One of the most difficult parts about dieting for weight loss is the dramatic shift in energy levels you begin to experience if you don’t eat enough healthy foods. It is hard to stay motivated to keep going on a diet plan when you barely have the ability to get up out of bed in the morning. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some healthy foods you can add to your diet which both promote weight loss and boost your energy levels.
Here are healthy 8 foods that help you maintain energy while losing weight:
- Beans – Legumes are packed with good starches and add both fiber and probiotics to your diet. The protein they release is slow-acting, giving you energy for longer and keeping you from becoming lethargic throughout the day.
- Sweet potatoes – Contain nutrients, fiber, and slow releasing carbohydrates. Exactly what you want to keep your energy up.
- Oats – Steel cut whole grain oats will contain more nutritional value than regular oats. They are high in fiber, help with water absorption, and help clean out the intestines. Oats also help to regulate energy levels and prevent spiking glucose levels (and insulin).
- Berries – Blueberries, blackberries, currants, and raspberries (any red or dark colored berry) are great for providing sustained energy. These berries are high in natural sugar to boost your energy and contain lots of antioxidants to help your immune system. Oh, and they are delicious too!
- Seeds – Chia and Flax seeds are among the best. Not only do they have healthy fats but they are (big surprise) another great source of fiber. Chia seeds absorb liquids and create a kind of gel that helps you keep full long after you have eaten.
- Fish – Fish are full of healthy fats (omega-3 in particular) and other nutrients. Some of the longest living and healthiest cultures on Earth live on a diet consisting primarily of fish and rice.
- Rice – Surprisingly, white rice is better for you in many ways than brown rice is. Aim for shorter grain white rice for a good boost of energy and healthy carbohydrates. These will help keep you hydrated and fill you up too.
- Avocado – One of the best sources of healthy monounsaturated fat. Eating avocados can lower cholesterol levels and provide good fats for the body to use for energy. They give are a good source of fiber, and support weight loss by providing sustained energy to the body.
It is important to note that adding these healthy foods is not a substitute for exercise or eating less calories per day. Everyone is unique and has their own nutritional requirements. Only through careful measure of how you feel and what the scale looks like will you truly succeed in your weight loss journey. Another thing to note? Don’t be afraid of fat. While carbohydrates trigger your body to produce insulin, they also trigger your body to produce hunger hormones. Fats, on the other hand, are primarily responsible for triggering your body to be satisfied. A few healthy fats from nuts or coconut oil between meals will fill you up and promote overall health. You can learn more about building a personalized nutrition plan by contacting Michael Forman and his experienced team. Call today to set up an appointment.
305-741-2102