The Best Foods To Shed Pounds

When it comes to helping you lose weight, all foods are not created equal. That doesn't mean you are doomed to a diet of celery sticks and cabbage soup, however. Some of the foods that can help you shed pounds may surprise you. Eat more of the foods that promote weight loss--and eat less of everything else--to see a change for the better on your scale.

Dairy

When you think of dairy, the first thing that comes to mind may be ice cream cones and hunks of fat-laden cheese. Dairy doesn't have to be nixed from your diet when you're trying to lose weight. A study conducted by Dr. Michael Zemel at the University of Tennessee demonstrated that dieters who ate three to four servings of dairy foods each day lost significantly more weight than a group of dieters who ate little to no dairy. There are plenty of options to choose from that don't have large amounts of fat. Try a reduced-fat mozzerella cheese stick, a cup of non-fat, low-sugar yogurt or a cup of homemade hot chocolate prepared with nonfat milk to increase your dairy intake while decreasing the size of your waist.

Fruits and Vegetables

Most fruits and vegetables have a high volume of water and contain fiber, both of which can help to fill your stomach without providing excessive calories. The Centers for Disease Control recommends replacing some of the higher-calorie foods in your diet with fruits and vegetables to result in a net calorie loss. When you take this approach to weight loss, your plate will be full, and so will your stomach.

Avoid eating too many starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn, and eat tropical fruits in moderation, as they are very high in sugar.

Lean Meats

Protein increases satiety--the feeling that you are full. Lean meats can help you shed pounds because meat moves through the digestive system at a slower rate than many other foods, which can quell the urge to snack between meals. Meat does not cause notable blood sugar fluctuations, a benefit that helps to keep your hunger on the right course. Eat lean meats such as chicken breast, fish and extra-lean hamburger for your main course instead of fattier, more carbohydrate-laden foods, and you're likely to shed some pounds.

Nuts

Nuts are a high-fat food, which makes it seem counter-intuitive that they may help you shed unwanted pounds. However, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, eating a handful of nuts each day may promote weight loss. Nuts are rich in fiber, and the fat they contain helps you feel full--perhaps eliminating the urge to snack on fare with even more calories. The key is sticking with only a handful, which is approximately 1 oz. of nuts. Each ounce contains from 160 to 200 calories, depending on the type of nut, so measure out individual portions to avoid going overboard on this fat-fighting snack.