explain: "It’s not just the satiety value of the avocado or the monounsaturated fat, but there is a sugar [in avocados] called mannoheptulose, and this sugar helps the way your body uses the insulin [which] helps to reduce insulin resistance." So essentially avocado is a perfect combination of fat, fiber, and healthy whole carbs that signals your body to burn more fat naturally.
Extending The Lifespan of Your Avocados: Here's a helpful solution to extending their lifespan by a month or so. Read on...
Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables: Foods such as kale and spinach are high in fiber and extremely low in calories. They help you feel full while providing all the nutrients you need.
Boiled Potatoes: In a study measuring the satiety level of different foods, boiled potatoes ranked number one because they fill you up and leave you satisfied. And while they are high in carbs, they are also full of beneficial nutrients.
Beans and Legumes: For a clean plant-based protein supply, start eating beans and legumes like lentils, kidney beans, and chickpeas. Legumes are good specifically because they are high in magnesium. One study explains: "A diet that regularly includes legumes may help with weight control. The fiber, protein, and slowly digested carbohydrate found in legumes may aid in satiety."
Chili Pepper: Studies have found that spicy or hot foods boost your metabolism because they contain a compound called capsaicin that heats the body and burns more calories. A great way to get the compound capsaicin is chili peppers. Add more to your diet and you can speed up your metabolism.
Chia Seeds: For the most fiber per ounce, go for chia seeds. They may be tiny, but they pack a punch. Just one ounce contains 11 grams of fiber and 4 grams of plant-based protein. Find out more about the Surprising Health Benefits of Chia Seeds