Having a natural lifestyle is all about being at our best.  We want fewer toxins in our life, we want to be fit and healthy, and to live in harmony with the nature that surrounds us. To truly be at our best and have the energy required to fulfill our dreams, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is part of the process.  Whole food can help us to do just that.  Yes, eating can actually help us lose weight and stay lean. Isn’t it great?

Nutrition is an amazing science.  More I learn about it, better I understand how food is at the core of our health.  Research after research, science finds that some substances in food really have super powers. From avoiding diseases to protect our cells from ageing, certain food can also help us lose weight and stay lean. And that’s the case of the 10 foods below.

10 foods to help you lose weight and stay slim

Salad and water rich foods

Recent studies have shown that starting your meal with a salad can help you eat less overall.  Water filled food like many fruits and vegetables make you feel fuller longer.  As example, 100 calories of watermelon will sustain you far longer than 100 calories of chips or pretzels.  Salads and water rich fruits and vegetables also have the benefit of adding precious vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to your diet.

Fiber rich foods

Whether it is high fibers cereals, fiber rich fruits or beans and legumes, foods that are high in fibers keep your blood sugar levels down, avoiding you the between-meal cravings.  Fibers also do wonders for your overall health, like preventing cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Protein rich foods

To lose weight and keep it off, controlling hunger is the key. And there’s nothing better than protein to do that.  Protein rich foods will make you full for a longer period of time.  Look for lean protein sources like beans and legumes, organic tofu and whole grains.

Green tea

Besides being rich in water, green tea contains an antioxidant called catechin, which help speed-up your metabolism and burn fat.  Some study have shown that women who drink a bottle of green tea a day can boost their metabolism, and have a significant lower body mass index.  Antioxidants in green tea also lower cholesterol and help prevent many types of cancers

Vinegar

Vinegar makes food stay longer into the stomach, which makes you full longer.  But vinegar also has the possibility to block the blood sugar peaks that occurs after eating simple starches like white bread.  So why not do like the Italians and dip your bread in balsamic vinegar and olive oil instead of spreading butter on it?

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is composed of around 66% of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). In a recent study, MCT oil has been found more effective than olive oil in regards to fat mass loss.  Just be aware that coconut oil also contains saturated fats, which is linked to health problems if consumed in large quantity.

Grapefruit

Like fiber rich foods and vinegar, grapefruit also helps keeping the blood sugar levels down.  Grapefruit is also a champion at supporting our body to detox naturally.

Cinnamon

Not only cinnamon can help your blood sugar return to normal after a meal, it also help you with sugar cravings.  Cinnamon can help fool your taste buds, making a meal seem sweeter.  Try adding cinnamon to your sweet recipes to use less sugar.

Nuts

While nuts contain loads of fat, snacking on it surprisingly helps to loose weight. Snacking on nuts can help you eat less at subsequent meals.  Nuts also boost metabolism, helping you burn more fat while at rest.

Hot peppers

Hot peppers contain capsaicin, a substance that helps decrease appetite. Capsaicin also helps control blood sugar, prevent cancer, and help in reliving pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Having a diet based on whole food that includes many of the food described above, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to a lean body full of energy.

What is your favorite stay slim food?  What do you do to overcome cravings? Share your tips with us!