16 Healthiest Weight Loss Foods, According to RDs

By Ghuman

Introduction

When it comes to losing weight, it can be difficult to know which foods to choose. Fortunately, Registered Dietitians (RDs) have identified the 16 healthiest weight loss foods that can help you reach your goals. These foods are packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can help you feel full and energized while still helping you lose weight. From lean proteins to fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, these foods can help you create a balanced diet that will help you reach your weight loss goals.

16 Healthiest Weight Loss Foods, According to RDs

If you’re looking to lose weight, you may be wondering what the healthiest foods are to include in your diet. Registered dietitians have the expertise to help you make the best choices for your health and weight loss goals. Here are 16 of the healthiest foods for weight loss, according to RDs.

1. Oats

Oats are a great source of fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your blood sugar levels stable. They also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, zinc, and iron. Oats are a versatile food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as oatmeal, overnight oats, or as an ingredient in baked goods.

2. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein, which can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. They also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, selenium, and choline. Eggs can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as boiled, scrambled, or as an ingredient in baked goods.

3. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a great source of protein and calcium, which can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your bones strong. It also contains probiotics, which can help support your digestive health. Greek yogurt can be enjoyed plain or as an ingredient in smoothies, parfaits, or baked goods.

4. Salmon

Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and support heart health. It also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, selenium, and phosphorus. Salmon can be enjoyed baked, grilled, or as an ingredient in salads or sandwiches.

5. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and collard greens, are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your blood sugar levels stable. Leafy greens can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or as an ingredient in salads, soups, and smoothies.

6. Beans and Legumes

Beans and legumes, such as black beans, lentils, and chickpeas, are a great source of fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Beans and legumes can be enjoyed as a side dish, in soups and stews, or as an ingredient in salads and sandwiches.

7. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds, are a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and protein. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Nuts and seeds can be enjoyed as a snack, in trail mix, or as an ingredient in baked goods.

8. Berries

Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Berries can be enjoyed as a snack, in smoothies, or as an ingredient in baked goods.

9. Avocado

Avocado is a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. It can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Avocado can be enjoyed as a snack, in salads, or as an ingredient in smoothies and sandwiches.

10. Whole Grains

Whole grains, such as quinoa, brown rice, and oats, are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your blood sugar levels stable. Whole grains can be enjoyed as a side dish, in soups and stews, or as an ingredient in baked goods.

11. Lean Meats

Lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, and fish, are a great source of protein and vitamins and minerals. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Lean meats can be enjoyed as a main dish, in salads and sandwiches, or as an ingredient in soups and stews.

12. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a great source of protein and calcium, which can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your bones strong. It also contains probiotics, which can help support your digestive health. Cottage cheese can be enjoyed plain or as an ingredient in smoothies, parfaits, or baked goods.

13. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a great source of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and support heart health. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Chia seeds can be enjoyed as a snack, in trail mix, or as an ingredient in smoothies and baked goods.

14. Apples

Apples are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Apples can be enjoyed as a snack, in salads, or as an ingredient in smoothies and baked goods.

15. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can help you feel fuller for longer and keep your blood sugar levels stable. Sweet potatoes can be enjoyed baked, mashed, or as an ingredient in soups and stews.

16. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a great source of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and support heart health. It can also help you feel fuller for longer and keep your energy levels up. Dark chocolate can be enjoyed as a snack or as an ingredient in baked goods.

As you are carefully approaching the brand new 12 months, you could be seeking to shed a number of kilos or just simply wish to attempt to eat cleaner, extra nutritious meals and wish to train as a option to really feel more healthy and extra energized, normally. Properly, meaning it could be time to rethink your weight loss program, eliminating refined carbohydrates and sugar and as an alternative, targeted on loading up on extra fruit and veggies, in addition to proteins, good fat, and fiber. This manner, you’ll replenish sooner on fewer energy and, most significantly, get probably the most dietary bang in your buck.

“Whereas no single meals will trigger you to shed extra pounds, meals excessive in protein and fiber assist to maintain you glad longer so you’ll doubtless nosh much less and eat fewer energy general,” says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, and creator of The Protein-Packed Breakfast Membership. “And even when you do not shed extra pounds, they’re wholesome, nutrient-rich meals that deliver their very own well being advantages,” she says.

Listed below are 16 of the highest, healthiest weight-loss meals to incorporate in your weight loss program so you can begin this subsequent 12 months on a excessive word. And whilst you’re at it, check out any of those 15 Underrated Weight Loss Ideas That Truly Work.

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Almonds include a mixture of wholesome fat, fiber, and protein, making a fantastic addition for wholesome snacking.

“That will help you really feel full and glad for longer, add almonds to your Greek yogurt bowl, sprinkle them onto your salad or pair them along with your favourite fruit,” says Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD, CDN.

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Oh, the avocado. It could be a reasonably stylish meals, but it surely actually is filled with tons of well being advantages.

“Avocados are filled with monounsaturated fat and important nutritional vitamins and minerals, which have been proven to scale back stomach fats and switch off our starvation hormones,” says Schapiro. “For a smaller waistline, pair your savory egg omelet with a number of slices of avocado and rise up to 4 grams of belly-filling fiber.”

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Peanuts are thought of a “small, however mighty” meals as they’ve a fantastic supply of protein, fiber, and wholesome fat to spice up satiety.

“Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to your morning smoothie or pair a spoonful with an apple that can assist you shed extra pounds, and maintain it off,” says Schapiro.

