One of the biggest problems that many dieters face is not knowing the proper foods to eat. With so many fad diets, magazines and other publications pushing the latest diet on nearly a weekly basis, it's easy to understand why a diet can be confusing. Luckily, dieting doesn't have to be hard as long as you stick to foods that are low in calories and high in other nutrients.
Fish
If you want to lose weight, you need to make fish a diet staple in your home. Fish is a low-fat food that contains just as much protein as most red meat choices. One thing that separates fish from other protein options is its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats are considered to be the building blocks of your body. By consuming plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, you'll get to take advantage of the healing powers it presents as it works to correct the damage that has occurred because of your previously poor eating habits. Fish also contains far less calories than the red meats you may have eaten instead.
Pink Grapefruit
If you are looking for a fruit that can really fill you up, the ruby red grapefruit is what you want to add to your diet. A 1-cup portion of grapefruit can be eaten in the morning as part of a balanced breakfast or you can enjoy it as your mid-morning snack. Pink grapefruit contains no fat and is rich in calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. If you find grapefruit to be a little on the boring side, try slicing it up and eating it as part of a fresh fruit salad.
Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables provide you with an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. They are also rich in antioxidants that help ward off the effects of aging and fights diseases. Choosing vegetables that have high water content, such as cabbage, spinach or broccoli helps fill you up. If your diet is leaving you hungry, add some extra greens to your meals.
Green Tea
Green tea is an excellent choice for dieters, even though it doesn't technically qualify as a food. This delicious drink contains catechins that help to speed up your metabolism. One nice thing about green tea is that, although it speeds your metabolism, it will not cause your heart rate to speed up or lead to any other jittery side effects. Green tea is also loaded with antioxidants, which helps protect your body from high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and other serious diseases and illnesses.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Drugs.com: Grapefruit
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
- "Healthy Foods: Fact versus Fiction"; Myrna Chandler Goldstein; 2010
- "The World's Healthiest Foods"; George Mateljan; 2007
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