11 Surprising Foods for Weight Loss

Food!  The number one stumbling block to any fitness success.  Here are 11 foods that you CAN incorporate and get the results you want!

Eggs:  Overweight adults who ate two eggs for breakfast lost 65 percent more weight (and felt more energetic) than those who started the morning with an equally caloric bagel, recent studies show. Other findings reveal that egg-eaters consume 300 fewer calories per day, adding up to a loss of three pounds per month. Eggs help level out blood sugar, provide energy-boosting protein and are full of nutrients.

Sauer Power: The fermented cabbage called sauerkraut contains a “friendly” bacteria proven to enhance digestion, speed up weight loss and boost immunity. Rich in vitamins and potassium, sauerkraut has only 27 calories per serving. Stuff it in your sandwich, heat it as a side dish or load it onto a baked potato.

Spuds:  “Potatoes got a bad rap during the low-carb craze, but they are a perfect weight loss food – a blend of nutrients, fiber and protein with a low-calorie price tag,” says Jessica Smith, Wellness and Nutrition coach. One baked white potato (with skin) offers six grams of protein, and over 1,500 mg of potassium, for under 300 calories. Top it with salsa or veggies and low-fat cheese for a starchy side dish or snack.

Go Greek:  Rich, creamy, filling…and healthy?  Talk to anyone who has discovered Greek plain yogurt for breakfast or dessert will tell you it’s easy to forego those midnight fridge raids (not to mention the midmorning snack attack). “It’s so delish that I like to cap off the night with yogurt instead of ice cream,” says Kara Wiley, star of the “Element: Slim and Tone Pilates” DVD.

Quinoa:  Deemed “the supergrain of the future” by Deborah Klein, author of 200 Superfoods That Will Save Your Life (McGraw Hill), quinoa is a high-fiber and high-protein replacement for rice that’s packed with nutrients (and gluten-free, to boot).  “Since this grain is so high in fiber, giving you more satiety per chew, quinoa can help prevent overeating and thus help with weight loss,” says Klein.

Artichoke: Artichokes are the perfect weight loss food, an amazing source of fiber.  One boiled artichoke has 150 calories, with over 10 grams of protein and plenty of calcium and folic acid.

Barley:  As you’ve probably concluded, fiber is your friend when it comes to weight loss. Barley’s packed with the stuff, helping food digest smoothly as it curbs hunger for hours. The whole grain has promoted weight loss for 2,500 years, even impressing ancient physicians who endorsed it for shedding pounds way back in the day.  

Black Beans:  Above and beyond their antioxidants, they regulate blood sugar to stave off cravings and bouts of overeating.

Paste:  Canned tomato paste is a great weight-loss food, providing five grams of dietary fiber per half-cup.  Nutritionists recommend using a can to thicken spaghetti sauce and tortillas.

Flax:  Here’s where a little addition to your food results in subtraction…on
the scale. “Ground flaxseed is the number-one key food for weight
loss,” says Klein, pointing to its high amount of fiber. “Sprinkle two
tablespoons a day on top of cereal or fat-free yogurt to give you more
for your chew.”

Almonds:  Eating more (and better snacks) is key to any weight-loss strategy, making you far less likely to gorge on belt-busting meals. So enjoy 10 almonds with a piece of fruit.