13 Foods That Trim down Your Body the Natural Way

With 2014 finally here, many #people will be on a huge health kick, looking for all the best foods that trim down your body. It’s easy to want a quick fix solution to trimming down, but if you want to know a secret, most of us make it way too hard. Trimming down the natural and healthy way is really quite simple, and more so than you think. To trim down the easy way, and actually not go hungry or suffer from poor nutrition, all we need to do is choose a larger amount of simple, healthy foods. All the foods below will naturally help you drop pounds the way your body prefers and was meant to do. Try just filling your plate with these foods that trim down your body each day, and in no #time you’ll slim down the natural and smart way, without going hungry or feel like you’re dieting. Better yet, pair as many of them together as possible for meals and snacks, and have fun coming up with new combinations!

 1. Fish

Fish is one superfood I will always be an advocate of and it’s one of the best foods that trim down your body quickly. Why? It’s high in amino acids that digest seamlessly in your #body, for immediate use to repair and increase your lean muscle mass. It’s also almost fat free, low in #calories and contains no carbs at all. Pair fish with some of the healthy foods #below for the most filling benefits and eat 4-5 servings a week. Regardless that some sources can be high in mercury, if you choose a good source, fish is a much better alternative than choosing meat for #weight loss.

2. Greens

Greens are my favorite trim food of all. Kale, spinach, arugula, romaine, collards, etc, they’re all amazing for you. They balance the mind, body and they’re so low in #calories, but fill you up quickly. Due to their intense nutrient profile, greens also signal immediate nourishment to your brain, which satisfies it sooner. When you eat foods with little nutrients, it’s easier to naturally be hungrier because your body isn’t getting the nutrients it wants and needs. Eating greens takes care of that because they’re high in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that your #body literally craves. Eat a huge salad or bowl of steamed greens and see if you don’t agree with me!

3. Veggies

While you’re upping your greens, don’t forget about veggies too! My favorite veggies are celery, turnips, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes and carrots, but any veggie is game. Do be careful with white potatoes as they can spike your blood sugar just like a refined piece of bread would. Opt for purple red or sweet potatoes instead. Also, as long as you tolerate them, don’t forget about broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, onions and cabbage either. They’re brimming with nutrition! All veggies are full of vitamins, fiber and water, which fill you up, add bulk and ensure your #body gets exactly what it needs. Cooking them makes them easier to digest than eating them raw, so don’t think they need to be raw to get all the healthy #benefits.

4. Egg Whites

Egg whites are the lowest calorie source of animal protein per ounce. For ¼ cup of egg whites, you’re only looking at 25 calories, no fat, no carbs and straight protein. Don’t fear the whole yolk as long as you keep it to one a day, but egg whites are the most figure friendly option of the two. Egg whites can be added to anything, be it a smoothie, oatmeal or cooked up with some veggies. Any way you want to use them is great. They fill you up and hold you over for a long time, with very little #calories in them. This trims you down in no time, but be sure to get a little healthy fat from other sources if you can. Eating all protein and no fat all the #time isn’t good for your metabolism long term. Short term though, #egg whites will trim you down incredibly fast.

5. Nonfat Greek Yogurt

I adore nonfat Greek yogurt. Even if I don’t eat any other animal protein source, which I try to monitor, I always eat Greek yogurt, plain and unsweetened. It is the perfect anti-stress, low sugar and high protein snack. It contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and a large amount of zinc as well. Yogurt is a food more #women need to be eating, but not the high sugar varieties most of us are used to. Choose plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt and pair it with a low sugar fruit like berries, or some stevia to sweeten it up without adding sugar. I use it in smoothies as well, as it makes for a delicious ice cream like shake that’s secretly healthy for you! The probiotics, protein, low sugar and fat-free qualities of Greek yogurt help you drop pounds quickly, despite that it comes from a dairy source.

6. Psyllium Husks

If you haven’t heard of psyllium husks, let me introduce you to your blood sugar, digestive tract and appetite’s #best friend. Psyllium husk is a straight plant fiber that acts in the body exactly like #chia seeds do, but it is calorie free. It’s high in soluble and insoluble fiber, swells in the digestive tract to fill you up and helps excrete wastes through the #body. Just be sure not to use too much! ⅛ tsp. added to two of your meals or snacks a day is just enough!

