50 Foods That Help Lose weight

Top 50 Foods That Help Lose Weight 2014

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Top 50 Foods that help lose weight

The best way to lose weight is through a healthy, low-calorie diet and plenty of

exercise. But if you want to speed the process along, try incorporating some of these foods

into your meals. Not only do they relieve water retention, but they also help to stave off

cravings, boost your metabolism and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Almonds

Not only are almonds packed full of skin-boosting vitamin E and protein, but their

high fiber content stops you feeling hungry. In 2007, researchers at Purdue University also

reported that – despite the fact they are relatively high in calories – almonds themselves do

not contribute to belly fat. Swap out your usual mid-morning snack for a handful and see if

it makes a difference.

Leafy Greens

The quickest way to flatten a stubborn stomach? Include a portion of leafy green

vegetables at every meal. Kale, spinach and romaine lettuce are all extremely low in

calories, full of fiber and offer several vital vitamins and minerals that help to ease water

retention without causing the bloating and discomfort that some other vegetables might

do.

Oats

Oats are filling, which makes it hard to believe that they can help you lose weight.

But eating a portion in the morning for breakfast as part of a low-calorie diet is a great way

to provide your body with slow-release, natural energy throughout the day, which keeps

you feeling fuller for longer and can even lower your cholesterol.

Olive Oil

Mad but true – fat CAN help you to lose weight. Poly unsaturated fats like those

found in olive oil can stave off hunger pains, while olive oil itself contains a naturally-

occurring chemical called oleic acid, which aids the breakdown of excess fats in the body.


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Beans

Each tiny bean is packed with nutrients, including protein and fiber, while remaining

low in calories and full of slow-release energy. This means you’ll feel fuller, while the high

protein content will help firm up your muscles and keep you toned. Swap out burgers for

burritos, and beef chilli for bean chilli.

Peppermint

Peppermint is known for its potent healing and calming digestive properties, so if

you’re looking to slim down your stomach, it makes sense to start including it in your diet.

The easiest way to do this is to drink it in tea form, so pick up a box from your local

supermarket (organic if possible) and try drinking three cups a day. Great for clearing the

skin, too!

Green Tea

Addicted to your builder’s brew? It may be time for a change. Swopping to green tea

has been found to assist the body in flushing out excess fluids, helping to calm bloating

around the stomach caused by water retention. What’s more, it has been found to speed

up the metabolism, which can aid the burning of excess fat in the body.

Kelp

Kelp or seaweed is prized for its high levels of iodine which helps to create the

thyroid hormones in your body. These regulate your metabolic rate – the rate in which your

body burns fat. It also contains several minerals which have been found to assist the

breakdown of belly fat and relieve water retention. Source it out in Japanese supermarkets

or pick up from health food stores in a supplement form.


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Apple Cider Vinegar

If you’re looking for a quick fix body detox, try adding a few capfuls of apple cider

vinegar to your meals. It acts as a digestive tonic, helping to slay off harmful bacteria in the

intestines, flush out toxins and relieve water retention around the stomach. Try adding

some to vegetables during cooking or as a dressing over salad.

Cranberry Juice

As well as high levels of antioxidizing vitamin C, cranberry juice has fantastic diuretic

properties. This means that it encourages the body to get rid of excess fluids through

excretion (going to the toilet). Swap out your morning OJ for a glass of sugar-free, all

natural cranberry instead.

Asparagus

Asparagus is often considered a luxury vegetable, and not without good reason. Each

spear is packed full of vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, as well as containing high levels of

skin-clearing zinc and potassium, which assists the removal of excess fluids from the body.

Asparagus has long been used to treat inflammations such as arthritis and rheumatism too.

Tomatoes

Delicious, full of antioxidants, AND they help you to lose weight? Tomatoes are

definitely among our favorite fat-fighting foods. Tomatoes have been found to reduce

inflammation and water retention in the body, as well as reversing leptin resistance. Leptin

is a type of protein which helps to regulate metabolic rate and appetite, so our bodies rely

on it to shed those extra pounds


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Garlic

It might make your breath smell a bit, but each clove of garlic is packed not just with

toxin-battling antioxidants, but also a naturally occurring chemical called allicin. When

digested, allicin reacts with the blood to create a product capable of killing off many

harmful bacteria and viruses that your body may be harboring – including in the digestive

tract. A healthy gut it essential for achieve a flatter tummy – try adding a few raw cloves to

your food just before serving to get the most out of it.

