It’s easy to sit here and tell you to eat healthily to lose weight, but what is considered healthy? Years ago, margarine was marketed as being a “healthy alternative” to butter. Nowadays, thanks to the advancements in modern technology, we know that it is one of the unhealthiest ingredients ever created and that natural butter is good for us.
Because there is so much misinformation floating around out there with regards to healthy eating, we feel a little transparency is necessary. If you’re looking to lose weight, here’s a look at 4 must-have foods to include in your nutritional plan.
Salmon
Salmon is a fatty fish, rich in healthy oils. It is packed full of essential fatty acids that promote numerous aspects of health and wellness. For weight loss, this fish is ideal. Sure, it may be high in calories, but providing you to track your calories and don’t consume more than your body needs, you will lose weight.
The fats found in salmon help to boost the metabolism, which allows you to burn off more calories and convert them into energy. As well as that, salmon is also rich in protein, which has a thermogenic effect on the body. Protein is harder for the body to breakdown than other macronutrients, which means that the body needs more energy to digest it. As well as that, it also stays in your stomach for longer, so you feel full for longer.
Leafy green vegetables
Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, and more, are also ideal for people looking to lose weight. These veggies are nutritional powerhouses that are loaded full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help to, amongst other things, speed up the metabolism, so you burn off more calories.
They’re also rich in soluble fiber, which promotes satiety. Soluble fiber breaks down when it comes into contact with water and forms a thick paste that swells and expands within the stomach. This, in turn, keeps you feeling full as well as that they’re virtually fat-free and are very low in calories.
Oatmeal
If you’re looking for a healthy food to start your day with, oatmeal is perfect. Oatmeal is low in fat, its another great source of fiber, it’s surprisingly rich in protein, and it contains B vitamins and minerals such as iron, which also help to promote a healthy metabolism. For people looking to lose weight, oatmeal is great because it provides a slow and gradual release of energy, which helps regulate blood glucose levels.
Eggs
Eggs, and yes, we also mean egg yolks, are another food that is great for shedding those unsightly pounds. Whole eggs contain healthy fats that boost the metabolism, they’re rich in muscle-building protein, they’re a complete protein source as they contain all essential and non-essential amino acids needed by the body, and they’re also high in essential minerals such as choline, which is excellent for the brain.