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Lentils present a high quality supply of plant-based protein and dietary fiber, so it is nice for individuals who wish to reduce meat-consumption.

“Higher consumption of fiber-rich meals has been related to decrease physique mass index (BMI) and profitable weight administration,” says Schapiro. For a plant-based and weight-friendly meal, take pleasure in a lentil soup for lunch or prepare dinner up a scrumptious curry for dinner.

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Cucumbers include as much as 95% water, making them a superb alternative so as to add to your weight loss program when you’re aiming for weight reduction.

“Toss cucumbers into your winter salad or snack on cup up slices for a hydrating, refreshing and lower-calorie possibility,” says Schapiro. To maintain its excessive nutrient and antioxidant content material, eat your cucumbers unpeeled.

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“Asparagus is low in energy and excessive in prebiotic fiber, a gut-friendly nutrient that has been proven to scale back physique fats in overweight people and shed extra or undesirable kilos,” says Schapiro. For simply 20 energy per cup, pair some roasted asparagus with a lean protein for a tasty, waistline-friendly meal.

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Should you’re searching for a meals that’s packing with omega-3’s, then salmon is your go-to.

“A weight loss program wealthy in omega-3’s has been related to larger postprandial satiety and decrease starvation sensations in people with sustained weight reduction,” says Schapiro. Grill, roast, or bake a salmon fillet and pair it alongside your favourite roasted vegetable for a nutritious and straightforward meal.

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Flax seeds are wealthy in fiber, which helps to fills you up and for longer, too.

“Flax seeds are additionally recognized for his or her alpha-line oleic and lignan content material, as these vitamins could assist to decrease levels of cholesterol and irritation within the physique,” says Schapiro. Add a tablespoon of flaxseeds to your chia pudding or throw a handful into your morning smoothie for a fiber-rich meal.

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Blueberries include a wealthy supply of fiber and antioxidants, significantly flavonoids.

“Larger consumption of flavonoid-rich meals has been linked to larger weight modifications over time and proposed an appropriate meals for weight administration,” says Schapiro. High your oatmeal with a handful of blueberries, mix them right into a smoothie, or eat them simply the way in which they’re!

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“In addition to their excessive fiber and water content material, bell peppers are filled with nutritional vitamins A [and] C, potassium, and different antioxidants,” says Schapiro. One other plus? They’re low in energy.

“Add sliced, sautéed, or grilled bell peppers to make rooster fajitas or a veggie-forward omelet with out including the surplus energy,” she suggests.

chia flax seeds on top of green smoothie
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“These stylish, nutrient-packed seeds have a particular high quality: They will take up greater than ten occasions their weight in water, permitting them to swell in your digestive tract and assist to maintain you glad,” says Harris-Pincus.

Chia seeds are reasonably common, too. Go forward and sprinkle a teaspoon or two on yogurt, over your salad, in your oatmeal, or add them to your recipes and baked items.

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You won’t remember, however cottage cheese is one dairy product that’s filled with protein, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. It is pretty straightforward to include it into tons of meals, too.

“Cottage cheese is the key to creamy smoothies because it’s a lot much less tangy than Greek yogurt and you’ll combine it into eggs earlier than scrambling for a tacky, creamy texture, or as a protein enhance in pancake batter,” says Harris-Pincus. The probabilities are limitless, and you’ll profit from about 13 grams of satisfying protein per 1/2 cup serving.

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For 100 energy, you may take pleasure in roughly 30 nuts. That is a hefty serving, making pistachios a perfect snack possibility.

“While you buy those within the shell, it takes fairly a while to eat, supplying you with time to really feel glad,” says Harris-Pincus. So all that work you set into taking the nuts out of the shells pays off greater than you realized. Pre-portion the pistachios in zipper luggage to seize and go, particularly for a fast afternoon snack or as one thing to pack on lengthy automotive journeys.

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“For less than 70 energy, the high-quality protein and fats will fill you up and assist forestall you from senseless noshing and reduce your probability of constructing impulsive meals decisions,” says Harris-Pincus. Don’t fret in regards to the ldl cholesterol both. “Analysis has proven that the ldl cholesterol in eggs isn’t solely decrease than we as soon as thought, but it surely’s additionally not a contributing issue to coronary heart illness,” she says.

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When unsure, it is by no means a foul thought to start out your thought with a bowl of oatmeal.

“This wholesome entire grain accommodates a soluble fiber, beta glucan, which may also help to handle ldl cholesterol and blood sugar,” says Harris-Pincus. Oats are so versatile, one more perk! You can also make old style oatmeal, in a single day oats, power balls, or grind them into flour to make use of for baking, in pancakes and even as a filling add-in to smoothies.

holding a cup of green tea
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Unsure what precisely you may drink that can enable you to shed kilos as an alternative of trigger you to pack extra on? That is the place the magic elixir that’s inexperienced tea is available in.

“Not solely is it stuffed with antioxidants and different wholesome phytochemicals, however [green tea] additionally has the advantage of barely rising your metabolism,” says Harris-Pincus. “Sipping tea within the night as an alternative of snacking, or buying and selling in your latte for a cup of iced or scorching inexperienced tea will decrease your calorie consumption and enable you to burn a number of additional.” Simply keep in mind that including sugar to sweeten it’ll defeat the aim, so sip on all of it by its lonesome to get probably the most advantages.