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When it comes to crafting a healthy diet for weight loss, odds are that salads are one of the first meals that comes to mind. Vegetables are some of the most nutritionally dense foods you could be eating regularly, filling you up with fiber and naturally boosting your metabolism to make it easier to achieve healthy weight loss without depriving your body.
With this, there are some salad ingredients which are better at fueling your body for weight loss, and whether they be protein sources or vegetables which are more difficult to digest, they can have a profound effect on the speed of your metabolism, burning through calories with ease for effortless results. Next time you’re at the grocery store stocking up on ingredients for a fresh salad, these are the top four foods registered dietitian Trista Best suggests adding to your cart for a healthy boost as you work towards your body goals.
Chickpeas
A great source of plant based protein, chickpeas will help to increase satiety and bulk up your salad for weight loss so you aren’t feeling hungry within an hour after eating. "This will help to keep your salad relatively low in calories while still being filling all without blowing your metabolism and health goals," notes Best. "Loading your salad with nutrient dense foods will simultaneously increase your nutrients while also ensuring you are full and satisfied after your meal." Not only this, but adding protein to your meal will lower the chance of overindulging later in the day, making it easier to achieve the necessary deficit for weight loss.
Avocado
Healthy fats are essential to any balanced diet, and avocado is one of the best and most flavorful variations of this nutrient. One half of an avocado provides 15g of fat, making it the ideal addition to your salad to keep you full and increase fat burn naturally. "Avocado [provides] healthy and anti-inflammatory fats to control inflammation in the body and speed metabolism," explains Best. Healthy fats have also been known to increase satiety as well, making your salad more than just a few leaves of lettuce and packed with antioxidants.
Carrot
Some vegetables require the body to exert more effort to digest them, making them ideal for increasing fat burn for weight loss. Carrot is not only great for improving your vision, but can also boost your metabolism as well. "The body must work extra hard to digest [carrots], ultimately leading to higher metabolism," explains Best. Rich in vitamin K, potassium, and fiber, carrots are a dense and filling vegetable that will compliment any salad for smooth weight loss.
Cucumber
Cucumber is another vegetable which requires more energy to digest than most foods, making it a great addition to your salads for an effortless metabolism boost. A hydrating veggie as well, cucumber contains potassium, vitamin A and C which will help to flush your body of toxins and improve digestion overall. Low in calories, cucumbers pack a punch to your salad while ultimately making it easier to lose weight.
