Weight loss foods are abundant to help you lose the weight you want. It may not feel like it, as there are so many "weight gain" foods like chips, cookies, and ice cream. The important thing to do is build the foundation of a good nutrition guide that you follow day in and day out.
Here are 10 weight loss foods that helped me lose more weight than I gained during my first pregnancy.
1. Protein Shakes
Protein shakes helped me jump start my weight loss journey. It's very easy to throw together some organic berries, half a banana, a handful of spinach, a scoop of flaxseed and protein powder, milk, and a squeeze of agave in a blender. I just mix to create my delicious breakfast. I start the day off on the right foot, and lunch and dinner tend to follow suit.
2. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are super healthy for you. I try to work them in at every meal, including breakfast. See above.
They are a nutrient dense food but with low calories. You give your body the nourishment it needs while keeping your total caloric intake low.
Work them into your meals. Eat a large salad before you devour the rest of your meal. You may find yourself getting full with salad, and saving yourself 100-200 calories by not eating a fatty piece of meat or high calorie pasta.
3. Any Other Vegetables
Include other vegetables into your meals and snacks. Veggies like carrots, broccoli, peas, and red bell peppers. We eat with our eyes too and when your plate looks colorful, it makes the meal more visually appetizing.
4. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are great sources of protein. It may have more calories, but when you keep it to a handful per serving, it's a great addition to your meal or snack.
Try making a homemade trail mix. I like to combine almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, pretzels, peanuts, and a small amount of chocolate chips. I get a boost of protein to get me going through the day.
5. Peanut Butter
I love peanut butter. I can make it for a quick snack over whole grain toast. I sometimes throw in a tablespoon into my morning shake. It's so versatile.
It may be higher in fat, but it's the fat that is good for you - mono-unsaturated fat. So, a tablespoon here and there is not going to make your total caloric intake go over the edge.
6. Beans and Lentils
I tried veganism for a while, and switched to beans and lentils for my protein. It wasn't a bad switch at all!
I got the protein I needed for not a lot of calories. Plus, the fiber content helped keep me full longer, so I wasn't constantly snacking on foods.
7. Whole Grains
I stopped eating white rice, white pasta, and white bread. It was hard at first. I loved white bread!
But, once I got used to eating better, I preferred feeling my flat stomach over the short lived taste of white bread. Whole grains contain more fiber and nutrients. The fiber keeps you fuller longer, and doesn't cause your blood sugar levels to spike like the white rice, bread, and pasta.
What's great about a stable blood sugar level is that you don't get that ravenous feeling when your blood sugar plummets. This is when over-eating can occur.
8. Fruits
Some diets would have you skip out on fruits because of its sugar content. But, over the long term, this isn't such a great idea.
Imagine for dessert you had some fresh organic berries instead of a chunk of chocolate cake. Which would be a better choice for your waistline?
Also, it's easy to eat fruit. Just rinse and eat. There is no preparation and you get all the nutrients that fruit provides you.
9. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is my second option for breakfast. It's super easy to make. I throw some almond or soy milk, berries, a scoop of flaxseed, and that's it!
It's super healthy, keeps me full, and gives me energy to start the day.
10. Chiles
Chiles are a great addition to your diet. It has a thermogenic effect, so your body burns more calories after you eat it. I personally love spicy food, and it's a great reason to add a chile or two to my meals.
There are many weight loss foods to choose from today. Take what you love to eat and incorporate it into your daily meals. Eating healthy is 75% of the battle to lose belly fat. It's much easier to control what foods you eat, than it is to exercise the calories away.
Eating well is only part of the equation. See how exercising to burn fat combined with a healthy diet helped me lose 58 pounds after pregnancy.
Kristine Kay helps moms lose up to 25 pounds of belly fat in 90 days without military exercise, starvation diets, or expensive diet pills. Subscribe to her free newsletter at http://www.FatLossForMoms.com and get instant access to exclusive tips of her all natural approach to losing weight and keeping it off. Losing weight after pregnancy just got easier.
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