If you are tired of battling your bulge, it might be time to integrate more fruit into your daily eating patterns. Not only are the nutrients in fruit good for your body, eating more fruit can actually help you lose a pound or two. Most fruits are low in calories and high in fiber and protein that help fuel the body. Check out just ten of numerous ways fruit can help you to lose weight.
1. Fill up your tummy
Like drinking plenty of water, eating healthy fruit fills up your tummy so there is less room for junk food. The more fruit you eat in a day, the less likely you are to want to add chemical-laden junk food to your body. Not only will your belly be full of nutrient-rich fruit, your mind will be more at peace in the knowledge that you’ve given your ‘machine’ exactly the fuel it needs.
2. Reduce food cravings
Eating natural food choices like fruit helps reduce the number of food cravings you’ll experience. Artificial sweeteners and preservatives increase cravings for processed foods which can lead to binge eating. The more fruit you ingest, the more energy you’ll have, leading to more willpower to fight the occasional lust for foods on the naughty list.
More: 6 Instant Ways to Get Your Cravings under Control
3. Help flush bile out of your body
Fruit pectin can help flush bile out of your body. Unless you are a big fan of having bile back up in your esophagus, you’ll want to enjoy fruits like pears and apples to keep your gullet clear. There’s nothing like a bout of indigestion to put you off working out or going for a walk.
4. Low-glycemic fruits
Low-glycemic fruits are better for weight loss than high-glycemic fruits. Given the choice between a banana and an apple, choose the apple. You want to choose fruits that slowly convert to sugar over fruits that give you a quick jolt of sugary energy. Who knew there was a science to picking fruit, right?
5. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a great filler food choice for breakfast. Instead of having a slice of toast with your scrambled eggs, opt for a handful of grapefruit slices instead. You can even cut each slice in half which lengthens the time it takes you to clean your plate. The slower you eat your breakfast, the sooner you will start to feel full. A full belly is far less likely to want to binge on bagels or bacon.
6. Apples
Apples are another filler fruit that can lessen the likelihood of overeating. A thinly sliced apple and a spoon of full-fat peanut butter are a mighty tasty combination. Dip each apple slice in the peanut butter and savor the nutty/sweet combination. Your brain sensors will react to the indulgence and quiet your cravings for sugary treats.
More: Sweet Treats! Diet-Friendly Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
7. Dried fruits
Dried fruits like prunes can also help quench your lust for sweet treats. Sprinkle a couple of sliced prunes on top of a spinach salad for a taste sensation that is both sweet and savory at the same time. Your mind will realize that you’ve already enjoyed a sugary substance and won’t yearn for an after-dinner treat like dessert.
8. Fruits are rich in fiber
Fruit is full of fiber. The more fiber in your body, the better your bowel movements will be. An empty bowel equals a lower number on the bathroom scale. Remember that equation the next time you want to choose a processed food snack over a piece of fruit.
9. Help give up sugar
If you have a habit of scooping sugar on your breakfast cereal, opt for a handful of raspberries or blueberries instead. You can even use frozen fruit on top of your bowl of steaming hot porridge. The fruity taste satiates your need for sugar and reduces the caloric count of your breakfast at the same time.
10. Cottage cheese and fruit
Cottage cheese with fruit is a fabulous alternative to an evening snack of ice cream. The creaminess of the cottage cheese quenches your desire for ice cream and the fruit quiets the need for sugar. Dried currants are especially tasty and don’t add massive amounts of sugar to this high-protein treat.
More: 10 Weight-Loss Snacks for the Perfect Body
Now you’ll have no excuse to choose processed foods over fruit. You can lose weight, eat healthy, and have more energy thanks to all of the nutrients you’ll be ingesting. Are you ready to enjoy a slimmer and healthier body? What are your favorite ways to eat more fruits daily?