Top 7 Health Foods for Losing Weight

How many weight-loss strategies have you heard? Probably dozens, if not more. To me, weight loss is all about food, stress management, and exercise. Until you get those factors in order, you are likely to have trouble losing weight. As far as food goes, there is no perfect diet that will work for everyone, but I wanted to share some foods that have helped me in the past. Focus on eating natural whole foods like my Top 7 and you’re on your way to success (just don’t forget about exercise and stress reduction!)

Top 7 Health Foods for Losing Weight

1. Apples – My favorite fruit to snack on. Since they’re crunchy and full of fiber, I can eat an apple and feel really full. Cutting an apple into slices makes it more appealing to eat, and I also recommend buying organic. If you buy a bag of organic apples, they are often pretty affordable. Snacks with low calories and fiber are a great way to keep you from snacking on bad stuff in between meals.
2. Hot Peppers - Adding hot peppers to your meals is a rewarding weight loss technique. Hot peppers contain a natural compound called capsaicin which gives them their spice and hotness. Studies show that hot peppers help curb your appetite and can also speed up your metabolism. They also help keep you from overeating during a meal. Try adding them to salsas, stir-fries, omelets, and salads.
3. Whole Grains – Preparing whole grains with your meals can be extremely helpful for weight loss. Try whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, and buckwheat to make your meals super filling without any guilt. Your body is actually more satisfied after eating whole grains than it is after eating processed bread or cereal (not really whole grains). Each bite takes longer to chew and your body gets more nutrition out of the whole grains. This means less cravings and more weight loss.
4. Almonds – Handfuls of nuts such as almonds are another favorite snack of mine. I particularly love raw almonds for weight loss because they take longer to chew (since they are so crunchy). Homemade almond milk is a perfect substitute for regular milk if you want to lose weight too. It has fewer calories and no saturated fat or weight-altering hormones. Try it in smoothies, milkshakes, or with your morning tea. Dr. Michael Roizin, co-author of You on a Diet, recommends eating a small amount of healthy fat ten minutes prior to your meals (such as a handful of almonds). The healthy fat “helps activate ghrelin, a hormone that lets you know you’re full.”
5. Water – I included water in my list of “foods” because when you’re trying to lose weight, it’s smart to consider water a food. It nourishes your body and you can use it to avoid feelings of hunger throughout the day. Many people walk around dehydrated on a daily basis. Anytime you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water before you start eating. It will help you consume less calories.
6. Root Vegetables – Veggies like carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, turnips, and rutabagas are also surprisingly helpful for losing weight. Root vegetables are naturally sweet and are therefore a big help in reducing cravings for sugar. Try making a pan of roasted root vegetables as a filling side dish (or even main course) for your next meal. They’re high in fiber and are guaranteed to keep you satisfied. Season with fresh herbs and a tiny drizzle of olive oil for flavor.
7. Greens – Last but not least, greens are the most important food that most people forget to eat. First off, green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and spinach and superfoods such as spirulina, blue-green algae, and aloe vera help your body release toxins stored in your blood and cells. Greens are alkaline foods that help balance the acidic environment inside our bodies caused by poor diet. “High acidity is usually the primary contributing cause of being overweight.” (Ref: David Wolfe, Superfoods, p. 8).

If you’ve had success losing weight with any specific foods, please leave me a comment! Let’s share ideas.

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