Foods that Encourage Weight Loss

Are you tired of fad diets and exhausting yourself with exercise? It can often seem like no matter how little we eat, we just can't seem to lose as much weight as we want. The key to losing weight isn't by eating a little and exercising a lot. Yes, exercise is important, but you can't starve yourself and expect your body to cope with the energy that exercising demands. That's why we've put together this article about foods that are good for weight loss.

Veggies, Anyone?

You've probably heard that fruit and vegetables can help you lose weight. Well, it's true--with one addition: eat them RAW to lose even more weight. Fruits and vegetables give you nutrients whether you eat them raw or cooked, however they are naturally more complex in their raw state. When you eat raw F&V, your body has to work just a little bit harder--using more energy!--simply to perform the digestive process. So the next time you're feeling a little hungry, just nip into the kitchen and grab some fruit or put together a veggie medley. Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, tomatoes (I know, it's a fruit), and celery are easy to handle in a raw state, so consider starting with those!

Fat: Meat Your Match!

Although red meat is healthy in moderation (say one serving two or three times a week), studies by the American Cancer society have shown that eating too much red meat can cause a person to be 30 - 40% more likely to develop cancer in the colon or rectal regions. Plus, red meat isn't considered a "lean" meat. Try to incorporate more turkey and chicken--UNfried, of course--into your meals. They are good sources of protein that will kick up your metabolism a notch. Canned tuna (in brine), salmon, and eggs are also meats to add to your "good" list.

Oats and Rice and Grains... Oh My!

Foods that are high in fiber are a great way to lose weight. In addition to making you feel fuller for a longer period of time, high-fiber foods also keep your bowel movements regular. I know—it's not very nice to think about, but you'll notice a huge difference in your energy levels which means you'll have plenty of "juice" for exercising. Some high-fiber foods include: bran cereal, whole wheat bread, brown rice, prunes, pears, pinto and kidney beans, and dried figs.

Now that you have a better idea about the foods that will encourage weight loss, you can work on incorporating them into your diet. Don't forget that while eating healthy is the first step to ensure that you aren't taking in too many extra calories, a good level of activity is imperative to help shed the weight you already have. Good luck and best of health!