Losing weight by changing your diet is only effective if you eat the right foods. A diet is only effective if it can be continued for the long term. Eating the right kind of foods while dieting can help you curb cravings for unhealthy food options, have more energy to exercise and help you to create a healthy eating plan that can create healthy habits to last a lifetime.
High Fiber Foods
Foods high in fiber should be included in any healthy diet. High fiber foods not only help to relieve and prevent constipation, but they can be beneficial to weight loss because they help curb appetite by making you feel full longer after a meal. High fiber foods include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Beans are a wonderful source of fiber and can easily be added to any meal by using them to replace half the meat in a recipe or added to a salad. Enjoying a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit in the morning can keep you full for several hours. Try and start lunch and dinner with a small salad (or make a meal out of a salad filled with veggies). Snacking on foods high in fiber, such as apples, raspberries and raisins, is an excellent way to add valuable nutrition to your diet and help suppress the desire for more calorie-dense foods.
Foods with High Water Content
Snacking can make or break any diet. Many people are tempted to snack after dinner when they are unlikely to burn off the extra calories. Choose foods with high water content, such as melons, to snack on late at night. Melons are easily digested and low in calories so they will not contribute to late night weight gain. Blend up some cut watermelon in a blender for a fat-free smoothie. Increase salad bulk by adding extra veggies or fruit rather than extra protein. Add high water content vegetables, such as tomatoes and zucchini, to pasta dishes to increase the bulk of the dish without adding many calories. Keep a container of cut cantaloupe, watermelon or a bunch of grapes in the refrigerator to eat when you are tempted to sneak a less healthy option.
Eat More Fish
Fish is a wonderful source of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids and a wonderful lean protein that can be prepared in a variety of ways to make a low-fat meal feel like a fine dining experience. Salmon is readily available in most local grocery stores and is extremely simple to prepare. Tilapia is often available in the frozen food section if it is not available fresh and is a mild-tasting fish that goes well with nearly any flavor combination. Eating fish as a main course (for either lunch or dinner) several times a week offers many health benefits and can be effective as part of a healthy weight loss plan.
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