Eat Right, Stay Healthy: Everything You Need To Know About Losing Weight Naturally

The number of times we’ve come across detox teas and weight loss shakes being promoted on social media is astronomical. The obsession with weight loss is on the rise, making it easier for people to fall prey to questionable products and unverified weight loss information. First of all, you need to know that you are beautiful just the way you are! However, if you’d still like to shed a few kilos, the best way to lose weight would be to go about it naturally, instead of opting for short-term fad diets or weight loss products.

Losing weight naturally is safe, and doesn’t require you to shell out big bucks. It is definitely not easy, but there’s also no rocket science involved. If you’re looking for natural weight loss tips, it’s quite simple- try to be mindful of what you’re eating, and adopt measures that lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Best Ways to Lose Weight Naturally

In case you’re wondering how to lose weight naturally, the simple answer is- by eating right and exercising regularly. Below are a few natural weight loss tips and ways that you can keep in mind when trying to lose weight. Chances are, you already know all about it, but often tend to neglect it.

Include Protein In Your Diet

The first rule of eating right is to have a balanced diet that provides adequate amounts of nutrients that are necessary for good health. Protein is one of the most important nutrients that can aid in weight loss. How so? Well, your body burns calories when digesting and metabolizing the protein in your food. Not only does high protein intake help boost your metabolism, but it also makes you feel more satiated and full, thus preventing you from overeating.

Portion Control

Portion control can play a huge role when you’re trying to lose weight naturally. The change doesn’t have to be drastic- try reducing your portions by 10-20%. Start with adding small portions to your plate, then add on to it, if required. If you’re someone who eats really fast, try slowing down your speed. The logic is that when you eat slowly, you give your body time to register how much you’ve eaten. On the contrary, when you eat fast, you may end up overeating without even realizing that you are actually full.

Eat Whole Foods Instead Of Refined Foods

For the unversed, whole foods are those that are either not processed at all, or undergo minimal processing. They are basically single-ingredient foods that are packed with nutrients. Whole foods include whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, etc.  If you’re looking to lose weight naturally, try eliminating refined foods such as white bread, cakes, cookies, and substitute those with whole foods that are rich in fiber. By doing so, you will not only cut down on added sugar, but you will also feel full faster as whole foods are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Do NOT Skip Meals

If you think skipping meals is the way to go about losing weight naturally, think again. A lot of people think that skipping meals can help with weight loss, but that’s not true. Skipping meals does more harm than good as long-term calorie restriction can put your body in starvation mode. Furthermore, if you skip a meal, you are much hungrier than usual, and chances are that you will overeat during the next meal. That isn’t ideal for weight loss. Instead, have proper meals in the right portions, and healthy snacks in between to make sure you’re energetic throughout the day.

Add Some Form Of Exercise To Your Daily Routine

This goes without saying- any form of exercise is a great way to burn calories, and works wonders for your physical health. You don’t have to spend hours working out daily. Just choose any form of exercise- whether it is cycling, jogging, running, skipping, or even brisk walking- and do it consistently. If none of these physical activities sound interesting to you, you can also indulge in any sport that you love. Start by working out or playing 25-30 minutes daily at first, then you can gradually increase the time.    

Drink Enough Water

It is important that you drink plenty of water not just for weight loss, but even otherwise for your overall health. Drinking enough water every day can help keep you full for a longer time, and can subsequently prevent you from overeating. Besides, did you know your body can sometimes confuse thirst for hunger? That’s why it is always a good idea to keep yourself hydrated.

Sleep Well

It is imperative that you get 7-8 hours of sleep daily, especially if you’re trying to lose weight naturally. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your daily routine can be hampered. You will be tempted to skip exercise, munch on snacks late in the night, which isn’t a great idea if you want to lose weight. Sleep deprivation also affects your appetite hormones, which leads to poor appetite regulation.

Natural Weight Loss Foods

When looking for natural ways to lose weight, what you eat contributes greatly to how much weight you lose. Including low-calorie and high-protein foods can help you feel full for a long time without increasing your calorie intake. Check out some natural weight loss foods that you can include in your diet!

