8 foods that are great for weight loss and why

Sep 07, 2020
Grapefruit is a good choice if you're watching your weight. Source: Getty.

What are the best foods for weight loss? That’s the question on everyone’s lips these days. And, as it turns out, when it comes to weight loss, some foods are better than others. So if you’re looking to lose weight, here are eight foods you may want to consider incorporating into your daily diet.

Avocado

Want to lose weight? Add more avocados into your diet. They’re a great source of fat, which can help keep you feeling full for longer — and can ultimately lead to weight loss. Avocados also include a lot of good-for-you and essential nutrients like niacin, riboflavin, copper, magnesium, manganese, and antioxidants.

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Avocados come with a number of health benefits, including weight loss. Source: Getty

Protein-rich foods

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, a good plant-based protein such as hemp seeds is important, because, as we all know, protein can help with weight loss. Legumes like chickpeas and beans are another good source of protein, not to mention, they’re also high in dietary fibre, which is essential for gut health. However, if you can’t get your protein through food, there are supplements out there like Rejuvin8tion, a plant-based protein powder, that can get the job done.

The recommended daily amount of protein for an average male is 56 grams per day, while for an average adult female 46 grams of protein per day is suggested. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the right amount of protein for an individual also depends on lifestyle factors like age and physique.

Oatmeal

It’s one of the best foods to eat in the morning, and for good reason. It’s packed with filling fibre and slow-burning carbs. Oats also contain B vitamins, which can help with stress relief. Increased stress may result in more fat around the mid-section. Top with blueberries, bananas, strawberries or dates and dig in!

Porridge is made up of filling fibre and slow-burning carbs. Source: Getty.

Maca

Ever heard of maca before? It’s a root vegetable that’s usually sold in powder form at health stores. It’s rich in fibre, protein, magnesium and amino acids, which play a role in almost every system throughout the body. While maca does not directly help you lose weight, it does boost energy, which may help you have a better workout.

Apple cider vinegar

The benefits of apple cider vinegar have been praised by health experts for years. According to several studies, apple cider vinegar can be very useful when it comes to weight management. In fact, if taken at the same time as a high-carb meal, it can increase the feeling of fullness and reduce appetite. Apple cider vinegar is also known to reduce blood sugar spikes after meals, which may have beneficial long-term health effects.

Apple Cider Vinegar
The health benefits of apple cider vinegar are huge. Source: Getty

Chilli peppers

Eating spicy foods like chilli peppers may help reduce appetite and increase the fat-burning process in the body. This is due to capsaicin, an active component of chilli peppers. When isolated, this substance is used in weight loss supplements. Spicy foods also have thermogenic properties that help to boost metabolism.

Chia seeds

These tiny black seeds are loaded with fibre, omega-3 fatty acids and various micronutrients that may help reduce appetite and help keep you feel in between meals. They also expand in water to further help with hunger.

These tiny black seeds are good for you too. Source: Getty.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit contains 92 per cent water, which makes it a great choice if you’re watching your weight and want to boost your intake of nutrients. According to a study, eating half a grapefruit before a meal will help you burn fat. In fact, recent findings suggest that an antioxidant in grapefruit called naringenin may act like lighter fluid in the liver, prompting the organ to burn fat faster.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.