Dropping pounds can be incredibly challenging. Once people have reached their health and fitness goals there is always the fear of regressing back to former bad behaviors and packing the pounds right back on. Following are some of the best foods to eat for maintaining weight loss.
Stock up on fresh, nutrient dense fruits and vegetables. The soluble fiber that these contain will keep you feeling full far longer than will many other alternatives. Apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, carrots and celery are all good choices. These are also easy to carry along with you so that you can munch on them at your desk or while driving your car. You can avoid unhealthy food cravings by keeping your body full with nutritious options like these.
Produce will provide an impressive array of complex carbohydrates. You should also be getting carbs from whole grain sources. Try to consume steamed brown rice several times per week and make sure to only eat breads and other bread products that are made from whole, organic and unrefined grains.
Even though you are trying to maintain a slim physique, you still want to make sure that your body is getting a sufficient amount of fat. The key is to focus on getting plenty of heart-healthy fats. These can be found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel or tuna. You can also find heart healthy fats in olives, avocados, coconuts, coconut oil, tree nuts and true nut butters. Peanuts are not true nuts (they are a legume) and thus, you should try to limit your consumption of these.
Lean protein is another important element to focus on. This contains the building blocks for muscle support and new muscle development. Opt for fish or lean chicken and turkey. If dining on beef, make sure that the majority of the fat has been trimmed away. Finally, always make sure to treat yourself. Food can still be comforting and it can still be a joy to eat. Enjoy fresh fruit sorbets, dark chocolate and yogurt parfait or other, healthful yet tasty desserts.
