Life is hectic. Between work, family, and a whole list of to-dos, finding the time for you can be an impossible challenge. In particular, finding time to be healthy may seem like a luxury. The truth is however, that an increasing number of Americans are losing track of proper healthy living, resulting in the highest rates of obesity ever recorded. As a whole, we need to lose weight. The guide below provides various kinds of foods that can help you lose weight as you diet and exercise.

1. Beans

Beans are a fantastic source for nutrients. They can be very inexpensive when purchased dry, and can be made into any number of dishes. Beans are among the best foods for weight loss because they are healthy, tasty, and relatively low carb. That means you can feel fuller eating less, which helps to make dieting more bearable.

2. Soups

Whether it is a hot vegetarian chili or a broth based soup, soups are among the best foods for weight loss. This is because they are primarily water. On average, Americans do not drink nearly enough water. When the body wants water, the signal is sometimes interpreted as hunger. Soups remove these signals and help the body feel full.

The best part is that many home made soups are very low in calories. As an additional note, try making a vegetarian chili using a number of different beans. With the right spices, you can have a truly excellent dish.

3. Lentils

You can make a million different meals with lentils. With the same lentils and different spices, you can create dishes completely different from one another. Lentils are healthy, packed with nutrients, low calorie, and tasty. With celery, onions, and garlic, they can be simply fantastic.

Experiment with different kinds of lentils and split peas to find your favorite. They can also be prepared as smooth as a soup or very chunky, providing a range of textures.

4. Apples

Apples, and other large fruits that require a lot of chewing are excellent if you are looking to lose weight through dieting. Less then 100 calories, a very large apple will take a long time to chew and eat, sending signals to the brain and reducing your overall hunger. In addition, they have a great deal of fiber which helps with feeling less full.

A Final Note:

If nothing else when considering the foods above and creating a plan for you, remember not to become discouraged. Our bodies will naturally gain and lose weight over the course of a day, week and month. Along with the pounds that come from water weight, there may be a week or two where you feel like you are making no progress.

This is common among people losing weight, and you should not be discouraged. Track weight loss over the course of months to get a better sense, measure your body so that you can see definitive progress, do not give up hope, and good luck!

More about: Diets