The Best Weight-Loss Foods

Most people understand that in order to lose weight, they should eat healthy foods. But some foods actually can help you lose weight more efficiently than others. Supercharge your diet with these top foods for weight loss, and watch the pounds melt away.

Protein Power

• Protein-packed foods can help you retain muscle mass as you lose weight, and can help you burn calories faster. Even though traditional diet thinking usually means cutting out red meat and eggs, you actually should incorporate these foods into your diet (in moderation) to help you lose weight faster. Eating red meat helps your muscles stay strong, and having an egg for breakfast fills you up more than a protein-free option would, so you will eat less for the remainder of the day. Try eating red meat with one or two meals per week, and eggs for two or three breakfasts per week, to gain health benefits from these powerful proteins.

Filling Fiber

• Adding fiber to your diet helps you feel fuller longer, which means you will eat fewer snacks throughout the day. Try kale or spinach for fiber and greens; whole oats also are power-packed with fiber. Oats take a long time to digest, so they stay with you longer than other foods. Lentils also are full of fiber, and they contain high levels of protein. According to Self magazine's website, eating lentils helps to stabilize your blood sugar, so you will not feel the pangs of hunger as often throughout the day; and they can stop your body from producing excess belly fat. Apples are another high-fiber snack food option; an apple a day will help keep the larger pants at bay.

  For another fiber alternative, cook buckwheat pasta instead of traditional varieties. You probably won't notice much of a flavor difference once you add sauce, but your body will benefit from the fiber and protein buckwheat contains.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Blueberries are some of the healthiest fruits you can eat, due to their high levels of fiber and antioxidants. Pomegranates also are very healthy fruit choices, because their seeds are high in antioxidants and low in calories. Use pomegranate seeds instead of nuts or croutons in your salad, and you will notice a healthy difference.

  Spicy chili peppers can improve your metabolism; the heat contained in them comes from a substance called capsaicin, according to Self magazine online. You can add chilis to your sauces and salsas for a healthy snack option that helps you burn calories after you finish eating.

  Some dieters avoid avocado because of its high fat content, but this particular fat is healthy for you, as long as you eat it in small portions. Try adding sliced avocado to your sandwiches, or snacking on healthy guacamole dip with baked tortilla chips.