Cutting is critical when youre trying to lose weight.
But dieting doesnt have to require deprivation.
Many delicious (and healthy) foods can still be part of your dining repertoire.
When it comes to diet, the aim is not How low can you go?
Your body needs calories for energy.
attempt to focus less on the numbers and more on the overall quality of your diet.
Even with vegetables, resist the temptation to go hog wild on any one food.
Variety is the secret spice to any weight-loss diet.
When we focus on just one food, we are getting very minimal nutrients, Sanger says.
When making changes to your diet, you dont need to go it alone.
Its preferable to get some help from your primary care doctor or a dietitian.
Mix and match these 25 foods to your hearts content as part of an overall well-balanced diet.
Berries
Make berries your go-to cereal topper or dessert and start reaping the myriad health benefits.
Pick any throw in of berry strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or blueberries.
All are low in calories and rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, folate and potassium.
Blueberries are rich in a flavonoid called anthocyanin that can helpboost the immune system.
Unlike other fruits, berries are relatively low in sugar.
Thats important when weight loss is the goal.
They also make an excellent salad topper.
Yet their nutrient-dense design still makes them a worthy addition to this list.
Chickpeas are very fiber-rich, and theyre a good source of protein, Sanger says.
To make your own, try this recipe forvery green pea hummus.
Mushrooms
The mushroom family is enjoying a renaissance.
In 2022,The New York Timesnamed this edible fungus ingredient of the year.
Its no wonder, since mushrooms make a lower-fat and lower-calorie stand-in for meat in recipes.
Cremini and portabella mushrooms are high in selenium, while shiitake mushrooms are a good source ofvitamin B6.
Celery
Dont relegate celery to the veggie tray.
This versatile vegetable is so much more than a cocktail party hors doeuvre.
Celery is 95 percent water, with nearly one half-cup in each serving.
The combo of water plus fiber fills your belly quickly, which prevents you from overeating, Sanger says.
Popcorn
If youre looking for the perfect low-cal snack, youve found it.
Each crunchy bite of popcorn is filled with fiber and whole grains.
One big caveat is to be careful of how you prep your popcorn.
venture to limit yourself to three cups, which is still a hefty portion of popcorn.
Grapefruit
You might remember the grapefruit diet, a fad favored by celebrities in the 1970s.
Eat grapefruit with every meal and the weight will melt off or so proponents claimed.
Because this fruit is 88 percent water, it should fill you up faster, so youll eat less.
Just dont load it up with sugar to make it taste sweeter.
One precaution is to see to it it doesntinteract with your medications.
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can interfere with some types of blood pressure medications and cholesterol-lowering medications, Sandon says.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether this fruit is safe to eat with your current meds
