Ideal diet foods contain nutrients that are good for you, have properties, such as low glycemic response, that help keep you from getting hungry and are low in calories. There is a wide variety of such foods, and it is important to have a balanced diet to get all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Mix diet foods from various categories to gain the most from the foods while keeping your diet balanced. Consult your doctor before beginning any new diet regimen.
Proteins
Protein is important for cellular repair of hair, skin, muscles and body organs. It is also needed for growth and development. The best proteins are low in saturated fat and contain other beneficial ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish is a lean protein that contains omega-3 fatty acids, and can help reduce blood pressure, reduce risk of blood clots and is heart healthy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fish is a low-calorie and low-fat protein.
Eggs are rich in choline, a nutrient linked to brain function, and are a source of high-quality protein, CNN reports. They also contain other vitamins and nutrients such as folate, B12 and riboflavin. The average egg is around 75 calories, which makes it a high-quality low-fat protein option.
Vegetables
Veggies make great diet snacks because they are low-fat, high in fiber, contain vitamins and are low in calories. Vegetables that contain the highest fiber quell hunger pangs by giving you that full feeling. They also take more time to chew --- and the slower you eat, the more time the brain has to signal the body that it is full. This means you eat less and feel fuller longer, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Carrots and other orange vegetables are "skin-friendly" foods, according to Mayo Clinic dermatologist Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson. They make good low-calorie snacks because they travel easily and are finger foods that can be eaten anywhere.
Spinach and other green leafy vegetables make perfect diet foods. They are low-calorie, high in fiber and make you feel full.
Mushrooms are 90-percent water and filled with immune-boosting compounds, CNN reports. With only 18 calories per cup, you can snack on these or use them to add flavor to any dish, including salads and proteins.
Fruits
Fruits contain fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Blueberries are "skin-friendly" and contain antioxidants that may reduce age-related neuronal deficits, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. Blueberries have only 42 calories per half-cup and are high in fiber, the U.S. Department of Agriculture adds. Throw a few in a bag for snacking on the road or in the office.
Berries of any kind are perfect diet foods. They are low-calorie, but have high nutrient value and make great snacks.
High-water-content fruits make you feel full, but are low in calories. Grapes, watermelon and other melons are mostly water and taste great. They can be added to salads or just used as a snack.
Papaya is packed with vitamins C, A and B, according to a 1936 study by the Nutrition Laboratory Hawaii Agricultural Experimental Station in Honolulu. One cup has only 55 calories. Papayas are exceptionally sweet and make a good dessert option for anyone with a sweet tooth.
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