Foods That Promote Weight Loss

We’ve all been told that cutting calories will help us lose weight; however, where your calories come from matters almost as much as how many you get. While low fat has always been toted as the best way to go, there are many other types of food that are helpful in losing weight as well.

Fresh, unprocessed foods
If you think about it, our bodies were designed to eat natural foods. Our digestive systems have evolved over many years; preservatives and artificial chemicals have existed for a comparatively short amount of time. The foods our bodies digest and use most efficiently are natural and unprocessed. This is why you should try eating fresh foods as much possible. It is also recommended that many of these foods be eaten raw because it preserves the healthy active enzymes in fruits and vegetables.

Dairy
Incorporating low fat dairy products into your diet helps you lose weight faster than just cutting calories. A good way to get enough dairy is through yogurt. Not only do they usually come in portioned controlled cups; yogurt also contains good bacteria that helps improve your overall health.

Low sugar
When you eat sugar, your body’s response is to immediately release insulin to lower your blood sugar levels. With high-sugar foods, your body can overreact to glucose levels and produce too much insulin. This lowers your blood sugar; making you hungry again much sooner than low sugar foods. Instead of sugary snacks, choose foods higher in protein and fiber. These foods absorb more slowly, making you feel full longer.

Spicy foods
When we eat foods that are really spicy, we tend to eat less. Some studies suggest that appetite suppression is due to capsaicin, a chemical found in many spicy foods. Others attribute this effect to strong flavor of these foods being less palatable.

While cutting calories and getting appropriate amounts of exercise are both important, incorporating some of these foods into your diet may just give you the boost you need to finally shed those extra pounds.