I’ve been asked to become a Salata Blog Ambassador to share healthy tips with you. In fact, they sponsored this post and provided me with some nutrition facts. That said, all my opinions I share on this site (including in this article) are my own.
So. You want to lose weight. But you’re Just.So.Hungry. But what if I told you that you could add (or eat more of) certain foods and still slim down? Turns out that there’s something to that whole food mindset.
If you want to lose weight and keep it off, there isn’t a magic pill or fast track, but there is a time-proven method that will help you achieve a healthy weight. And the Standard American Diet isn’t really a big part of that.
Have you ever had a healthful salad for dinner and felt like you needed a nap? Probably not.
But, you’ve probably had some pizza and felt that way. That’s because lower-density foods are easier for your body to digest, while still promoting satiety.
Satiety: (“sa-TIE-atee”). the state of feeling full.
When you’re trying to lose weight, there are so many “diet” foods on the market that it’s tempting to just push your shopping cart around in the center of the store. Many restaurants aren’t much better, promoting butter-drenched vegetables as the “healthy” side dish.
I’m not saying butter is bad (I love Bulletproof Coffee as much as the next gal), but if you want to stay full while slimming down, chances are your eating habits could use a bit of an overhaul.
And guess what? There are lots of delicious whole foods that will help you stay full, and are meant to properly nourish your body.
Mango
Mangos are Smalls’ favorite food. They are also known in some circles as the ‘king’ of fruits, because they contain healthy doses of vitamins C, A, B6, as well as potassium and magnesium.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are tiny powerhouses of nutrition. They contain under 100 calories per tablespoon, and because they expand in liquid, they’ll help to bulk up your food, but not you. Additionally, chia seeds are a great addition to salad dressings, overnight oats, and smoothies.
Avocado
Avocados are high in fiber (over 13 grams per fruit!), monounsaturated fats, and they’re downright delicious. They also make a wonderful addition to your breakfast, work great as a mayo replacement, and are super tasty on salads.
Pears
Pears are a staple in our house. They are full of fiber, nutrient-dense and one pear has over 5 grams of fiber. Plus, they’re in season!
Nuts
Nuts are a great addition to a healthy diet, as they contain quite a bit of fiber and are super portable. I never leave the house without a small bag of raw almonds.
Other favorites in my house are pecans, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts.
Chicken
When you’re cutting out the junk, your body needs energy from the foods you do eat. Chicken is low in fat, high in protein, contains phosphorus (promotes healthy teeth and bones), selenium, and B vitamins. And it’s tasty. I love a the marinated chicken at Salata, and so do my boys.
I am currently addicted to their pesto chicken, and Ish is loving their chipotle marinade.
Blueberries
Do you ever wonder why blueberries are blue? There’s a flavonoid known as anthocyanins, that gives foods like blueberries, cranberries, red cabbage and eggplants their colors. These delicious little berries contain iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese, zinc, copper, as well as vitamins C, B6, K, A, and E.
Watermelon
Not surprisingly, watermelons are mostly water. In addition, watermelon contains fiber, as well as significant levels of vitamins A, B6, and C.
Kale
Kale is amazing. It’s tasty, and full of fiber. Not to mention that it’s good raw or cooked. I love to add kale to my smoothies, and I even tossed it in my salad this weekend! If you’re not a kale fan, look for other dark leafy greens like spinach, spring mix, arugula, chard, and romaine.
Don’t Let Restaurants Scare You!
So many people are scared to eat out because many of the “healthy” options aren’t filling, or they order a salad, only to find out that it’s loaded with calories. I love making my own salads, but when you’re running around with the kids, that’s not always possible.
If we aren’t home for meals, we usually stop by Salata because they allow me to build my own salad and choose filling foods. They even have blueberries, mango, and watermelon this month! I have put all three on my salad this weekend….
Ish thought I was a little looney until he took a bite of my salad. It was divine. Don’t be afraid to seek out restaurants like Salata that allow you to truly be in charge of your food options. You can choose from a huge selection of greens, fruit and vegetable toppings, nuts, seeds, legumes, and more.
Find opportunities to be in control of your choices when you’re out of the house – like a salad station where you can control exactly what goes into your salad (and your belly).
So you’re not a salad person?
That’s okay! Look for soups (I am in love with Salata’s tomato soup!), which are filling, high in fiber and perfect if the weather takes a turn (though living in Texas, that’s a rare occasion this time of year).
Remember, as you begin eating healthier, higher quality foods, you’ll find that you start to crave them. It’s such an amazing feeling to crave a mango for dessert instead of half a pan of brownies.
Changes don’t happen overnight, and it’s okay (and recommended, at least by me!) to take it one day at a time, one non-scale victory at a time.
If your coworkers want to go out, make healthy suggestions. Take charge of your journey. You’ll be amazed at your progress this time next month!