Chilli

Adding chilli to your food is a great way to boost your metabolism, which helps you

to burn fat faster. A single chilli pepper also contains a full day’s supply of beta carotene

(which is great for maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails) and twice your recommended

daily allowance of vitamin C – an essential antioxidant that helps to battle toxins and

foreign bodies in the blood stream.

Bananas

Contrary to what some people believe, bananas contribute to weight loss NOT gain.

Eating a banana is not just a great way to provide your body with skin-healing zinc, brain-

powering slow release energy and filling fiber, but can also help you to relieve water

retention thanks to the high levels of potassium they contain.

Melon

Half a melon contains almost twice as much potassium as bananas does, making it a

low-calorie, high-antioxidant alternative that can aid the removal of excess fluids around

the body. Cantaloupe melon also offers twice the recommended dose of vitamin C too,

which will help to support your immune system and keep your skin in tip-top condition.


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Cucumber

Believe it or not, cucumbers are actually a member of the melon family, and

therefore have very similar slimming properties. It is a natural diuretic, which means

consuming it eases water retention and bloating in the body. Why not make a slimming

watercress, bean, and mint and cucumber salad for a powerful tummy flattening lunch?

Watercress

Watercress is jammed full of nutrients, including vitamin B1, B2, B6, C and E, as well

as minerals manganese, carotene and potassium. This makes watercress a powerful

cleansing agent, improving the digestion and nourishing the skin, while its diuretic

properties help to flush out toxins and excess fluids. Watercress is also a fabulous source of

iodine, which helps to boost your metabolism, so it makes sense to include it in your diet if

you’re striving to achieve a flat stomach.

Fennel

This liquorice-flavoured root vegetable is packed with vitamin C, potassium, and

manganese and has long been used as a remedy for digestive problems. Thanks in part to

its high dietary fiber content, it promotes healthy digestion, reducing swelling in the body,

flushing out toxins and excess fluids. Fennel tea can also help to stave off hunger pangs, so

pick up a box from your local health food shop and get slurping.

Berries

Tiny but mighty, berries are stuffed full of antioxidants and fiber – just one cup of

raspberries contains a whopping 6g. Plus, they’re low in calories too. Add a handful into a

healthy smoothy or sprinkle over your breakfast cereal.


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Cinnamon

A sprinkling of cinnamon could be all that’s standing in the way of you and that

washboard abs. The sweet spice helps to regulate soaring blood sugar levels by stimulating

insulin production. There is some evidence to suggest that cinnamon extract also makes fat

cells more responsive to insulin, which means they’re much less likely to hold on to excess

energy, and far more likely to burn existing fat stores instead.

Lemongrass

A key ingredient in many south East Asian dishes, lemongrass is thought to have an

anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive system, as well as improving blood circulation. It

is also thought to aid the body in dealing with excessive fats in the body.

Ginger

Ever wondered why your sushi comes with a side of ginger? The spicy root has been

used for centuries as a digestive aid, because it possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea

and antioxidant properties. It also contains an enzyme called zingibain, which helps digest

proteins.

Artichoke

Artichokes are rich in fiber, thus helping to speed the digestive process up and relieve

bloating in the abdomen, while containing relatively few calories. Artichokes are often

recommended by nutritionists for the treatment of digestive disorders, like IBS, too.

Brown Rice

If you’re looking to flatten and tone your belly, you should aim to eat a complex

carbohydrate that is rich in muscle-strengthening protein and vitamins, like brown rice. It’s

better than white rice, because it contains a rich supply of energizing B vitamins, which

could help you burn calories faster.


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Peanuts

Peanuts get a bad rep in the diet world, but eating a small handful as a snack in

between meals could stop you from overeating, and give you the protein you need to carve

a lean, flat stomach. Peanuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fiber, as well as skin-

conditioning vitamin E.

Avocado

There is a reason why guacamole exists beyond it being darn tasty! Avocado is often

paired with spicy food because it soothes the digestive system after it is irritated by the

heat. Avocado also contains potassium, which helps to regulate fluid balance, as well as

magnesium, which prevents constipation.

Quinoa

Did you know that, when she wants to get into shape for a shoot fast, Kate Moss eats

quinoa instead of cereal for breakfast? That’s because it’s what is known as a complete

grain, combining protein, fiber, B vitamins and complex carbohydrates all in one. Eating

grains like quinoa will help to boost your metabolism, and burn belly fat faster, as will…

Couscous

Couscous, another nutritious grain. Opt for whole meal, rather than yellow couscous,

as it will keep blood sugar levels at a steady rate by releasing energy more slowly.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds contain a bountiful supply of dietary fiber, which could fill you up for

longer and keep sweet cravings at bay, while easing digestion at the same time. They are

packed full of antioxidant vitamin E, too, which is essential for skin health, as well as protein

and complex carbs.


