Weird Natural Weight Loss Foods?
Looking for some weird or uncommon, natural weight loss foods? Well, we are a little weird, so you have come to the right place! Check out these natural weight loss foods and how they can help you lose weight naturally!
Natural Weight Loss Foods to the Rescue
The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than what you take in.
But does this have to mean starving yourself? Of course not!
If you make the right choices you can eat and still lose weight. In fact, there are certain foods that can help you to do just that. And, there are certain foods that are more hype than helpful… Read on to learn the difference.
Eating to Lose Weight
You probably know that many vegetables, particularly green ones, have so few calories and are so high in healthy fiber and other nutrients that you can eat essentially as much as you want and still lose weight.
Among these are various types of lettuce, spinach, kale, celery, onions, and more. Carrots, too, are healthy with low calories, as are broccoli, cauliflower, the list goes on and on.
In addition, research abounds about how important it is to avoid processed sugar and sweetened foods, avoid too much starch, but eat foods rich in whole grains and lean protein.
Uncommon Natural Weight Loss Foods
Above we talked about some of the obvious eating choices that everyone knows about. But, there are a few interesting, and rare, foods that can also help you on your weight loss journey.
1. Cooking in Virgin Coconut oil
Coconut oil is unsaturated fat, and while high calorie (like all fats), is known to be one of the more healthy fats.
There are some who would have you believe that intentionally ingesting one to two tablespoons of this oil a day can help to lose weight. The famed Mayo Clinic strongly disagrees and no clinical studies support this type of intake as conducive to weight loss.
[Note: There has been some research on a coconut oil/rice cooking method that greatly reduces the number of calories absorbed.] Sure, olive oil is good, but experience suggests that coconut oil has more potential weight management qualities.However, using virgin coconut oil for cooking can help make your foods better tasting (read: more satisfying) and more healthy.
Start sautéing your meats and veggies in coconut oil and see how good they taste and how great you feel!
2. Dark Chocolate for a sweet craving
Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and has much less sugar than milk chocolate.
Some studies have actually suggested that there is a benefit to eating dark chocolate, it might improve heart health, immune functioning, and more.
But it does still have fat and calories. So, does this mean that you can eat an entire dark chocolate bar and be vindicated?
No. One or two bite-sized pieces of high-quality dark chocolate a day (the higher the cacao value the better) should be enough to give you some healthy antioxidants and also kick that sweet craving right where it counts.
3. Rose petal water
There are almost as many types of tea that you can buy in this world as there are plants.
Today, rose petal tea is gaining in popularity, with many saying that it can help you to lose weight. Is this true? Yes and no.
Rose petal water has been shown to have a diuretic and laxative effect – it makes you eliminate more liquid and solid waste. This can be helpful in riding your body of toxins or getting rid of an uncomfortable bloated feeling. And, it can result in a short-term loss of a couple of pounds.
However, it will not be fat pounds lost. So, use rose petal water to begin a diet and give you that “wow, I lost a few pounds” boost, or if you need to get down a couple of pounds for a sporting competition weigh-in, but don’t expect to look much different.
4. Drinking a little olive oil
Similar to coconut oil, olive oil is considered a “healthy” fat. It is great for salad dressings and cooking veggies or meats. It adds a subtle yet yummy taste to things, and along with a few spices makes a bread dip or spread much healthier than butter.
Clinical studies have even shown that eating foods prepared with olive oil give you a sense of being full longer, meaning you may eat less.
Some people say that you can drink it to get that fullness, but really you are better off using it to prepare and season healthy veggies, meats, and whole grains.
5. Smelling peppermint
Taste and smell are strongly linked together. Many people find that smelling peppermint can help them get past a sweet craving.
Essential peppermint oil on a cotton ball in a small jar can make this easy – just put it on your kitchen windowsill and take a sniff when temptation strikes.
Another trick – a few drops of grapefruit juice on your tongue can also cut a sweet craving at the knees.
6. Excessively hot peppers
Hot peppers contain a compound called capsaicin that is said to increase energy, increase metabolism, and suppress appetite. Try adding some spice to your meals, particularly before a workout.
Wrap-Up
Will any of the above 6 foods be your magic bullet to weight loss, helping you shed pounds of fat every week? Of course not.
But, when used properly, these foods and tips can help you to control your eating, ingest fewer calories, and better achieve your own weight loss goals faster and more easily!
Start using these healthy natural weight loss foods and tips now and you can look your best for that next holiday party or work event.
Updated 9/25/2018
- The 6 Best Foods For Weight Loss - December 28, 2023