7 Best Healthy and Delicious Weight Loss Foods

LET’S GET the bad news out of the way. Despite what the pop-up ads say, there’s no such thing as “one magic food” that melts away the pounds. Honestly, if brown bananas or coconut oil were all it took, the human race would know about it by now.

“As much as we’d like to believe it, there’s no snake oil for weight loss,” confirms Krista Maguire, R.D., C.S.S.D., a nutrition manager at The Beachbody Company. “However, that’s good news because who wants to eat one food? Luckily, we get to eat multiple healthful foods to obtain our goal weight.”

The trick is to focus on the nutrients within those foods.

First, protein, which helps you feel satisfied because it takes longer to digest than carbs. It also provides amino acids, the building blocks for lean body mass. This means you’ll preserve muscle, even if you eat at a calorie deficit. “It promotes a healthier body composition leaning towards less body fat and more lean muscle,” Maguire explains.

Next, fiber supports weight loss by adding bulk to food so that you feel full longer. It also slows the release of sugar into your bloodstream, keeping your energy levels steady. Adds Maguire: “You’re less likely to experience a sugar crash that can lead to those pesky snack attacks.”

Finally, probiotics are a recent player to the weight loss game, but they could be headed for MVP status by supporting the “good” bacteria in your gut. “Recent research suggests that gut health impacts weight management.” Maguire says.

Shoot for a balance of these three nutrients, along with hydration to fill you up and healthy, flavorful choices to keep you from feeling deprived. Here are seven foods to get you started.