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Pistachios

If you’re looking to trim down your belly, then pistachios, together with almonds, are

one of the best nuts you can snack on. They are lower in calories and fat than most other

nuts, while remaining high in protein, fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals.

Natural Yoghurt

Pro-biotic, live natural yoghurt can help to relieve bloating and discomfort in the

stomach, because it contains live bacteria that aid digestion. Opt for a low fat option to cut

down on saturated animal fats, too.

Mackerel

Eating plenty of oily fish is a good idea if you want to tone up your tummy, because it

is high in protein and low in ‘bad’ or saturated animal fats. It is also a rich source of omega

3 and 6 fatty acids, which are crucial to proper brain function. Slimmer AND smarter?

Sounds good to us…

Salmon

Salmon, much like mackerel, is a good source of lean protein, and a rich source of

omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Grill or steam with a bit of lemon and serve with asparagus for a

powerful belly-flattening meal.

Papaya

Papaya contains a naturally-occurring enzyme called papain, which aids the digestion

of protein. It can also help to break down food faster, easing bloating and flattening out

your belly in no time.


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Pineapple

Much like its tropical cousin, pineapple boasts a digestive enzyme that helps to ease

bloating, settle your stomach, and even relieve heartburn. It’s high in natural fruit sugars, or

fructose, which could stave off sweet cravings.

Black Pepper

A simple way to prevent bloating and discomfort after eating: Add a bit of freshly

ground pepper to your meal. It’s a natural digestive aid, and helps to relieve bloating at the

same time.

Celery

While it is a myth that celery is a minus-calorie food (that it takes more calories to

digest it than it does to eat it) it is still a detoxing stem that can reduce water retention and

help to purge your body of toxins.

Lentils

Eating a couple of portions of lentils a week could help you to flatten your tummy,

because they’re a cost-effective way to pack in a lot of different stomach-strengthening

nutrients at once, including fiber, complex carbohydrates and proteins.

Peppers

Red peppers, like their hotter chilli cousins, are thought to have a soothing effect on

digestion, while giving the metabolism a kick in the process. As a sweet vegetable packed

with vitamin C, too, they can also fend off sweet cravings when they strike – the perfect

weapon against belly fat


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Liquorice

It’s better for your flat stomach drunk in tea form than eaten as sugary confectionary,

but the digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits of liquorice are not to be sniffed at.

Pears

The high pectin (natural fruit sugars) content contained within pears makes the juicy

fruit a strong diuretic and good at fending off unwanted water retention. They are high in

fiber, too, which encourages a feeling of fullness and healthy digestion.

Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut seeds, leaves, bark and flowers have been used for centuries to treat

numerous conditions and diseases, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic

properties. Drink in tea form to reap the belly flattening rewards.

Leeks

High in potassium and vitamin C, eating leeks is a quick and easy way to relief excess

weight around the stomach caused by water retention.

Yarrow

Yarrow might be a common weed to some, but taken in tea or tablet form, it’s a

powerful diuretic and has anti-inflammatory properties, great for maintaining a healthy

digestive system.


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Dandelion

Similarly, if you are looking to lose water weight caused by retention, try drinking

dandelion root tea, or an herbal tea that contains dandelion as an ingredient. It is a natural

diuretic, and will help your kidneys to flush out excess fluids and sodium. Consider adding a

few squeezes of…

Lemons

Lemon to your herbal infusion as well. A well-known detoxifier, it’s a great natural

weapon against water retention and could help you achieve a flatter stomach.

Peaches

Peaches are great for restoring balance to an upset or bloated stomach, as they have

both laxative and diuretic properties due to their alkaline nature.

Juniper Berries

No wonder gin is often drunk as a digestive after a meal. Juniper berries, which are

used to create the alcoholic beverage, have stomach benefits that include diuretic and

detoxifying effects.

Artichokes

Artichokes have long been used to remedy digestive disorders and bloating. The

edible buds are particularly high in a natural compound called cynarin, which helps the

body’s natural detoxification process by encouraging the regeneration and stimulation of

bile in the liver. It’s also a well-known diuretic.