Foods to Eat While You Are on a Diet

If you are on a diet, you are probably already being conscious of the sizes of your food portions while limiting the amount of fat and calories you are consuming. One thing that is important to take note of is that what you eat should be as important as the amount of food you are eating. Adding the right foods to your diet will provide your body with quality fuel and set you in motion to reach your goals.

Orange Vegetables

Orange vegetables, such as pumpkin, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes are diet foods that will fill up your stomach while providing your body with the nourishment it needs. These vegetables have a high fiber content and are full of carotenoids, potassium and vitamin A. The carotenoids help keep your blood sugar levels stable, helping your body shed weight. Sweet potatoes can take the place of a regular baked potato as the sweetness is accentuated by the baking process. The sweetness in the potato gives it plenty of flavor and helps you avoid the desire to add sour cream, salt and butter.

Whole Grains

When you consume whole grains, it takes a long time for your body to fully burn off all the energy they contain. Like orange vegetables, this assures your blood sugar remains levels and that less carbohydrates are stored in your body as fat. Whole grains are also rich in fiber, while some grains are good protein sources. When you combine the two, you remain full over the course of several hours and help your body eliminate bad cholesterol from your bloodstream. Brown rice and oatmeal are excellent choices as are quinoa and cooked bulgur wheat.

Citrus Fruit

Eating citrus fruit like grapefruits and oranges give you a good source of vitamin C. This vitamin has qualities which aid in the fat-burning process, such as diluting and reducing the effectiveness of the fat contained in the foods you eat. When the fat you eat becomes diluted in the body, your body is able to flush it out much easier. When you add citrus fruits to your meal plan, you will experience the benefits of a faster metabolism.

Fish

Most varieties of fish have tons of protein. Some of the healthiest fish options are actually high in fat. These fish include salmon, sardines and trout. Although they are high in fat, it is actually good fat known as omega-3 fatty acids, which helps you lose weight at a faster pace. Fish is naturally flavorful so adding the butter and sauces that you may be used to is not necessary when you broil, grill or bake it.

References

Article reviewed by Contributing Writer Last updated on: Apr 4, 2011

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