The best way to lose weight is to eat foods that you actually enjoy. Instead of depriving yourself with a fat-free, gluten-free, sugar-free and taste-free diet, you should take delight in planning fun, nutritious meals that will satisfy your appetite and help you slim down.
But what if you aren’t sure where to get started? What should you be piling in your basket during your next trip to the grocery store?
Here is the best way to lose weight:
1. Chili Peppers
Some like it hot! Chili peppers are full of capsaicin, a spicy compound that will encourage weight loss by boosting your metabolism and burning through fat more quickly than usual. Chili peppers can also act as an anti-binging tool if you have a problem with cravings; you’re less likely to feel hungry with a tingling mouth. The sensation acts as a natural appetite suppressant. Whether you’re throwing them in a stew, putting them on a burger or mixing them with some stir-fry, chili peppers are the best way to lose weight without having to down capsaicin tablets by themselves. Don’t be afraid of the burn!
2. Almonds
The only bad thing about almonds is that they can pack on the calories if you eat too many at once. If you know how to limit yourself, however, they’re great sources of fiber, protein and healthy fats. They’re also easy to work into even the strictest of meal plans; if you don’t like snacking on them as raw nuts, you can add them to butters, ciders, smoothies, cereals and salads. Sometimes, the best way to lose weight isn’t with a crazy diet plan. It’s with small, subtle changes like adding some almonds to your dinner casseroles.
3. Eggs
Eggs are tiny foods that pack a big punch. For starters, they offer seven grams of protein, six grams of fat and almost two grams of carbohydrates. They’re also low-calorie if you keep them out of frying oils; a large egg will only run you between 70-90 calories, so you’d have to eat the whole carton before you even approached the levels of a Big Mac or Starbucks coffee. Last but not least, there have been actual scientific studies about the way that eggs can help you lose weight. Two groups followed a meal plan, and the people who ate eggs with every breakfast dropped more weight than the people who didn’t. The results speak for themselves!
4. Salmon
You’ve probably heard people gushing about omega-3 fatty acids, but do you understand what they actually do? In addition to improving heart health and boosting brain function, omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to help with weight loss. They can suppress your appetite and improve your digestion so that your metabolism always operates at full efficiency. Salmon isn’t the only source of these compounds, but it contains some of the highest levels out there, so it’s worth considering a trip to the seafood aisle if you’re trying to slim down. Salmon is the best way to lose weight with omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also much tastier than just taking a fish oil supplement every day!
5. Bananas
Rich in everything from fiber to potassium, bananas will be a great addition to your diet. They’re packed with the vitamins and minerals that you need to kick-start a good workout at the gym, and they can also regulate your appetite, lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk for certain types of cancers. They’re also an extremely versatile food! You can eat them plain, blend them into smoothies, chop them up for oatmeal or even bake them into brownies. Having different options is important if you don’t want to get sick of eating the same foods every day. Variety is definitely the best way to lose weight.
6. Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes get a bad reputation for being starches, but sweet potatoes are in a league of their own. They contain so much Vitamin A that a single serving will give you 438 percent of your daily recommended value, and they’re chock-full of fiber, manganese, and potassium to boot. They’re also good for controlling your blood sugar, and a steady glycemic index will keep you from snacking too much or feeling too hungry between meals. If you want to lose weight, consider sweet potatoes. They aren’t the boogeyman. They’re a secret weapon for a great body!
These are just a few foods that you might want to have in your pantry as you aim for a slimmer, trimmer waistline. At the end of the day, the best way to lose weight is by feeling confident about what you’re putting into your body. Throw out the junk food and unhealthy snacks. Clean eating starts in your own kitchen!