Best Foods For Losing Weight
There are multiple components to an effective weight loss program.
And all of which are SUPER important.
This is why, after talking about the best EXERCISES for losing weight last week…
I want to talk about the best FOODS for losing weight this week.
(and if you haven’t read Best Foods For Losing Weight yet, I would definitely recommend doing so either before or after you read this one)
Most of you probably know the importance of proper nutrition for weight loss already.
So I won't spend TOO much time talking about it…
All I WILL do is gently remind you that it is very difficult to lose weight by relying on exercise alone.
I’m going to say (or write I guess) this again just in case you missed it…
It is VERY difficult to lose weight by relying on exercise alone.
Damn near impossible actually.
So if your goal is to lose weight, nutrition (unfortunately) is not something that you can afford to ignore.
If you do, you risk…
having a very hard time losing weight
Potentially not losing weight at all
Making this a very arduous process
(I went to college so I could use that word btw)
So now that we’ve established that nutrition is important, let’s dive deeper into the topic of food/nutrition.
What are the best foods for losing weight?
AKA, what foods are the most effective at getting you to your weight loss goals?
The answer to this question is very specific to each individual person.
For example, if you absolutely hate chicken breast, then chicken breast probably isn’t going to be an effective food to help you lose weight.
This is why, when talking with my online coaching clients about nutrition, I don't give them rigid programs with specific foods that they HAVE to eat.
Meal plans like this are historically ineffective. Because if you don’t at least SOMEWHAT enjoy the foods you’re consuming, the likelihood of you sticking to the program drops drastically.
So instead of speaking in absolutes, I’m going to be a little bit more general with my choices for ‘best foods for losing weight.’
Meaning I’m not going to tell you that you NEED to be eating chicken and rice everyday to lose weight.
I promise ;)
So let’s get into it.
Number one on the list of best foods for losing weight is going to be…
LEAN PROTEINS
These are going to be your leaner cuts of meat primarily…
chicken breast
ground chicken
lean ground beef (90/10 or better)
lean ground turkey (93/7 or better)
lean cuts of steak
fish (tilapia, cod, and flounder are great examples)
^salmon is also a great option it’s just a little higher in fat which means a little higher in calories
These are such effective foods for losing weight for a few reasons.
The first is the protein aspect.
As I’ve mentioned before on my social media and in previous articles (follow me @KevinFinnFitness btw :)
Protein is the most satiating macronutrient.
This means that between protein, fats, and carbohydrates, protein keeps you feeling full for the longest.
And this is super important if your goal is weight loss, so getting enough protein is key.
The other aspect is, notice I specified “lean proteins,” not just any protein.
Disclaimer: this is NOT me saying that fat is bad for you, nor that it will make you fat.
However, protein and carbohydrates are both 4 calories per gram.
Fat is 9 calories per gram.
So with the goal of eating less calories overall in order to achieve a calorie deficit in mind…
(And achieving a calorie deficit is the ONLY way to lose weight or lose fat)
Eating leaner proteins, or proteins with less fat, is going to help you eat less calories overall and achieve your weight loss goals.
Number two on the list of best foods for losing weight is…
FIBER
Okay I promise this isn’t me telling you to shit more so that you lose more weight…
Fiber has great properties that aid in weight loss, unrelated to the fact that helps with your bowel movements (aka shitting).
(It is also important for that reason though btw)
Fiber is also very effective at keeping you full for longer.
And it does so without adding a ton of calories.
This is what makes it such an effective food for losing weight.
(Side note that fiber is important for multiple things besides weight loss, including heart health)
Here are a few high fiber options that I both use and recommend…
oatmeal (or oats/whole grains in general)
almonds
chia seeds
popcorn (yes, popcorn!)
beans/peas
some fruits (bananas, apples, and raspberries among others)
broccoli
This certainly isn’t every food that is high in fiber, but it's a few that I use and recommend highly!
Number three on the list of best foods for losing weight is…
LESS-REFINED/LESS-PROCESSED CARBOHYDRATES
You may be noticing a trend at this point…
But this is another example of a food that keeps you fuller for longer.
And… carbs don't make you fat!!
Less-refined carbohydrates are extremely important for weight loss because they are relatively low in calories (depending on the carb) and they keep you full for a long time.
The key here is less-refined or less-processed options.
Refined carbs have much less staying power than less-refined options, so sticking to less-refined carbs can be super important for someone trying to lose weight.
There is no need to fear carbs, simply focus on less-refined options and make sure you’re measuring your portions!
Also, if you are trying to lose weight, you should be including some physical activity/exercise consistently throughout the week.
Carbs are super important for giving you the energy to exercise and move more!
So there is more to the importance of carbs than just their satiating nature.
Most peoples ‘issue’ when it comes to carbs is consuming highly processed/highly refined carbs and/or over-indulging (a serving of pasta much less than the amount you get served at Olive Garden unfortunately)
Here are a few awesome less-refined/less-processed carbohydrate options…
whole wheat/multigrain bread
rice (brown OR white)
quinoa
whole wheat pasta
oatmeal (again!)
Number four on the list of best foods for losing weight is…
FRUIT
This is another one that certain ‘influencers’ may have tried to convince you is the devil, or that it somehow makes you fat.
I’m here to tell you, this is not the case…
As a matter of fact, fruit can be a great option for someone trying to lose weight or lose fat.
While all fruits are certainly not created equal, there are multiple fruits that taste great and are low in calories!
And it goes without saying but, there are a ton of nutrients in fruits that make them valuable for more than just their weight loss properties.
Here are some of my favorite low calorie fruit options…
watermelon
strawberries
cantaloupe
peaches
raspberries
blackberries
apples
blueberries
And finally, number five on the list of best foods for losing weight is…
VEGETABLES
You didn’t think you were gonna make it through this article without me telling you to eat your veggies, did you?
And the reason why isn’t exactly rocket science
Vegetables as a whole are extremely low in calories.
Much more so than any other foods typically.
And while veggies aren’t quite on protein or carbs level in terms of satiety…
Certain veggies that are also high in fiber can actually be quite filling (see that, fiber makes a comeback!)
So, not to sound like your parents but…
EAT YOUR VEGGIES!
Here are some great vegetable options…
spinach
lettuce
broccoli
potatoes (yes potatoes are a vegetable in case you forgot ;)
carrots
cauliflower
celery
bell peppers
And the list goes on and on…
So, there you have it.
That is a complete list of some of the BEST foods for losing weight.
I’m sure I missed some, but this article has plenty of awesome options. Feel free to reference it for yourself or your friends!
If you made it through this whole article, thank you!!
Please feel free to leave me a comment, shoot me a DM, or email me with any questions you have! I’m always happy to help!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope this helps you and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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AND if you’re interested in losing fat, gaining muscle, improving your nutrition and your overall fitness, check this out for more information on coaching!
https://www.kevinfinnfitness.com/onlinecoaching
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