Eight Foods You Should Include in Your Low Calorie Diet Plan

A dress that won’t fit or an extra flab on your midsection is not what you exactly want to see one morning after indulging in food. If you feel that you need to do something to expel that bulge or shed off excess weight, then one way to go about is to start a low calorie diet plan.

The recommended number of calories for women is 2,000 calories per day while its 2,500 calories for men. If you want to lose weight, then you should cut off at least 500 calories of your daily intake. If you do this, you should expect to lose one pound per week.

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The Eight Foods You Should Include in Your Low Calorie Diet Plan

Now you’re probably wondering, how can you not feel starved and still lose weight? The trick is to consume foods that are low in calories, but will still make you feel satiated. Here are eight foods that you should include in your low calorie diet plan:

1. Whole Grains

If you’re used to having a full stomach after every meal, but you’re worried of the calories you’re consuming, then it’s time that you choose to eat whole grains. Whole grains are low-calorie foods that will make you feel satiated. It is full of fiber which will help manage blood sugar levels. Skip sugary cereals during breakfast and stick to a whole grain oatmeal. Ditch the white rice and choose eating brown rice instead.

2. Green Veggies

Always hated it when your mom forced you to eat broccoli for dinner? It’s time to change that attitude!

Broccoli, as well as other green veggies such as kale, spinach, and zucchini is your best friend if you want to cut off your calorie intake and lose weight. Did you know that eating a cup of broccoli can actually help you burn calories? Broccoli contains only 25 calories per cup, but it requires 80 calories for your body to burn the veggie; that means you’ll burn 55 calories by consuming one cup of broccoli!

One way to enjoy your greens (spinach, kale, etc.) is to juice it and infuse with your favorite fruits. Not only is your drink delicious, but it is well packed in vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Now you have to thank your mom why she insisted that you ate your veggies for dinner.

3. Water Based Fruits

Another type of food that you should consume in a low calorie diet plan is water based fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit and peaches. Most fruits are good for you and are perfect for your diet plan. However, if you feel a pang of hunger it’s always wise to eat a bowl of water based fruits like watermelon to satisfy your hunger. A watermelon only counts as 50 calories per cup, has fiber and is a good source of Vitamin C; plus, it also satisfies your cravings for sweets.

4. Berries

One of the perfect snacks for a low calorie diet is berries. Whether they are blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, health experts consider these as super foods because of the vitamins and nutrients thatthey contain. Other than this, berries are known as powerhouses of antioxidants that can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Place it on your shake or top your whole grain oats with berries and you’ll sure to have a delicious, nutritious, and low calorie meal.

5. Beans

Legumes or beans such as black eyed beans, lima beans, and garbanzo beans are the one that you should also add in your low calorie menu. Not only are these low in calorie (110 to 130 calories per serving), but they are also rich in nutrients that are beneficial for the body such as protein, fiber, and iron. They also contain antioxidants which will help protect you from diseases. Include these beans in your soups or salads for your low calorie diet meal plans!

6. Mushrooms

Like beans, mushrooms are another great choice for a low calorie food. Button mushrooms, shiitake, or Portobello, mushrooms are perfect for your diet. It contains antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and prevents certain types of cancer. They also contain nutrients such as B vitamins, potassium, and rich fiber.

7. Green Tea

If you’re aiming to cut off calories, one of the things that you should also be careful of is the beverages you consume. Fruit juices, sodas, and other flavored drinks contain calories and sugar that will only contribute to your weight gain. Other than water, one drink that is best for your low calorie diet plan is unsweetened green tea. Green tea is not only low in calories, but it also properties that burn calories as well. Drinking up to four cups of green tea a day can actually burn 50 calories!

8. Coffee

If you are used to getting a usual kick of caffeine daily, don’t fret if you’re going on a low calorie diet plan. In fact, you can still drink coffee during this diet. No, I’m not talking about the coffee you order at Starbucks, but a low calorie diet coffee means black coffee. Coffee without sugar, cream or syrups has actually zero calories. This drink also contains properties that control your hormones that make you think you’re hungry. So when you chug down a cup, it can actually control the feeling of hunger. Caffeine found in coffee can also increase your metabolism which means drinking coffee can help burn fat.

Conclusion

Going on a low calorie diet doesn’t mean that you need to starve yourself to death. In fact you can still eat full meals and feel satiated if you consume foods that are low in calories such as the foods listed above. You may find it as a challenge at first when you start to cut off the calories and control the food you eat. However if you keep your determination high and avoid the foods that will tempt you to go astray your diet, then you are surely on the right track. Start a low calorie diet plan and start losing weight now!

Eight Foods You Should Include in Your Low Calorie Diet Plan