Low-calorie Foods For A Diet Plan

Although dieting can be difficult and may seem complicated, there's only one rule you need to follow--eat fewer calories than you burn each day. If you're extremely active, you may find this easy to do. However, if you have a slower metabolism, your calorie level may have to be quite low to produce weight loss. Unfortunately, many indulgent foods are high in calories. Thankfully, there are a variety of low-calorie options available that taste great and may help you feel full. Before beginning a diet program, consult a medical professional.

Soup

According to Allure magazine, soup is one of the best diet foods you can eat to lose weight. Soups that are broth-based and contain vegetables, rather than those that are cream-based with or contain cheese, tend to be lower in calories. According to Allure, consuming soup before you eat a meal can help you eat less during the meal. The magazine suggests that soup makes you feel fuller than some other foods, and recommends trying chicken and vegetable soup to help you lose weight.

Egg Whites

Although egg yolks do contain some nutrients and fat, which can help you feel full, they are high in calories. Instead of whole eggs, eat egg whites, which are lower in calories and contain zero carbohydrates but still offer protein. Protein can be helpful for dieting, according to research from the March 2009 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity." That publication found that higher protein diets produced higher rates of body fat reduction than lower protein diets.

Tuna

As fitness and nutrition expert Matt Weik points out, tuna has several advantages for dieting. Tuna is high in protein, which may aid in your weight loss efforts, and is very low in fat and carbohydrates. In addition, tuna is inexpensive and comes in convenient, portable cans. Weik also notes that tuna contains several vitamins and minerals and is versatile--it can be eaten out of the package, on a salad, sandwich or crackers for a quick snack.

Grapefruit

Although grapefruit contains sugars, which most diets tell you to avoid, Allure magazine points out that this fruit may help you lose weight. The magazine notes that research indicates consuming grapefruit leads to a higher rate of weight loss than adding grapefruit juice or a placebo juice. Grapefruits are not very calorie-dense, but they do contain a lot of water, which can help you feel full. In addition, grapefruit and other fruits contain fiber, which also promotes feelings of satiety.

Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken is similar to tuna in that it is high in protein and low in fat. In addition, chicken is also sold in cans and can be inexpensive. Chicken is versatile and doesn't have an overwhelming flavor, which means it can pair well with a variety of seasonings.