The cornerstone of successful weight loss is embedded in developing lifestyle habits that incorporate a consistent exercise regimen with healthy food choices. However, there are a number of foods that contribute to faster weight loss due to their ability to stave off hunger and maintain satiety for longer periods of time. Protein-heavy foods that take a longer time to be broken down and absorbed in the digestive tract, as well as foods with more bulk for fewer calories or hot and spicy foods that generate heat and increase metabolism, are the best choices for faster weight loss. A study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" states that isoenergetic servings -- servings with the same amount of calories -- of different foods differ greatly in their satiating capacities.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is the optimal breakfast food because it consists of soluble fiber in the form of beta glucans, which gel in the stomach. This type of fiber is gentle on the digestive tract and increases satiety because it expands in the gut and slows digestion. Additionally, oats contain a level of protein that increases the time of digestion.
Egg Whites
The mass of the egg white consists of 90 percent water, which adds bulk without additional calories. Egg whites consist of 40 types of proteins as well as a number of essential ingredients, such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. Combining egg whites with veggies and spices in an omelet makes for a nutritious low-calorie meal.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural diuretic that promotes muscular contractions of the large intestine, otherwise known as peristalsis, that allow for the cleansing action of the body. Garlic has also been shown to break down fat and lower cholesterol levels.
Chili Peppers
Peppers contain the chemical capsaicin, which speeds up heart rate and metabolism and increases body temperature. Capsaicin can attach to SERCA, a muscle protein, and change the pumping activity so it is "uncoupled" and therefore generates more heat, which burns more energy.
Vegetable Soup or Broth with Veggies
Hot meals or snacks tend to fill you up faster, especially if they are liquid-based. According to a Penn State University study, soup is an appetite suppressant because it's made up of a hunger-satisfying combination of liquids and solids. Eating low-calorie soup before a meal can help cut back on how much food you eat at the meal. Results showed that when participants in the study ate a first course of soup before a lunch entree, they reduced their total calorie intake at lunch by 20 percent. The key to the choice of the right kind of soup lies in the ability to choose one that is not cream-based, because cream based soups tend to pack on the pounds.
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