One of the hardest parts of maintaining a diet is finding a proper food balance. From choosing a meal plan that provides the nutrients a body needs, selecting healthy food choices that actually help to reduce weight, to keeping a body feeling “full” on a more restricted diet.

Look for Fiber Rich Foods

The success of a diet often relies on a person’s ability to work the routine into their lifestyle. Having a fiber rich diet not only helps a person to drop the pounds, it also helps a person feel full for longer periods of time.
Good high fiber foods to try are:

• Legumes
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Brown rice
• Whole grains (such as wheat, oats, and barley).

Other Foods to Fill You Up

The following foods are able to offer important nutrients, vitamins and minerals:

• Apples and Pears: Offer high water content and soluble fiber.
• Eggs: Full of high quality protein that will keep a person full longer.
• Cauliflower, Broccoli and Green Beans: Non starchy vegetables help to fill a person up due to the amount of fiber, high nutrient content and great taste
• Low fat yogurt: Dairy foods have not only been shown to be helpful for weight loss, the included calcium combined with the other bioactive compounds can slow down the process of making fat and increase fat burning.
• Oatmeal: Eating breakfast helps to keep a person from eating more in the day. Oatmeal offers fiber as well as a good source of protein. Adding oatmeal to baked products also enhances the nutritional value.
• Nuts: People who eat nuts generally eat less over the course of the day. One serving of nuts will help to satisfy food cravings and stay in the system longer than other foods.
• Soup: Broth based soup can help a person to feel more full by adding volume and limiting calorie intake over the course of the day. Adding vegetables or beans gives extra nutrients and fiber.
• Bulgur and other high fiber grains: A good substitute for rice and pasta, which are refined and lower in fiber content.
• Fish: Packed with protein and its strong flavor can also lead to a greater feeling of being full, and less of a need to eat afterwards.
• Salad: A filling food with added vegetables, lean protein, beans, and healthy fats.

“Bad” Foods That Can Help You

There are also certain foods that can be useful for providing a “full” feeling and cut the likelihood of snacking later.

• Red meat: Go for “lean” meat when eating. Meat is an excellent source of protein and takes longer to digest.
• Ice Cream: The body needs calcium, regardless of diet. A small serving each day can be done, but watch for fat intake.
• Pizza: Thin and whole wheat variety crusts, or homemade is the best way to go. Just watch for additional oil and fat.
• Canadian bacon: While it can be an “anytime” snack, watch for hidden fat or frying the meat.

Watch What You Eat

Eating these foods can help maintain a proper dietary intake while keeping the snack cravings at bay.

Get a jump start on your personal weight loss program today.

Sources:

http://www.womansday.com/health/10629/10-best-slimming-foods.html?print_page=y

http://www.health.com/health/article/0,23414,1689768,00.html

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_fiber.php