Eggs

Eggs are excellent sources of protein, and as mentioned above, consuming protein-rich foods can help you feel full. If you have eggs for breakfast, you are likely to consume fewer calories throughout the day, and will likely resist munching on fatty, sugary snacks.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables cannot be missed when talking about natural weight loss foods! Veggies such as spinach and kale can be easily incorporated into your diet, and eating them regularly can aid in weight loss. They are packed with nutrients, are rich in fiber, and low in calories. This means that they are a great way to increase the amount of food you eat, without increasing the calories.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the best breakfast options that can aid in weight loss. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which helps you feel full. While oatmeal is a nutritious option, avoid adding too much sugar to your oats.

Cauliflower, Cabbage, Broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables such as these are high in fiber, and also contain some amount of protein. While the amount of protein you’ll get from eating these veggies isn’t comparable to animal foods, it is still higher than most vegetables. Basically, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli are low in calories, and high in nutrients, making them a good choice for natural weight loss foods.

Apple

This fruit has multiple benefits and can also help in weight loss. It has impressive fiber content and can help you stay satiated. If you’re craving something sweet, opt for an apple instead of reaching for sugary food items. However, it is best to eat an apple whole, instead of drinking its juice.

Fish

Fish can be incorporated into your diet if you’re trying to lose weight. It has high protein content, and also contains Omega 3 fatty acids (good fat) that can benefit your heart health. You can opt for grilled fish as opposed to deep-fried fish so you consume less fat than usual.    

Chicken

Chicken is a weight loss-friendly food as it is high in protein and low in fat. You can grill it, stir-fry it, or even have chicken soup or chicken salad. But avoid deep-fried chicken as it is loaded with calories, and that won’t help with weight loss.

Beans

Beans are beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight naturally. They are easy to incorporate into your diet and are rich in proteins. Besides, they are also high in fiber and will make you feel full with relatively fewer calories.

Foods To Avoid For Weight Loss

The best way to lose weight is by avoiding packaged, processed food, that isn’t doing much good for your health. Want to eat healthy stuff, but have no idea which foods to avoid for weight loss? Check out the list below.

White Rice

Although it’s a staple in many Indian regional diets, consuming white rice is not a great option when you’re trying to lose weight. White rice is rich in starch, a carbohydrate notorious for causing insulin spikes. It also falls under the category of highly processed foods as it is refined and polished before packaging. However, if you lead an active lifestyle and have a well-rounded nutritious diet, you can consume it in small quantities.

Granola Energy Bars

Your favourite quick fix to get a dash of energy might not necessarily be helpful in your weight loss journey. Even though granola has a reputation for being a health-friendly food due to its high-fiber content, it also is strapped with natural sugars. On top of that, other sweet ingredients like chocolate chips, honey, dried fruits go into making an energy bar. All these sources of sugar make Granola Energy Bars a food best avoided.

White Bread

White bread is a processed food, made from a dough that is a mixture of refined flour and sugar. White Bread ranks high on the glycemic index, an indicator used to determine which foods cause sudden spikes of sugar in the blood.

Packaged Fruit Juice

Fruit juice bought from the supermarket has already been heavily refined, stripped of its fiber content, and laced with processed sugars. Rather than drinking fruit juice, always opt to eat the whole fruit to get all the nutrients.

Soft Drinks

Heavily laden with sugars and completely devoid of any nutritional value, soft drinks are your worst enemy when you are trying to slash your weight. Consuming them not only adds to your calorie count but also leaves you feeling bloated.

French Fries

Apart from being high in calories, covered with salt, and made out of starch, french fries also contain high volumes of saturated and trans fats. French fries are deficient in any source of nutrition like proteins or fibers, making them a food item to stay far away from.

Processed Meats

Processed meats include any meat-related items that have been dried, smoked, canned, or treated with preservatives before reaching the markets. These processes make the meat lose its nutritional value and infuse it with high quantities of salt, synthetic flavours, oils, and refined carbs. All of these unhealthy additions significantly overpower any natural nutrition you were going to get from consuming meat.

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Home Exercises To Lose Weight: Don’t wish to head to the gym for a workout? Try these 5 simple home exercises that will transform your body.

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Protein Rich Foods: There are many vegetables as well as dairy products that are excellent sources of protein. Below are some protein-rich foods for vegetarians that you can include in your diet!

Now that you know how to lose weight naturally, go ahead and try it out. If you suffer from underlying medical conditions, it’s best to see a medical professional before changing your diet. Know that consistency is key when it comes to losing weight naturally. The process might be slow, but you will surely see the results!   

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