Diet for Rapid Fat Loss

Diet for Rapid Fat Loss
Photo Credit Todd Warnock/Lifesize/Getty Images

According to MedlinePlus, 66 percent of all adults in the United States are considered to be overweight or obese. Eating too much or lack of exercise will contribute to weight gain. In order to maintain your current weight, you need to burn the calories that you eat. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you eat. You can accomplish this by eating healthy low-fat, low-calorie foods and being active. To lose weight rapidly, you need to burn many more calories than you eat.

Healthy Foods

The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are very low in calories and fat, making them a beneficial part of a rapid weight-loss diet. It is also recommended that you eat plenty of whole grains and low-fat dairy.

Benefits of Breakfast

The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day rings true with increasing your rate of weight loss. According to MayoClinic.com, eating breakfast reduces you hunger later in the day, preventing you from overeating. Breakfast gives you energy that keeps you active, burning more calories throughout the day. By eating a healthy breakfast, you are more likely to make healthy food choices for the rest of the day.

Coffee for Weight Loss

Drinking coffee may give you a small boost to lose weight more rapidly, according to MayoClinic.com. Although there is no concrete proof that caffeine aids weight loss, there are theories as to how it works. Caffeine may suppress your appetite, causing you to cut back on the food and calories you eat. It is also possible that caffeine stimulates thermogenesis, helping to burn calories, reports MayoClinic.com.
Plain coffee contains only 2 calories and has no fat. However, you should avoid coffees that contain sugars and fats, such as whipped cream, sugar and full-fat milk products.

Healthy Snacks

Eating healthy snacks can help you stay full in between meals. You should be careful, however, not to overindulge, even with healthy snacks. In order to maintain rapid weight loss, learn how to recognize a healthy, 100-calorie snack. According to MayoClinic.com, 1 cup of bananas and raspberries, 2 cups of carrots, 3 and 1/2 cups air-popped popcorn and 2 domino-sized slices of cheddar cheese are each healthy 100-calorie snacks.

Portion Control

Learning portion control will cut your caloric intake, thus speeding up your weight loss. You can use a food scale to measure your food, or you can familiarize yourself with what a portion looks like. For example, a serving of fish is 3 ounces, or about the size of a deck of cards, reports MayoClinic.com. A serving of cereal is about 1/2 cup, or the size of a hockey puck. Using smaller bowls and plates makes smaller portions look larger.

References

Article reviewed by Mary Bland Last updated on: Nov 10, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments