There is no one food source that promises weight loss, according to the textbook "Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance." There are, however, dietary changes you can make, adding or eliminating certain food groups to help promote weight loss and muscle building. Diet foods come in a variety of types, but most are high in nutrients, low in calories and provide as many organic and natural vitamins and minerals as possible.
Fruit
Fruits are one of the most common diet foods on the market. They are especially beneficial because they come in several varieties, are often found fresh and without preservatives, and serve as a healthy replacement for baked sweets. The most healthy fruits are those which are organic; canned fruits and fruit juices contain preservatives which eliminate a lot of naturally-occurring nutrients that are found in whole, fresh fruits. "Try switching out your sweets with fruits. Every time you have the craving for something sweet, or dessert, opt for some fresh fruit and see how much more energy you have and see how your body will change for the better," registered dietitian Kim Dorval said. "The other good thing about fruit is that there are so many types of fruit out there that you won't get bored and you can really mix up the way you eat your fruit."
Vegetables
Vegetables are another diet food which are low in calories, high in fiber and low in fat. The more vegetables you incorporate, the more likely you are to lose weight, have more energy and feel fuller during your meals. Vegetables also prevent excessive weight gain because they are low in calories but can be part of a meal or eaten as an entire meal, such as in a salad or sandwich. "Vegetables are the counterpart to fruit. You should aim to add plenty of different vegetables to your diet if you really want to get healthy and feel some real differences in your body," Dorval said.
Lean Meat
Lean meats are low in fat and high in protein, making them a very beneficial diet food. Lean-cut meats are also very filling, which helps prevent overeating and excessive caloric intake. Leaner meats include turkey and turkey-based products, chicken and certain fish. These meats help provide you with energy, build muscle and can be eaten as a snack or as an entire meal. "Lean meat is a wonderful diet food because it's a food group that gives you a lot of versatility and is low in carbs and fat," Dorval said.
References
- Kim Dorval, RD; Nutrition in Motion; Bedford, NH
- "Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance"; William D. McArdle, Frank I. Katch, Victor L. Katch; 2006
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