In a UK survey on how many individuals have gone on diets, 33% reported they’ve included more fruits and vegetables in their diet, while 29% said they’ve started cooking healthier meals.
More people are following diets that don’t just promote weight loss, but provide adequate nutrition too. Despite what most people believe, dieting shouldn’t be restrictive, instead, weight loss programmes should be holistic. They should take into account the nutritional needs of your body to encourage weight loss while promoting improved health outcomes.
Fortunately, there are foods which are both rich in nutrients and low in calories. Classified as superfoods, this mix of fruits, vegetables and whole grains make great fitness companions. They not only contain essential vitamins and nutrients, but they can also aid in burning body fat.
Here are a few of the best superfoods to include in your weight loss plan:
Barley
Barley is a cereal grain which is high in dietary fibre. While this makes it ideal for maintaining a healthy digestive tract, barley can also promote weight loss. Eating barley will keep you fuller for longer, meaning you can keep hunger at bay and avoid breaking your diet. Moreover, you can easily add barley to your oatmeal bowls or porridges.
Broccoli
Another superfood that’s full of fibre, broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable. Vitamin C, folate, and potassium are some of the healthy compounds found in this superfood. More than that, because broccoli has high levels of fibre and water content, consuming it creates a satiating effect on your appetite. Consider incorporating broccoli powder into soups and pasta dishes to enhance their nutritional value.
Kimchi
Kimchi is a flavourful, low-calorie option for those looking for a bit more kick in their meals. Usually, it is made from a vegetable (the most common ones being cabbage, radish and green onion) that’s fermented and seasoned with salt, onions, garlic, ginger, and chilli pepper. Because of the capsaicin found in chilli peppers, kimchi allows you to boost your metabolism and burn fat stores. This superfood is flexible as well, you can eat it on its own or in soups and stews.
Kale
Kale is a leafy vegetable which is full of vitamins. It is also beneficial in weight loss as it’s very low in calories. Along with high levels of vitamins such as calcium and manganese, kale also offers your body a great dose of fibre. Adding kale power to your snacks, smoothies are ideal, will keep you full and healthy.
Apple
Apples are rich in fibre and low in calories— in fact, a medium-sized apple has less than 100 calories. Because apples have a lower glycemic index, they can also promote steadier blood sugar. This fruit then allows you to curb your appetite since low blood sugar levels urge us to eat more frequently. Apples are very versatile too, so you can place a few slices with your granola mix or on top of salads.
Berries
Berries contain a substantial amount of soluble fibre, making them more filling. Different berries also have varying nutrient profiles, for instance, goji berries are high in antioxidants and vitamins. Additionally, these berries have a noticeable impact on reducing body mass index and visceral fat. For reference, a 30 gms serving of goji berries only has 2e calories. You can easily include goji berry powder into your oatmeal bowls to reap all the benefits.
For more insights on which superfood you should try next, check out our latest posts at Cutetonic.