The Best Diet Foods for Quick Weight Loss

Losing weight can be a difficult endeavor, especially if you aren't really sure where to start. While exercise is an important part of any weight-loss plan, diet is also a very important factor, and a good place to start your road to losing weight. There are certain food groups that aid in weight loss tremendously, and some tips and information to know about each group. Start a diet consisting mostly of these three items: protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and you'll be on track to start losing weight.

Fruits and Vegetables

The water content, fiber and nutritional value of fruits and veggies make them one of the best items to eat for fast weight loss. Some fruits and vegetables even have negative calorie effects, because your body burns more calorie digesting the food than the actual number of calories in the item. Just be careful about how you are eating the fruits and veggies. Many canned, packaged or frozen fruits contain added sugar that can be a hindrance to weight loss. Also, many preparations of veggies, especially in restaurants, call for lots of butter or other calorie-laden sauces. Raw fruits and veggies are best.

Whole grains

Many people think that carbohydrates are the enemy if you are trying to lose weight. In fact, whole grains are a good form of carbohydrates, and great for weight loss. Like fruits and vegetables, whole grains contain a large amount of fiber, which regulates digestion, makes you feel fuller, and ultimately aids in weight loss. By switching out any white breads from your diet in exchange for whole grain, and integrating healthy grains such as oatmeal, quinoa and brown rice into your diet, you'll feel better and lose weight. But just because the package says "whole-wheat" doesn't mean it's the best option. Look for items without high-fructose corn syrup and stay away from "enriched wheat flour."

Protein

Lean proteins such as chicken, fish, legumes (beans), egg whites and soy are good for weight loss because they help your body build muscle, which in turn burns fat. These items are also low in calories and your body burns almost as many calories digesting them as it does with some fruits and veggies. Nuts are another good source of protein. While higher in fat, nuts contain the good, natural fats that your body needs.