As you begin planning changes that will help you lose weight, it’s a great idea to apply classical wisdom. Specifically, try making “quality over quantity” your new mantra. After all, the whole point of melting off those extra pounds is to lighten your load and make room for more living. Your weight loss surgery may have limited the amount that you can eat, but that doesn’t mean the cravings are gone. Including diet power foods for weight loss in your post-surgery diet will help your cravings disappear while your energy soars.
To optimize your weight loss, you’ll want to focus on a low calorie, low fat diet that is high in lean proteins. To sustain your new, lean lifestyle, you’ll still want to satisfy your body’s craving for vibrant flavors and essential nutrients, like those found in many power foods for weight loss. Knowing which foods will give you the biggest payoff with the fewest calories will help you streamline the contents of your grocery cart and whittle your waistline.
Produce Powerhouses
Your first stop when shopping should always be the produce aisle. Here, among the naturally low calorie, low fat offerings, you will find a sea of power foods for weight loss full of enticing colors, satisfying flavors, and concentrated micronutrients. The nourishment that fresh produce provides puts an end to cravings as your body receives the full complement of minerals, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins that it needs to fire on all cylinders. The more vibrant the color, the more nutrients a fruit or vegetable has within. When choosing power foods for weight loss look for fruits and vegetables like the following:
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
Low sugar, high fiber options are ideal as they’re filling without causing spikes in blood sugar (and thus, fat storage). Best bets include:
- Grapefruit (cleansing)
- Berries (low glycemic index)
- Dark, leafy greens (B vitamins for energy)
Protein Superstars
Power foods for weight loss include lean proteins. Lean proteins provide your body with raw materials for healthy muscles and sustained energy. Make lean protein a part of each meal, and you’ll notice that not only are you free of the mid-afternoon slump at work, you’ll feel less inclined to visit the vending machine. Additionally, essential fatty acids (EFA’s) in power foods like salmon support glowing skin and a healthy nervous system while remaining low in unhealthy saturated and trans- fats.
- Choose EFA rich salmon, or ultra-lean fish. Fresh tuna, grilled or sauteed, has a steak like texture unlike the old fashioned canned stuff. Try it on a green salad with a drizzle of tangy balsamic for a light meal that feels like a feast.
- If you’re eating on a budget, lean poultry like chicken and turkey breasts provide rich flavor that complements any type of cuisine.
After your weight loss surgery, your goal should be to recreate yourself by upgrading your lifestyle to one of moderation and wellness. Power foods for weight loss make it easy to adopt a lifestyle that leads to loving what you see in your mirror.
If you would like additional ideas for introducing power foods for weight loss into your diet call us in Albertville at 256.840.5547 and Guntersville at 256.571.8734. Check out our blog for more articles with weight loss tips.
