Weight Loss Power Foods

Editor's note: The following post was contributed by LIVESTRONG.COM nutrition advisor, Alyse Levine, M.S., R.D., founder of NutritionBite.




Here's a simple truth anyone can appreciate: A smart diet approach can put you on the fast-track to lose the extra pounds that feel like they'll never disappear. While watching your caloric intake is always an important part of shedding weight, the foods you eat make a big difference in the results you see. So much so, that when you combine these power foods with exercise, you experience a weight loss boost that seems almost too good to be true. Incorporate these food suggestions into a healthy diet plan, and you won’t have to wait until next summer to show off the body you want.  

This concentrated form of green tea is known for being very rich in antioxidants. Studies suggest matcha has thermogenic properties that promote fat oxidation – or in other words, help to boost your metabolism and increase your calorie burn, says Levine. Incorporate at least 2-3 cups of green tea into your daily regimen to reap its benefits. Green tea is a great substitute for coffee, soda, or herbal tea. 

It may seem like a simple food, but oat bran is more complex than it looks. Oat bran is produced by rollers that flatten the groats (whole grains that possess the fiber) and separate the flour from the bran. As a result, Oat bran is rich in fiber (7grams per ½ cup), which helps you to feel fuller longer and get things “moving and grooving” in your GI tract. This can actually help reduce bloating. The bran is also rich in protein (8grams per ½ cup), making you feel more satisfied by a meal.  Add a ½ cup or more to your daily diet by incorporating it into oatmeal, muffins, a yogurt parfait or even a meatloaf!

These small red beans are commonly used in Japanese cuisine and are rich in potassium and fiber. As a high-potassium, low-sodium food they can help reduce blood pressure and act as a natural diuretic. The payoff: It helps rid your body of excess water weight! The beans are also rich in soluble fiber. Add some to your salad for a healthy and flavorful topping or serve alongside some lean protein and vegetables for a balanced meal.

This sounds almost too good to be healthy, but you’d be surprised. This delicious snack helps promote a good night’s sleep when eaten before bedtime. The snack’s sleep promoting powers come from the fact that it's rich in tryptophan and serotonin – both of which promote feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. At least 7 to 8 hours of sleep is essential to your weight loss efforts, meaning this is an enjoyable meal that will push you closer to your goals. 

This oil is rich in MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids). These fats are heart healthy and if consumed in place of saturated fats and trans fats in your diet, may help reduce unwanted belly fat. Since walnut oil is rich in flavor, using just a small amount can go a long way in salads and side dishes. Try substituting a little walnut oil (1-2 tablesppons) for a creamy dressing on a salad or in place of a creamy sauce on pasta.  

Research shows that drinking tart cherry juice (2 servings/day) can help reduce the aches and pains you feel in your muscles after working out. This is likely due to cherries’ natural anti-inflammatory properties. Reducing post-workout aches and pains can help you stay more committed to your summer workout routine and allow you to get beach body ready!

Under-ripe bananas 

Bananas are a great source of fruit, but before they start to turn brown—and are more the greenish-yellow side—they possess a fat-fighting power: Resistant starch. Resistant starch is found in certain carbohydrates and passes through the body undigested – just like fiber. While resistant starch provides one with a feeling of fullness after eating, it does not contribute any calories to a meal because it is undigested. Other foods that are good sources of resistant starch include brown rice, lentils, beans, oatmeal, and cooked (and then cooled) rice and potatoes. Try to include at least 3 foods rich in resistant starch daily.