Although many diets suggest a variety of foods to help you lose weight, the recommendations often focus more on low calorie counts rather than overall health. Technically, you could lose weight eating ice cream if you kept your calorie intake low enough, but that wouldn't be healthy. Instead, you should ensure you are consuming nutrient-rich foods that are low in calories. These foods may help you lose weight by assisting you in maintaining a low calorie intake and will also provide vital nutrients to keep your body functioning in a caloric deficit.
Spinach
Although spinach is low in calories, it still provides a number of nutrients that can keep you healthy. According to the nutrition information at MyFitnessPal, 3 oz. of spinach provides just 20 calories, which makes it easy to fit into a diet. In addition, spinach offers 110 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin A and 40 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. According to MedlinePlus, vitamin A provides a number of nutritional benefits, including keeping teeth, skin and bones healthy. Other nutrients found in spinach are fiber, protein, iron and calcium. Spinach is fat-free.
Eggs
Eggs are appropriate for many diets because they contain no carbohydrates and provide protein, which can help boost your metabolism. According to the online nutrition resource World's Healthiest Foods, research has also shown that consuming eggs at breakfast may encourage more weight loss than cabohydrate-rich meals -- the fat and protein in eggs may reduce your appetite by keeping you full. World's Healthiest Foods notes that eggs also contain a number of vitamins, including B2, B5, B12 and D. Eggs also contain choline, which is important in promoting brain function, notes World's Healthiest Foods.
Hummus
When you're dieting, you may find yourself tempted to snack. According to health and fitness website ShapeFit, one of the healthiest snack choices you can make is hummus. Hummus is made from chickpeas, oil, sesame seeds and spices. ShapeFit points out that hummus contains two nutrients that will help keep you full -- essential fatty acids and fiber -- and is also low in calories. Hummus is low in sugar and saturated fat but contains protein and minerals, notes ShapeFit. You can dip vegetables such as carrots and celery in hummus for a low-calorie, nutritional snack.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a healthy, low-calorie food that is purported to be so effective for weight loss that there is a fad diet based on consuming little more than grapefruit. While such a plan is unhealthy, consuming moderate amounts of grapefruit may benefit your weight loss efforts. World's Healthiest Foods points out that grapefruit is rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, B5 and C, and dietary fiber. In addition, World's Healthiest Foods notes that grapefruit may improve your cholesterol levels.
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