And you thought the Mediterranean diet was just about heart health!
Key Takeaways
TheMediterranean diethas long been celebrated as one of the healthiest eating patterns in the world.
And its low in added sugars, red meat and highly processed foods.
Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
That, in turn, may make it easier to stick with over time.
That said, there are lots of foods to choose from.
So, we asked dietitians which Mediterranean diet foods stand out for weight loss.
Here are their five favorites.
What makes them so powerful for weight loss?
If youre looking for ways to add more of these mighty legumes to your diet, think soup.
If you have a little extra time, whip up a batch of our rich, creamyhomemade Greek yogurt.
Chickpeas
Also known as garbanzo beans,chickpeasare packed with appetite-suppressing plant-based protein and dietary fiber.
And they had healthier diets, too.
If youre looking for more ways to add chickpeas to your day, roast a big batch ofcrunchy chickpeas.
If youre worried about their fat, you might relax.
Evidence finds that even though nuts are high in fat, eating them doesnt lead to weight gain.
Instead, the opposite is true.
A wide body of research shows that nuts may help with weight control and prevent long-term weight gain.
Of course, nuts are a fantastic grab-and-go snack.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Whole fruits and vegetables are the foundations of the Mediterranean diet.
While all produce is a win for weight loss, green leafy vegetables have decided benefits.
So, they fill you up with negligible calories.
Spinach is, perhaps, the most noteworthy leafy green in the Mediterranean diet.
That said, there arelotsof foods to choose from.
If you could use additional inspiration, this30-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Weight Losscan get you started.
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