Discover the 10 Foods That Can Help You Lose Weight

Studies show that eating half a grapefruit on an empty stomach before a meal can increase your body's fat-burning capacities. A study on 91 obese patients found significant weight loss of 1.6 kg or 3.5 lb. With fresh grapefruit consumption over a period of 12 weeks without any other dietary changes.

Grapefruit's fat-zapping abilities may be attributed to its phytochemical content. Eating a grapefruit can lower a hormone, which can lead to weight-loss.

Grapefruit also contains fiber which will keep you satiated so that you don't overeat come mealtime. It acts as a natural appetite suppressant, so eat your grapefruit before every meal!

Salmon is an excellent source of lean protein that can help you lose weight. This is because it contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids which may speed up weight loss. This fatty fish contains the good fat—the fat that will help you lose weight rather than gain it.

The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon can help reduce inflammation, cutting the risk of heart attack and stroke, and lowering blood pressure as well.

Twice a week, swap out red meat or chicken with salmon and eat it with leafy greens and whole grains for optimal weight loss results.

Egg whites are a good source of branched-chain amino acids, which can help build muscle to burn more fat. Egg yolks contain choline, a nutrient which is important for maintaining a healthy metabolism.

One egg contains 7g of protein, which is a lot for just 75 calories. Eggs are one of the cheapest and most versatile proteins out there. When buying eggs, check the labels and opt for organic—they're free of antibiotics and hormones.

Quinoa may look a lot like a grain, but it's actually a seed. This superfood contains plenty of minerals, protein, and fiber. One cup of quinoa boasts 8g of protein and 5g of fiber. This ideal combination will fill you up and keep you that way for a long time after eating.

Quinoa can take a back seat as a meal and serve as an alternative to rice, or it can be incorporated into the main dish in the form of patty burgers or a hearty salad.

Spinach is teeming with powerful antioxidants that fight diseases; vitamins; and minerals like magnesium with can lower blood sugar and hormone levels—leading to weight loss. Spinach also packs a lot of protein in very few calories. One cup of steamed spinach contains 5.3g of protein and only 41 calories.

Beans are loaded with protein and a bunch of other nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that will benefit not only your waistline, but your heart, brain, and muscles too. They also contain resistant starch which can help you slim down fast.

To avoid the uncomfortable side-effects that beans can sometimes produce, eat a ½ cup at a time.

Beans are incredibly versatile, so whether you want to add garbanzo beans to a salad, kidney beans to a chili, or black beans to salsa, you'll reap the benefits of a little bean in a big way.

Greek yogurt earns major points in the protein department. One cup of Greek yogurt contains three times the protein as an egg. With 17g of protein per serving, a breakfast that includes this yogurt will certainly keep you satisfied until lunch.

The probiotics found in this rich and creamy treat will also aid in your weight-loss efforts. Studies found that the gut-healthy bacteria found in yogurt can accelerate weight loss by revving up your metabolism and boosting your immune system.

Avoid low-fat yogurt, as the stuff is usually full of sugar that will certainly not help you lose weight.

Chia seeds are loaded with fiber that will keep your stomach full for a long time after eating them. Once wet, they can hold up to 12 times their weight—so they expand in your stomach. They are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Chia seeds can be made into a chia seed pudding, or they can simply be blended into a smoothie or sprinkled on top of a yogurt or oatmeal.

This nutty treat will satisfy your need for crunch while helping you keep slim and trim. Studies found that those who added almonds to a low-calorie diet lost more weight than those who ate carb-heavy snacks on the same diet.

Almonds contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which can lower cholesterol. They also contain amino acids which, when consumed before a workout, can help you burn more calories in the gym. Almonds also boast a good amount of magnesium which helps to maintain blood-sugar levels, keeping your cravings at bay.

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and substances that can increase fat-burning and speed up weight-loss.

Catechins are powerful antioxidants in green tea that boost metabolism and keep belly-fat away. Paired with exercise, green tea is a potent fat-burner that has been proven time and time again to work.

Since green tea can boost metabolism, it can increase the number of calories burned during rest as well as during exercise. It also works as an appetite suppressant so that you take in fewer calories throughout the day, aiding in weight-loss.

The best way to stay in shape is to stick with the recommended daily servings of each food group according to your weight. Weight loss will only happen when calories burned exceeds calories consumed, and when the metabolism is in full working condition. Lean protein, leafy greens, and lots of fruits and vegetables (and exercise!) are the way to go when shedding that excess body weight.