With so much buzz around superfoods in recent years, you may be wondering exactly what a superfood is, and what the best options are when it comes to your overall health—especially when it comes to weight loss. Luckily, we spoke to nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of the Candida Diet, to answer those questions.
As it turns out, Richards says that superfoods are simply “a classification of foods which are nutrient-dense and considered to be highly beneficial to our health.” And while they may not necessarily be able to make any miracles happen, eating these foods regularly can definitely be beneficial to your health and aid you on your weight loss journey, thanks to the fact that “they provide more than the typical nutrients through phytochemicals and other plant compounds.” But how about the best ones for weight loss? Richards told us that quinoa and leafy greens are among the superior options. Learn more about these tasty staples below!
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1. Quinoa
Attention, lovers of grain bowls! It's time to kick your white rice to the curb and replace it with the one grain in particular that Richards says can do wonders for your weight loss progress: quinoa. This superfood is fantastic for so many reasons, but one of the main benefits is the fact that it contains plant nutrients known as phenolic compounds. As Richards tells us, these compounds make quinoa a great source of antioxidants, which work to protect your body from cellular damage and inflammation.
Additionally, quinoa is packed with fiber. This is good for weight loss for a few reasons. First off, fiber-rich foods like this one keep you fuller longer, which means you're less likely to overeat later down the line. Richards notes that the fiber in quinoa can also "help stabilize blood sugar and reduce cholesterol," two great benefits for your overall health—and your waistline.
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2. Leafy greens
There's no overestimating the importance of leafy greens in a healthy diet! And as Richards points out, this is especially true for weight loss. In fact, she says dark leafy greens are among the best superfoods out there when it comes to slimming down. "Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens are rich in antioxidant nutrients that can help reduce inflammation in the body when they are consumed," she explains, which is valuable for weight loss since inflammation can be a major culprit of higher glucose levels and, in turn, weight gain.
Spinach in particular is one tasty, versatile, and nutritious veggie that can help you on your fitness journey. Richards tells us that "spinach also contains lutein, which is a naturally anti-inflammatory nutrient and related to vitamin A and beta-carotene, fat soluble vitamins," all of which can help you kick those extra pounds to the curb.
Of course, there's no singular, magical food that you can eat every day to become instantly skinny. Unfortunately, no superfood makes for a hassle-free shortcut to weight loss. However, filling your diet with nutrient-dense foods like these is one major key to a healthier weight and overall lifestyle. So when in doubt, throw some quinoa and greens onto your plate!
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