7. Hemp Protein

Hemp protein is by far my favorite single source of vegan protein. It’s rich in heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids, protein, magnesium, B vitamins, Vitamin E, manganese, copper, zinc and fiber. It’s also lower in fat per serving than hemp seeds, which are richer in fat. Hemp protein is simply the straight protein derived from raw hemp seeds and is an incredible source of easy to digest protein with all essential amino acids. It helps increase lean muscle and it’s very easy to digest, even though it has a lot of fiber per serving. I add hemp protein to smoothies, energy bars and even homemade puddings with Greek yogurt and stevia. Hemp protein also thickens up recipes nicely, so you can use it for baking as well. It will work like any other lean protein source to increase lean muscle mass and burn fat, but it’s more alkaline and friendly to your #body than animal sources like whey.

8. Oats

Oats are by far one of the best grains to consume, if not the best. They’re easy to digest for most #people, and if you’re scared of gluten contamination, just buy gluten-free like I do. Oats are a rich source of fiber and protein, they’re almost fat-free and they’re rich in heart healthy vitamins and minerals. Oats are unique to other grains, because they contain more protein per serving and they're just a couple grams under the almighty quinoa seed. I find oats easier to digest than quinoa, and enjoy their milder, nuttier texture. Oats are also one of the most filling foods you can eat to start your day. You can also add them to smoothies, use them to thicken omelets, muffins or even a healthy veggie meatloaf. Oats help burn fat in the body by increasing your fiber intake and protein intake. Since they stabilize your blood sugar, they also keep your insulin from storing fat in your #body and keep it even to prevent blood sugar surges.

9. Coconut

Coconut is one of my personal favorite foods for a few reasons. First, it helps stabilize your mood, enhance your mental focus and reduce stress. This relates to #weight loss for a few reasons. It helps to keep you from reaching for sugar as a quick source of fuel, and it also reduces your cortisol levels from high levels of stress. Next, coconut is high in fiber, which promotes a full feeling, and its healthy fats are burned by your liver to help increase fat burn in your #body. Just be sure to stick to all unsweetened forms of coconut. I highly recommend unsweetened coconut shreds to add to oatmeal, baking recipes or energy bars. You can also stir it in your yogurt for a filling snack. I like to use raw coconut butter in my smoothies, or as a butter replacement. I also like to eat it 1 tbsp. at a #time off the spoon when I’m hungry and need a quick energy source. #Coconut oil is the best oil to cook with since it holds its nutrients at high heat levels and will help increase fullness quicker in your meals.

10. Berries

Berries are just bursting with fat burning properties. Since they’re low in sugar, they won’t mess with your glycemic index at all. They’re also rich in antioxidants, fiber and vitamins and minerals which help release toxins from stored fat in the #body. Berries enhance your mood as well. Just adding ¼ cup to your smoothies, to your oatmeal or your yogurt is a great way to enjoy them, though the possibilities are endless!

11. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are full of fiber, just like #chia seeds, and have a host of omega 3 fatty acids to increase fat burning in the body, regulate your blood sugar and their fiber content helps increase satiety. They also contain phytoestrogens, which act like hormones in your #body, helping to relieve stress from low estrogen levels. They also help give you great #skin, as a bonus! Add ground flaxseeds, not whole, to your smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal or even cooked veggies. Their fiber helps promote regularity, which will help reduce stored toxins from your body and fight off excess water #weight.

12. Cucumbers

I adore cucumbers! They’re not just low in #calories, but filled with slimming potassium and Vitamin C. Cucumbers are also a great way to hydrate after a workout and they are a natural detoxifying fruit (yes, they’re a fruit). I freeze cubes of chopped organic cucumbers and use them in smoothies instead of bananas to lower the sugar content, increase the water content and give my smoothies a delicious, fresh taste. Try it for yourself and see how you like it!

13. Lemons

Lastly, let’s give lemons some love! Lemons are fat burning machines! They’re naturally slimming because they help move toxins out of the body and reduce stress due to their Vitamin C content. They also act as a natural diuretic to release stored water weight in your body. I like to drink lemon water when I have a headache or a stomachache and I always feel better within half an hour. They help alkalize your whole body and reduce acid contents in your blood, #stomach and your lymph fluids. Lemons also help to reduce pain and inflammation in the #body, and can even help with constipation. Brew a hot cup of water, add a few lemon slices and drink up. You won’t believe how good this is, any #time of the day. It will help trim you down naturally, without you having to go on some crazy Master Cleanse using lemons!
Obviously, there are many, many other slimming foods out there. Some of my other favorites include almonds, raw chocolate, herbs and spices and certain superfoods. I’d love to hear your favorite slimming foods if you have any. Being slim is not about starving! It’s about feeding your body with high quality ingredients that naturally keep you at a great #weight the right way. What’s your favorite slimming food?

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