Don't sacrifice taste!
Just because you’re watching your weight, it doesn’t mean you have to skip out on flavor. There are plenty of tasty foods that will also help you shed pounds. Eat these 11 foods for weight loss as a standalone snack or incorporate them into your meals for a full serving of flavor without all the fat.
Avocado
Can you say yummy? This creamy green fruit is so versatile we’re always wowed with new ways to eat it. Slice it up as a topping for salad, mash it and use in place of mayonnaise on a sandwich, or sprinkle lightly with salt and scoop it directly from the shell with a whole wheat cracker. Because of its high fat content (don’t worry–it’s the good kind of fat), stick to snacking on just half an avocado at a time.
Smoothies
Perfect to sip on the go as breakfast or a post-workout pick-me-up, smoothies give you the maximum bang for your buck—a serving of fruit, veggies and protein all in one place. Be sure to make your own in the blender at home to avoid added sugar; check out our step-by-step guide for building the perfect skinny smoothie here.
Spaghetti squash
Love pasta but hate all the carbs? Spaghetti squash is a great-tasting, lighter alternative for the Italian-loving crowd. Spaghetti squash is more than 90% water, but works well with your favorite sauces and toppings to satisfy your pasta craving, guilt free.
Nut butter
Creamy and delicious, nut butter is an easy way to get a dash of protein, fiber and good fat. Spread peanut, cashew or almond butter on top of whole grain crackers or an English muffin for a healthy and filling treat. Be sure to check the label before you buy—ideally, you’ll want a nut butter without added sugar to avoid hidden calories.
Melon
If you’re fiending for a sugar fix, reach for a naturally sweet melon like cantaloupe or honeydew. Aside from being delicious, melons are largely made up of water, which will help fill you up with fewer calories than other snacks.
Apples
Granny Smith, Macintosh and Red Delicious—with so many varieties to choose from, you’ll never get bored eating an apple a day. They’re a nice source of fiber, with about four grams in a medium sized apple; that same piece of fruit contains just 80 calories. Keep one in your bag to stave off midday hunger and avoid caving to unhealthy cravings.
Chili
Filled with lean meat, protein and veggies, chili is one of our favorite flavorful dishes for weight loss. The best part? You can tweak it any way you like based of your palate and what’s in the fridge. For a good starting point, try our top-rated Momma’s Roadhouse Chili.
Berries
Raspberries and blueberries, to be precise (though any berries make a great waistline-friendly snack). Both raspberries and blueberries are high in fiber to fill you up, and they contain antioxidants that fight disease. Pro-tip: pop them in the freezer and pull them out for a sorbet-like dessert after dinner.
Dark chocolate
You didn’t think we’d leave chocolate off our list, did you?! Dark chocolate is richer than the milk variety, making it more satisfying in smaller amounts. Nibble on a square after a meal to keep your sweet tooth at bay. Bonus: dark chocolate contains antioxidants that ward off damaging free radicals.
Greek yogurt
This delicious snack is like the superman of yogurts; it’s low on fat but contains between 7 and 20 grams of protein per serving, perfect for filling you up. Save on fat by buying the plain, low-fat kind and adding your own fresh fruit, like berries or peaches, for flavor.
Water
Sure, it’s not actually a food, but water is one of the best things you can feed yourself if you’re looking to lose weight. Not only does drinking water help you to feel full all day long so that you’re less likely to indulge in high-calorie binges, but it also boosts the metabolism. Try these 7 Drink Recipes to Flush the Fat Away for an even greater boost to your weight loss.
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