10 Winning Foods For Dieters
10 Winning Foods For Dieters
Losing weight can be challenging and there are so many choices, it's hard to sometimes decide what is healthy and what isn't. If you are looking for a sample of a food menu and need to know which foods are the best, then read on. Here you will learn about 10 foods which can be a dieter's best friend.
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
Low-fat cottage cheese can make a huge difference to anyone looking to shed a few pounds. It’s low in fat, carbs and calories, while remaining high in protein. One-half cup of cottage cheese contains 15 grams of protein, nearly the same as 2 ounces of poultry, fish or cooked lean meat.
Cottage cheese is also very versatile, so if you don’t care for the taste by itself, you can add in fresh fruit to sweeten it up a bit.
There are very few foods which are as healthy as cottage cheese. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, low-fat cottage cheese is also loaded up with Vitamin D and calcium, both which contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Eggs
Eggs, like low-fat cottage cheese, are low in fat but high in protein. The fat that eggs do have is the right kind of fat. From the 5 grams of fat per egg, only 1.5 grams is saturated fat. If you’re worried about cholesterol, don’t be quick to dismiss eggs. The American Heart Association acknowledges that an egg a day is acceptable as long as you limit dietary cholesterol from other sources.
Many experts believe that saturated fats and trans fats have a bigger impact that dietary cholesterol in raising blood cholesterol. Eating an egg will make you feel fuller and curb your cravings for unhealthy snacks. Next time, why not reach for an egg instead of the chips.
Blueberries
By now, most people have heard about the many benefits of eating blueberries. Luckily, they are readily available and great for a mid-morning or a mid-afternoon snack when you need an energy boost. Blueberries contain load of antioxidants, which are thought to be important in reducing free radicals that can cause cancer and speed up the aging process.
According to researchers from the USDA Human Nutrition Center, blueberries are ranked number 1 in antioxidant activity when compared with 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Blueberries are perfect for the dieter because they are tasty, low in calories and high in nutrition.
Walnuts
These are among the healthiest foods you can eat. Rich in fiber, magnesium, B vitamins and antioxidants like Vitamin E, they are also one of these best plant sources of protein. Walnuts have also been shown to lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).
Since nuts in general are high in fat, eating in moderation is the key. About 20 walnut halves (equivalent to 1.5 oz per day) is about the recommended serving of these tasty treats. Walnuts can be eaten alone as a snack or as toppers for salads, pasta, oatmeal and an almost infinite variety of dishes.
Spinach
Rich in vitamin C, fiber, carotenoids and iron, spinach is a nutritional powerhouse. Known to protect against cancer and heart disease, it’s hard to beat this food. Spinach is tasty as a side dish (sautéed in a bit of olive oil and garlic) or as a foundation for a great salad. It’s naturally low in calories and is high in flavor as well as nutritious.
Sweet Potatoes
These naturally sweet vegetables are tasty and available almost year-round. Sweet potatoes have significant antioxidant qualities, in addition to being excellent sources of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They also help fight inflammation and can help with diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sweet potatoes keep you feeling full for hours, which make the calories worthwhile. Sweet potatoes also have a low glycemic index, which means it breaks down slowly during digestion. It has been shown that lowering the glycemic load of the diet appears to be an effective method of promoting weight loss.
If you have a sugar craving, consider having a warm, baked sweet potato to curb your sweet tooth.
Watermelon
This tasty summer fruit is rich in potassium and Vitamin C. Watermelon is also a very good source of lycopene, which is preventative for a variety of cancers.
Watermelon is naturally low in calories, so it’s the perfect no-guilt treat. If you’re hungry for something fresh, juicy and sweet, watermelon is a great choice.
Salmon
Loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, this delicious pink fish can be served in a multitude of ways. Salmon contains a significant amount of the important omega 3 essential fatty acids, which are important in reducing unwanted inflammation and keeping our immune and circulatory systems healthy.
Salmon has plenty of protein, so it’s filling and healthy to boot. Definitely a winning food!
Goji Berries
Although you might not be familiar with this tasty berry, it’s so packed with vitamins, nutrients and protein, it is definitely a winning food.
These berries, also known as wolfberries, contain 18 kinds of amino acids, have more Vitamin C than oranges, more beta carotene than carrots and more iron than steak. Along with the ability to protect skin from sun damage they also help fight heart disease.
Goji berries can help in weight loss because they are high in fiber and also have a low glycemic index. They can be enjoyed as a snack by themselves, or in tea, juice, bars of cereal.
These berries are jam-packed with health benefits and are certainly worth a try.
Oatmeal
A large number of studies have shown that eating oatmeal can lower your cholesterol and help reduce your chance of heart disease. In addition, recent studies are showing that oatmeal may also help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. For those reasons, oatmeal should be a regular part of a healthy diet.
For a dieter, oatmeal can also help you lose weight. The soluble fiber in oatmeal absorbs a large amount of water which slows down the digestive process, making you feel full longer.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so start your day with oatmeal to add to your healthy lifestyle.
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