There are four foods you must have in your diet to lose weight and stay fit. Ignore what people say about these foods. You NEED them to be part of your healthy diet plan. You'll be lacking in basic nutritional value if you stop eating any of these four foods. So what are these four magic foods?
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Fiber: You can't keep your digestion running smoothly without fiber. Plus, because fiber digests slowly it stays in your system for a long time, helping your feel full and satisfied. This is why it's so important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables which are packed with fiber. Fruit juices are not the same value because they have little or no fiber. Do a lot of your grocery shopping in the fresh produce section of your grocery store. Even better: Visit a farmers market for the freshest produce.
Protein: This is another food that takes a while to digest, so it stays in your body, helping you feel full and giving you the energy you need to get through the day. Great sources of protein include eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, beans, and lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish. If you decide to eat a vegetarian diet you must look for other protein sources such as beans, legumes, quinoa, and hemp seeds.
Good fats: Low fat diets were all the rage for a while, until it turned out they didn't work. Your body needs good fats like monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These include foods like avocados, walnuts, salmon, tuna, olives, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Good fats boost your brain power, lift your mood, and can actually assist in your weight loss goals. Stay away from trans fats and saturated fats like you find in packaged snack foods, fried foods, margarine and some dairy products.
Good carbs: Yes, there are good carbs. They're needed to give you energy and keep your metabolism going strong. But you need to get these carbs from whole grains, beans and even fruits and vegetables. Whole grains won't spike your sugar level like white breads and pastas. Eliminate white bread, refined white flour and sugar from your diet.
It really is that simple. Eating these four foods in balance will keep you healthy and fit. You'll also be able to keep your energy level high. The best thing is that if you're eating these foods you'll feel satisfied. You won't be hungry all the time like you would be on a fad diet. You won't crave sweets!
This post was originally published on February 13, 2014.
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