We all know that eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep helps us to not only feel good and have adequate energy but also generally lose excess weight.
However, there are also some foods and drinks said to be particularly beneficial if you want to move a few pounds – some of which might come as a surprise.
If, like many of us, you don’t like the number you see on the scale or how your clothes fit after spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might be ready for a change in diet. Here are some key items to stock up on.
Eggs
Eggs had a bad rap for years as it was thought they significantly raise the level of LDL-cholesterol (the “bad” type) in our bodies. However, it’s really only a very high intake of the food, and in some people, that this seems to occur. Today, for weight loss, more and more people eat whole eggs to lose weight because their food is high in protein and good fats. Eggs are satisfying and help people to feel fuller for longer.
Plus, another benefit is that eggs are nutrient-dense (when eating the yolks, not just the eggwhites). While eggs are good at any time of the day, they’re an excellent choice for breakfast instead of munching on refined carbohydrates like bagels, white bread, or sugary cereals.
Pulses
To fill you up and give you many of the nutrients you need, thereby assisting with weight loss, eat more pulses. This term refers to lentils, chickpeas, peas, and beans (e.g., black beans and kidney beans). Eat these regularly, and you should feel satiated and less likely to snack on things you shouldn’t.
Plus, you’ll get a good fix of the protein and fiber content you need daily. Pulses contain a high amount of soluble fiber. This type is beneficial because it can slow down digestion and absorption and help your body release the hormones that tell you when you’re full. Furthermore, pulses have a low-glycemic index, meaning they won’t send your blood sugar levels soaring crazily. And better yet, all the protein in pulses should help you to get stronger and have a more robust immune system, which in turn will make it easier for you to stay active.
Apple Cider Vinegar
When it comes to liquids that can help your weight loss progress, you might like to try including apple cider vinegar into your routine. Increasing numbers of people are having this morning and/or night since it’s believed to help prevent weight gain. The vinegar contains acetic acid. This compound may decrease insulin levels, suppress appetite (from slowing stomach emptying), burn fat, improve metabolism, and reduce fat accumulation in the liver and belly.
Since apple cider vinegar isn’t the most pleasant tasting substance, and the acid in it can potentially cause tooth problems, it’s essential to consume the liquid sparingly and with or followed by water. Alternatively, add it to your diet in another way. You can buy affordable chewables online that contain the vinegar, such as those found at https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/apple-cider-vinegar-gummies-60-gummies/gln0001.
Leafy Greens
Eating leafy greens is a great way to obtain many essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients you require daily. However, foods such as spinach, kale, swiss chards, collards, and some other leafy greens are also helpful when trying to lose weight.
Since they are so low in calories and carbohydrates, yet loaded with fiber, they’ll increase the volume of your meals without adding unnecessary bulk and calories. The fiber will help keep you regular, and some people believe that this food group also aids fat burning.
Salmon
To stay fuller longer, you must get enough protein in your meals. Salmon is an excellent source of this. It is also high in iodine, which is required for proper thyroid function. Since the thyroid keeps the metabolism running properly (amongst other things), this makes salmon well worth putting on your shopping list.
Also, we’ve heard often in the last few years that it’s essential to consume enough omega-3 fatty acids for brain health, to fight inflammation, and for overall wellbeing. Salmon is an excellent source of these “good fats.” With inflammation said to play a role in metabolic disease and obesity, adding more omega-3s to your diet will help you keep your weight down in more ways than one.
The above list is a sample of items to stock up on if you’re looking to shed a few pounds. It also pays to consume things like berries, avocados, cruciferous vegetables, nuts, green tea, and vegetable juices. The more variety of clean foods and drinks you get in your diet, the better you should soon look and feel.