Trying to lose weight? Well if you are, please do not stop eating. That is the worse thing that you can do. Starvation diets can result in serious complications and disrupt the natural harmony of the bodily functions. It is thus not a healthy option to drastically change your diet by eating too less or not eating at all. Moreover, you are bound to regain the weight you lose by the end of the diet anyway, so let's talk about sustainable lifestyle changes that will produce long-term effects rather than short-term efforts than go in vain.
The best way to lose weight is by exercising and lowering your calorie intake but there are other ways too. Knowing which foods can help you burn fat, can do wonders for your weight loss goals. Add the following foods in your diet and you will look and feel healthy and slim like never before:
1. Citrus fruits
The best time to have citrus fruits is during breakfast as not only do they reduce fat by making great low-fat substitutes, they provide you with revitalizing energy to kick-start your day as well. Citrus fruits provide the body with quick energy to enhance its metabolism. Additionally, they are also rich in vitamin C, which is a perfect example of a fat burning agent as it boosts your fat metabolism.
Fruits are excellent choices for fat burning because they are natural and are packed with minerals and vitamins and also have a high water content. Thus, they have a very low calorie content and enhance metabolism by reducing cholesterol levels.
Some examples of citrus fruits include grapefruit, oranges, lemons, kumquats, tangerines, tomatoes, cherries, plums, raspberries and grapes. Mix these fruits up and make a fruit salad making your breakfast more lively, colorful and tasteful. You can also try to maintain a ‘citrus fruit only’ breakfast if you are aiming at burning fat around your waist and hips.
2. Vegetables
Many vegetables except for sweet potatoes, potatoes and yams contain very low calorie content and also contain vital vitamins and minerals that are healthy for the body and aid in quick fat loss. If you are fan of potatoes, cook them or bake them with their skin as their skin is a rich source of fiber.
Include vegetables like spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, lima beans, artichoke, cabbage, cucumbers and carrots in your meal plans as they are packed with minerals and contain fewer calories at the same time. Vegetables do not contain fats and are low in carbohydrates. Cucumber makes an excellent salad component as it contains low calories, low carbs and fat, and a very high water content.
Cook your vegetables in a way that would preserve their goodness. Therefore, it is advisable that you steam, boil or stir fry them to in healthy fat substitutes such as olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sesame oil or sunflower oil.
3. Oats
Oats make a healthy breakfast because they are richer in insoluble fiber than any other nutrient. The fiber allows you to feel fuller and more satisfied with your meal, thus suppressing you hunger for a long period of time. Consuming food with high fiber content is an excellent way of burning fats from your body.
4. Lentils
Also known as edible pulses, these foods give you a sense of satiation and are also low in calories and rich in minerals. They are also rich in proteins and amino acids and are widely consumed in countries like India, in the form of lentil soups or broths. Ground lentils can also be used to make delicious foods, so be creative and come up with your own healthy recipes! They are rich in fiber and contribute to the reduction of bad-cholesterol levels, thus improving heart health as an added bonus!
5. Poultry
If you are a non-vegetarian, you were probably waiting for something meaty to kick into this list. Poultry is an excellent meat item as it is low in carbohydrates, fats and rich in proteins. Proteins are good for weight loss as they require a greater expenditure of energy to be digested and stored. Red meat, however, is a bad fat contributor; therefore, it is ideal to replace it with lean meats as much as possible. Consume lean cuts and avoid the skin as it is has a high fat content.
6.Fish
Fish is an excellent source of ‘good fats’ such as omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids, which are excellent weight loss agents. They also contain a low calorie, fat and carbohydrate content and are rich in essential proteins. Salmon, trout, mackerel and tuna are excellent fish varieties that are rich in good fats and make excellent meals for lunches and dinners.
7. Nuts
Almonds and walnuts make great snacks to satisfy your hunger between meals. A fistful of nuts is a perfect substitute for faster varieties such as junk foods, chips, burgers, hot dogs and fries. Almonds and walnuts are rich in healthy fats. Keep in mind that eliminating healthy fats from your diet just because they are ‘fats’ will increase your weight rather than the opposite.
And last but not least, remember to drink plenty of water. Water is the only consumable substance that actually does not have any calories. Although not counted as food, it is an excellent weight loss supplement. Water has many functions in the body that aid in fat loss. It helps in metabolizing food products and also the draining out of harmful toxins and food remains from the body. Having water regularly can suppress hunger and thus, help in fat reduction.
For more information about beauty, health and exercise tips, feel free to contact us at Sheniko Beauty Store.
