Eat to Lose Weight: 12 Foods that Curb Hunger, Speed Metabolism & More

Can you eat a little more but still shed some pounds? Yes it’s possible! So long as you know which foods to favour and which ones to avoid. In the past blogs, we have talked about foods that don’t just damage your health but also cause you to gain weight. Now, it’s time that we talk about the good stuff – the fat-burning foods.

Greek Yoghurt

This is the favourite snack of many dieters! It helps you burn fats because it is loaded with protein (than any other types of yoghurt). Protein stays in your stomach longer than carbs so you have to spend more calories to digest them. Not only that. It keeps you feeling full for extended periods. Add fresh mango slices or strawberries in your plain Greek yoghurt for added flavour.

Apples

Eat it with peel for extra fibre and added nutrients. For a change, spread humus on your apple wedges. You can also have pears if you don’t feel like eating apple for a day.

Green Tea

Green tea has long been popular in the weight loss niche. This healthful beverage contains catechins – pytochemicals that has a positive effect on metabolism. It is recommended that you drink 3-4 cups of green tea a day to get the most benefits.

Quinoa

Just one cup of this whole grain contains whopping 5 grams of hunger-busting fibre and 8 grams of protein. What’s more, it comes loaded with iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. Quinoa is cooked the same as rice. You can mix it with vegetables, lean meat and nuts.

Hot Peppers

Not only do they add a ‘kick’ to your favourite dish, hot peppers also help curb your appetite and slightly increase your metabolism.

Raw Vegetables

Try to eat something raw every day. Numerous studies have shown that raw fruits and vegetables provide the best health benefits. Instead of crisps and potato fries for your morning snack, nibble on carrots, celery, or cucumber. They don’t just have the ‘crunch’ but also the goodness and health that crisps don’t have.

Cinnamon

Replacing sugar and cream with cinnamon powder can save you 70 plus calories! And here’s the bonus – you get to consume plenty of nutrients too. Plenty of studies suggest that cinnamon may help stabilise blood sugar levels, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes.

Watermelon

The high water content of this fruit makes it a great hunger buster. Other fruits and vegetables in their raw form are also loaded with water so eating them on a regular basis can make you feel full without too many calories. Watermelon also contains lycopene (antioxidant that has anti-cancer properties), as well as vitamins A and C.

Berries

Like watermelon, apple and pear, berries are high in water and fibre. What’s more, they are very sweet. That means you can satisfy both your hunger and your sweet tooth! When you’re eating berries, you won’t even realise you are actually trying to lose weight! Berries are also loaded with antioxidants for a stronger immunity and better health.

Egg

Egg is very high in protein and eating it for breakfast will help keep hunger at bay for the entire day. It’s better to poach or boil eggs than to fry them. And if you have high cholesterol, ask your doctor first on how many eggs you can consume per week.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are hunger-quenching foods that are high in fibre and other nutrients. If you’re trying to lose weight, avoid eating refined grains like white rice, bread and pasta. Instead, choose whole grains like brown rice and bread, oatmeal, barley, bulgur wheat, etc.

Nuts

Yes they are high calories. But they are also high in protein, fibre, and heart-healthy fats. Eating portion-controlled nuts like almonds, pistachios and peanuts can help you lose weight. These nuts are packed with complete protein, amino acids, vitamin E and other nutrients that greatly benefit your body.

These foods are easy to find so there’s no reason not to include them in your daily diet.

If you struggle, take expert advice with our weight loss management programmes. Take online and self-managed techniques to understand your daily calorie intake and expenditure, or come in to the Southampton suite with free weekly weigh ins, advice and support when purchasing Cambridge Weight Plan products. Alternatively, if you're in a rush to fit into that suit, come in for a Quickslim Body Wrap.