5 Unexpected Food That Can Help You Lose Weight

When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s difficult to know what food you should eat. Most people know to eat vegetables and lean meats, but eating the same thing can get boring fast. Try these unexpected food to lose weight instead.

Black Coffee

Black coffee doesn’t have specific properties that will help encourage weight loss, but drinking coffee black will save you significant calories as opposed to sipping a latte or adding cream and sugar. Start by tapering the amount of cream and sugar you put in your coffee. Black coffee will taste bitter at first, but you will eventually acquire the taste. You could lose 10 to 15 pounds the first year just by drinking plain black coffee instead of adding cream and sugar. If you’re drinking high-calorie lattes, then that number would be even higher.

Red Fruits

Not all fruit is created equal, and that’s especially true for red fruits. Red fruits contain flavonoids, and they help to prevent fat from storing up in your cells. The flavonoids are what give red fruit their color, so you can trust that any red fruit is a better option. Opt for red apples over green. Go for the watermelon over the cantaloupe. Choose the red grapes over the green grapes. These small swaps will help you to lose weight and won’t make a huge difference in the flavors you eat.

Hot Sauce

Hot sauce and spicy foods contain capsaicin, which increases your metabolism temporarily after you eat it. That means that your metabolism speeds up right after eating helping you to burn more calories. Also, because of the strong flavor, you’re less likely to overeat. People typically eat spicy food slower and feel more satisfied than when eating bland counterparts. If you eat something without a lot of flavor, you’ll likely want to fill that void shortly after eating. If you eat something flavorful, you’ll be satisfied longer, saving you from eating more calories.

Chicken Thighs

Dark meat got a bad rap a few years ago, and now it seems everyone beelines for the chicken or turkey breast. The calorie difference between dark and light meat is minimal, but the difference in taste is pretty significant. If you’re tracking your macronutrients, chicken thighs are better than breasts and keep you satisfied longer. Dark meat is juicier and more tender than white meat. Instead of automatically buying chicken breast, try chicken thighs instead. The portions are smaller and more satisfying, so you’ll likely end up eating fewer calories when you opt for the dark meat.

Nut Butter

Almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, and other nut butters can all help you lose weight when eaten in moderation. These butters are packed with protein and fiber. You’ll feel full faster and for longer when you eat these butters. Make sure you avoid the low-fat versions. Most of the time, that fat is replaced with sugar or sodium. Try red apples and peanut butter for an afternoon snack to help reach your weight loss goals.

Try these food instead of your usual and enjoy the variety while you lose weight.