Diets are undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of weight loss, apart from exercising, of course. There are many variations of diets that all have their own respective foods, how we eat, how much we eat, it all depends on our diets, so people need to pay attention to them and choose only the best foods that can yield incredible results in the long run as well.
A lot of healthy foods are in diets, but there are also a lot of good underrated foods that do an incredible job in weight loss, though they are unfortunately more or less overlooked.
Below are 12 underrated foods that work wonders for weight loss.
1. Apples
Besides the obvious, an apple is fantastic at keeping unwanted kilos away too.
Being low in calories yet rich in numerous vital nutrients that all aid your weight loss journey. For example, apples are also high in fiber, and they help maintain your digestive health and not to mention how they keep your hunger in check, expertly taking out other calories as well.
2. Pistachios
These plant-based, fiber and healthy fats will keep you full for the time being with only 100 calories per 30 nuts, and as you take your time to break the ones from their shells, it makes it all the more satisfying as well.
You might usually overlook pistachios as deshelling them might make it a bit harder to eat, but it’s worth it. Every day you can pre-prepare a counted amount in bags, so if you want to leave quickly, then they’re ready to grab as a small snack on the way.
3. Almonds
With almonds, you’ll have to watch your eating as they are incredibly high in protein. Still, if you eat them wisely, they are well the trouble as one cup of almonds is nearly half the amount of your daily recommended protein and fiber, so even if you eat only a handful of almonds, it will also help to dim your hunger.
Therefore, you should try not to eat a whole cup worth of almonds at one sitting, as it contains nearly 530 calories all on its own.
4. Hard-Boiled Eggs
With only 70 calories and high-quality protein and fat. Hard-boiled eggs are a fantastic alternative to regular scrambled eggs or omelets. Not only will they decrease your chances of impulsive eating food choices, but they will also fill you up.
Even cholesterol is no problem for these eggs, so have no fear when you feel like having something quick yet healthy.
5. Oats
Although some might think of oatmeal as a pretty boring meal, with some milk and fresh fruits, oatmeal becomes a literal powerhouse of nutrients. Besides that, whole-grain meals also include soluble fiber and beta-glucan, which helps tremendously in satiating hunger levels, and carbohydrates that are released from the meal release energy at a slower pace than everyday foods.
This prevents various fats from being stored and burns them off during workouts. This meal is mostly enjoyed as breakfasts as it’s an incredible choice to kick start the day. Other than that, oats can also be used in various other ways.
6. Sweet Potatoes
For weight loss, sweet potato is one of the most underrated food items. It is rich in fiber, low in calories, and is highly hydrating. Besides helping you cut back on your cravings, sweet potatoes provide you with Vitamin A and C.
When it comes to dieting, sweet potatoes are one of the most underrated foods ever. But what people usually don’t know is that it’s extremely beneficial for your overall health, and it does even greater wonders when it comes to weight loss.
The food is rich in fiber, low in calories, and extremely hydrating while also working back your cravings. Sweet potatoes also provide you with vitamins A and C, so you really can’t go wrong with them.
7. Chili Peppers
According to a study in 2014, the compound capsaicin, which is usually found in chili peppers leads to weight loss. When consuming the said compound with every meal creates a sense of fullness and prevents you from eating too many high-calorie snacks that would ultimately lead to weight gain.
They are also known to boost up your metabolism rate, which can ultimately speed up your journey to lose weight. So if you like spicy food, don’t fret as eating peppers will help you as well. Why not try adding a little more spice to your everyday foods and with hot peppers, hot sauce, or chili flakes? That can be easily done.
8. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are high in antioxidants, and they also provide your body with tons of protein and fiber, so despite being the ultimate substitute for meat, mushrooms are also beneficial for weight loss.
Studies have also proven that consuming mushrooms can provide satiety, which leads to a lower consummation of unhealthy, high-calorie foods.
9. Walnuts
When thinking of nuts that are good for weight loss, almonds and peanuts are the nuts that usually come to mind, but walnuts are no exception. A recent study has revealed that healthy adults who regularly consume foods containing polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) may experience good changes in appetite hormones. One of these foods is walnuts.
Similarly, those who have also eaten a PUFA-rich diet have a favorable decrease in a hormone called ghrelin, a hormone that increases hunger, and an increase in a hormone peptide YY (PYY), which increases our fullness and satiety.
So why start adding walnuts to your foods too, or start having them as a snack, as they are undoubtedly good for you l with how they change and balance our hormones for the better.
10. Green Tea
This warming drink has two different purposes; not only does this beverage provide you with numerous antioxidants and other healthy phytochemicals, but it also provides us with the benefit of slightly increasing your metabolism.
So sipping tea in the evenings, instead of eating snacks, or trading in your latte for cold or hot green tea, will not only lower your usual calorie intake, but it also helps you burn some extra calories too.
Green tea is probably the closest thing you could get to a weight-loss elixir, so you better stock up now. And just remember that adding sugar to make it sweeter will close its purpose, so you better drink unsweetened.
11. Avocados
An Avocado is high in good fat and fiber, so having it in the mornings is an absolute treat as well. Adding avocados to your breakfast, such as toast, can help you feel more full and prevent your unhealthy snacking between meals.
12. Chia Seeds
With only 20 calories a teaspoon, chia seeds are full of protein, fiber, and you will also benefit from coveted omega-3 fats and fullness. These seeds are incredibly easy to incorporate into your day-to-day meals, as they’re as easy to sprinkle on your food.
