Healthy Village

Permanent weight loss means eating plenty of the most nutritious foods. Healthy diet foods will curb your hunger and give you energy for exercise and other pursuits.

Here are 5 foods to make a regular part of your nutritious eating plan:

1. Nuts

Nuts have a bad reputation in many diets to lose weight because they are relatively high in fat and high in calories. But the truth is a handful of nuts goes a long way toward banishing hunger and the healthy fats they contain are too beneficial to pass up. Choose walnuts for Omega 3s or almonds for vitamin E.

2. Whole wheat pasta

Pasta was vilified in the Atkins Diet and other popular low carb eating plans as a low quality carb that spikes blood sugar and exacerbates cravings. For traditional white pasta, those claims are true. But pasta made from whole grains can be a healthy vegan source of protein and fiber.

Whole wheat pasta has a nutty taste and stands up well to vegetable dishes. This easy vegan recipe for Pasta with Vegetables will convince you it's delicious: www.lose-weight-for-life.com/easy-organic-pasta.html.

3. Grapefruit

There's something about grapefruit that speeds weight loss. I'm not advocating eating only grapefruit or anything radical, but starting your morning with half a grapefruit has its pluses.

A 2007 study by the University of California at San Diego found conclusive proof that participants who consumed half a grapefruit twice a day before meals lost significantly more weight than the control group who did not eat grapefruit.

4. Melon

Cataloupe, honeydew, watermelon - all are great weight loss foods because they are very low in calories and satisfy our cravings for something sweet. Becoming healthy is all about discovering foods that provide energy and nutrients. 

Melon has a high water content so it fills you up for very few calories. Now that most grocery stores sell cut up melon, there are no excuses to avoid this healthy vegan snack.

5. Hummus

Hummus is a mid-eastern food made from chickpeas or garbonzo beans, spices, and tahini. It's available in prepackaged form in the deli section of most grocery stores, or it's easy to make yourself. Read labels carefully to find hummus with natural ingredients.

Hummus is an excellent vegan source of protein and fiber. Dip raw vegetables or spread it on healthy crackers or whole grain flatbread for a tasty snack.

What are your favorite healthy diet foods? Share them in the comments below.