Foods to lose weight: what they are and when to take them

Curated by Cinzia Zedda, an Iridology Naturopath

Are there any foods that can help us lose weight ? To lose weight, perhaps many of us would also be willing to make a drastic culinary sacrifice. But a slimming diet is not necessarily "sad" and not appetizing. Let's see together what foods are useful for weight loss and how to use them in a diet that helps us lose weight with a smile .

Chilli is one of the foods to lose weight

Beauty and health

The search for a "perfect" body and weight are at the origin of two different needs: beauty on one side and health on the other. The cult of beauty has indeed ancient origins (the rituals of the women of ancient Egypt or those of Japanese culture are well known). In fact, we do not always try to lose weight for pleasure or to like ourselves.

There are some pathologies, such as those related to the skeleton that require weight loss to get better or diseases such as hypothyroidism that need weight monitoring and many more.

In reality this combination should always go hand in hand. An excess of fat is never an indication of health, especially if placed in the abdominal quadrant (as well as being difficult to eliminate).

Lose weight the right way

To lose weight we have to fill the pantry and the refrigerator with foods that help the body burn the energy load faster with food but also have all the ideal nutritional characteristics to allow an effective and long-lasting weight loss.

A common mistake that one tends to make when putting oneself on a diet to lose the extra pounds is the exclusion of some foods in favor of salads only or on the contrary, increasing the proportion of proteins in a way that is not proportionate to the organic needs. To lose weight, therefore, we must follow these simple guidelines:

activate metabolism
distribute nutrients in a balanced way (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and fiber) in daily meals to guarantee a lean but also healthy body.
choose low-glycemic and low-calorie foods
increase physical activity
detoxify the liver

You can learn more about when and how to cleanse the liver

Foods to lose weight

Therefore, to activate the metabolism we dust our chili, spices and aromatic herbs . We try to drink or possibly take good green tea capsules.

In addition to this we must keep in mind that the body needs many substances to function well and also to lose weight. We do not make war on fats but instead we learn to choose the most appropriate and functional fats to support the body and to achieve a lasting weight.

These "fat friends" can be found in "fatty fish" and sushi. This type of fish is a good substitute for meat. A good habit to put on the table of those who do not need to lose weight. Unlike its classification, the "fat" fish is rich in useful essential fatty acids (omega three) together with nuts and dried fruit in general. The latter is energetic but if we limit ourselves to eating the right amount (at most six a day) they are indispensable for losing weight well without incurring some nutritional deficiency.

Japanese cuisine (the real one) is a type of cuisine allowed when on a diet. The lack of seasoning and the combination of proteins with cereals are a winning combination. We thus obtain satiety and control of the glycemic index by proteins on cereals (carbohydrates).

The high content of minerals and vitamins contained in the algae complete the action of the slimming effect in beauty. This avoids nutritional deficiencies that damage the hair, nails and muscles. White lean meats are also indicated. They are low in calories and fat-free, light and digestible. I recommend the chicken, turkey and bresaola to accompany with thinly sliced celery seasoned with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, lemon and mustard.

Celery is low in calories, rich in fiber, has a satiating effect and helps intestinal motility.

Celery among weight-loss foods: discover all the properties

Soy should not be missing from the list of weight loss foods. It belongs to the category of vegetable proteins and for this reason brings great advantages. It is a complete protein source (it contains amino acids in quantities very close to those contained in the meat). This quality supports it as the most requested alternative to replace meat and fish proteins and contains fiber. These two elements fight hunger and fill the stomach with a reasonable caloric quantity. We can therefore say that soy is a food absolutely indicated for weight loss, so it is a dietary food also due to its low fat content.

Yoghurt that is soy or ordinary milk is a food that must never be lacking in a diet but must be consumed "naturally". Only in this way we find in it few calories, little fat and sugar. With the addition of fresh fruit or a spoonful of cereals (without added sugar) the yogurt becomes more complete and satisfying without affecting the daily caloric balance.

The summer period is the best time to start a diet . Accomplice in the heat that removes the appetite and the incentive of the non-forgiving costume test, we find comfort in the thirst quenching watermelon. This type of watermelon is really low calorie (it contains a lot of water for the benefit of a natural and effective drainage).

Lemon is essential to start a proper weight loss diet. If we drink its juice on an empty stomach, we guarantee good health throughout the year and a healthy, clean liver. Detoxifying the liver is not only useful for weight loss but it also speeds up the results.

On a diet for a day

Before breakfast : the juice of a lemon diluted in a glass of warm water.

Breakfast : A cup of green tea, natural yoghurt and fresh fruit. Or: a grapefruit juice, a toasted slice of wholemeal bread with a teaspoon of jam without sugar, better if made at home, a coffee.

Lunch : bresaola (or another protein among those indicated in the article) accompanied by a side dish of raw vegetables without bread. Or: grilled tofu with grilled vegetables.

Snack : some walnut kernel or a natural yogurt and a fruit.

Dinner : Vegetable cream and cooked fruit. Or: baked salmon with boiled spinach.

After dinner : artichoke herbal tea alternating with a draining herbal tea.