by Spectrum Health
Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you have to go hungry. In fact, rather than starving yourself, eating foods that are filling but not fattening is a far more effective way to lose weight. Foods that are high in fibre or protein can fill you up without you needing to worry about weight, so here are five foods you can eat that will help you lose weight.
Potatoes
Yes, all hope is not lost. You may be changing what you eat, but you don’t have to give up this classic Irish staple. Boiled, peeled potatoes are high in carbs and low in fat, while also containing fibre and proteins. One protein in particular, Proteinse Inhibitor 2, could be responsible for appetite suppression, meaning that you will feel even fuller than you are. You may not be able to cover them in butter or cream sauces, but potatoes will open up a lot of doors for you if you’re trying to eat less.
Eggs
High in protein and full of amino acids, eggs are one of the most filling foods out there relative to their size. Apart from protein, most of the benefits an egg has to offer can be found in the yolk, so eating just the whites won’t be as beneficial as eating the whole egg. Numerous studies have found that eating eggs for breakfast will give you more energy throughout the day, which will in turn reduce the amount of calories you consume in other meals.
Porridge
Another good breakfast choice to get you through the day is porridge. While not the most popular food, porridge is very high in fibre and a great source of low release energy. This means that, like eggs, you will feel fuller for longer and be less likely to overeat fatty foods later in the day. Porridge is very low in calories and is a much healthier alternative to mainstream breakfast cereals.
Fresh Fruit
These days, many of us choose to get our fruit intake from juices or smoothies. While these can have health benefits, they pale in comparison to the benefits offered by fresh fruit. Juices in particular often sit in silos for months so that a constant supply is maintained during the off season, which means they lose many of their nutritional benefits.
Fresh fruit such as apples are high in fibre and still have the nutrients that can get lost while in storage. This means that they are not only more beneficial than their drink alternatives, but also more filling.
Nuts
One of the least appealing parts of dieting is trying to cut down on the amount of snacks we eat. Any diet site you look at will tell you that snacking is one of the main reasons for gaining unwanted weight, so finding a healthy alternative can be extremely beneficial. Nuts are one of the most popular and effective choices for this. Almonds, Macadamia nuts, and Walnuts are all high in fibre, protein, and “good fats”. This means they fill you up, while their packaging and small size make them the perfect choice for a snack that will keep you going, without worrying about weight.
There’s more to losing weight than just dieting, but knowing what foods to eat is absolutely crucial. The 5 foods we have looked at today will help you achieve your goal weight, but this is just one part of the work involved. Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle are always necessary to maintain good physical health.
