With the holidays in motion, it’s no secret that losing weight will be easy; in fact, it can be downright frustrating. Contrary to popular belief, weight loss is not just about exercising furiously or eating a diet of solely fruits and vegetables. Whether it’s because they speed up your metabolism or because they keep you feeling full, there are some foods that can help you lose weight, despite not being considered “healthy.”
String cheese is the perfect quick snack for any time of day – its small packaging allows for easy storage in your purse or briefcase. String cheese is naturally low in calories, does not contain carbohydrates and is a lean protein, so you will feel full without having consumed too many calories. From a nutritional perspective, string cheese provides valuable amounts of calcium and vitamin A. Please be cautious, how
ever, as string cheese often contains higher levels of sodium, it may not be appropriate for those on low-sodium diets. To help reduce the sodium content, soak it in water before eating.
Apples and pears are low in calories, yet packed with fiber, which can help you feel full and control your appetite. Furthermore, the high pectin levels in apples can help slow digestion and create
a feeling of fullness. Pears contain 12% of your daily suggested intake of vitamin C, which research suggests can help maintain a low body fat percentage. When choosing pears and apples, aim to eat organic – they’ve been shown to contain less pesticide residues.
All natural peanut butter is loaded with protein and fiber. Together, they help you feel full and maintain this feeling longer, so naturally, you’ll eat less. Research has shown that people who added 500 calories of peanuts to their regular diet consumed less at meals and increased their resting metabolism by 11%. Be cautious when choosing your peanut butter: read the ingredients and nutrition facts to ensure that it does not contain too much added sugar.
Black pepper contains a compound called piperine, which recent research has shown may increase energy expenditure and may prevent the formation of new fat cells. Before you begin sprinkling this spice on all your meals, know that this research has not been carried out in humans – more research is needed before confirming pepper’s effects on weight loss. Still, other peppers, such as jalapenos or chili peppers, have been shown to have modest effects on metabolism because of the compound which gives them their infamous heat, capsaicin.
Air-popped popcorn, in stark contrast to its cousin movie theatre popcorn, contains few calories and is full of fiber, which will help you keep you feeling full. The hull of popcorn contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that may also have disease-fighting properties. When preparing popcorn, don’t add tons of butter and salt. Instead, choose sodium-free seasonings or herbs to keep it healthy. Pesky popcorn hull, which often lodges itself between your gums and teeth, can also get caught in the stomach and intestines of those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery or who have diverticulitis, so this food may not be appropriate for this population.
As a general rule, moderation is key when it comes to weight loss: moderate exercise, moderate calorie-cutting, etc. It’s best to not make very drastic changes in your lifestyle; you want to be able to maintain your exercise regimen and healthful eating habits for the long term.
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