Best Fruit For Weight Loss: Top 5 Produce Picks, According To Experts
By If you’re looking to take your waistline down a few inches, drop some pounds and start the journey to looking (and feeling) better, your diet might have to change. When the sweet tooth rears its ugly head, reaching for a piece of fruit is always better than a high-calorie option at the coffee shop. Some of the best fruit for weight loss can help you satisfy cravings without the consequences.
In a recent study, research shows that people who have managed to maintain weight loss for a year or more have done so by relying more on exercise as opposed to a strict diet. While exercise is definitely important, it’s safe to assume you’ll have a harder time losing weight when you’re eating high-calorie food that is designed to keep you eating. Another reason why fruits and veggies are your best friends when dieting.
Aside from being a healthier option, a new study shows that eating more fruits can help with depression. In fact, people who habitually and frequently eat fruit are more likely to report greater positive mental well-being and less likely to experience depressive symptoms.
Okay, you’re standing in the produce section and looking over your fruit options, but how do you make your selection? StudyFinds set out to do the research for you, visiting 10 expert websites to put together this list of the best fruit for weight loss. If you’ve got your own suggestions, please leave them in the comments below!
The List: Best Fruit for Weight Loss, Per Experts
1. Pineapple
Our spiky friend with the crazy green “hair” is the top pick among experts for the best fruit to eat while trying to lose weight. Plus, it’s delicious!
“Despite tasting really sweet, pineapples are actually relatively low in calories, with a whole cup of pineapple chunks coming out to just under 83 calories,” says The Diet Chefs.
Hurry the Food Up boasts about is nutritional value: “This bright yellow exotic fruit gives you a boost of vitamin C (79 grams) and provides only 83 kcal in one cup, which makes it a perfect filling snack for your weight loss program.”
“Pineapples are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients,” adds Style Craze. “Consume a cup of pineapple every day to improve digestion and induce fat breakdown.”
Dried Pineapple Chunks, 1 Pound. Dehydrated Pineapple Chunk, Dehydrated Pineapple Bulk, Dried Pineapple Bits. All Natural, Non-GMO, Lightly Sweetened Dried Pineapples, 16 oz.2. Strawberries
Good news! One of the most liked fruits is one of the best fruits for weight loss! Other berries could easily fit into this pick, but strawberries take the number two spot.
“Low in calories, and high in nutrients, strawberries are a great addition to your diet if you’re trying to lose weight—their natural sweetness will help satisfy your desire for something sweet,” says Men’s Health.
Weight loss isn’t the only thing that strawberries help with, “they also improve blood flow, assist with various cardiovascular problems, provide anti-aging benefits, assist with hyperpigmentation and acne, and lower cholesterol,” writes LifeHack.
They are loaded with all the good stuff. According to Women’s Health,“Berries are my favorite fruit to recommend since they are the highest in fiber and lowest in sugar and are packed with antioxidants so they are optimal for health.”
3. Grapefruit
That one fruit that is common knowledge to eat while dieting is on the list? Who knew?
While it doesn’t have calories below zero, it’s a good pick, “It’s a myth that grapefruit is a negative calorie food; No food is…But, high-in-fiber, low-in-calories, and flavorful still makes it a good addition to a weight loss plan,” says Eat This.
“These delicious fruits are rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. Studies have shown that regularly eating grapefruit can help you burn stomach fat, reduce waist circumference, and regulate blood pressure levels,” adds HealthifyMe.
Keck Medicine of USC says this is another fruit that packs a punch, “It contains a great amount of vitamin C, folic acid, and potassium. Pink and red grapefruits are packed with vitamin A and lycopene, which has been shown to help prevent chronic diseases, including diabetes and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.”
Sliced grapefruit (Photo by Estúdio Bloom on Unsplash)
4. Watermelon
The hero fruit of summer picnics everywhere belongs in your fridge, in your mouth, and off your waistline! “One cup of diced watermelon contains just 46 calories, 21% of your daily vitamin C needs and 17% vitamin A, along with trace amounts of other important vitamins and minerals. Thanks to its high water content, it also counts toward some of your daily fluid intake,” Legion explains.
Men’s Health talks about its cancer prevention qualities, “Watermelon is 92 percent water. Its water helps to fill you up, plus you’re getting the antioxidant lycopene, which can be protective of prostate cancer in men.”
LifeHack agrees with the two experts above, “Besides losing weight, eating watermelon can help keep you hydrated, improve your heart health, lower oxidative stress, and reduce inflammation.”
5. Avocado
Some might consider this a wildcard pick since a plain avocado won’t hit that same spot for sweetness. However, its hefty nutritional qualities can’t be overlooked.
“These fruits are incredibly nutrient-dense, offering nearly 20 vitamins and minerals per fruit including 53% of your daily dose of vitamin K, 41% of your folate needs, 33% of vitamin C, 28% of potassium, and 21% of your vitamin E needs,” says Legion.
While higher in calories, it’s still a filling pick, “Avocado is way higher in calories than most other fruit (yes, avo is a fruit!). But eaten in moderation, it can help promote weight loss, as it may help squash your appetite,” adds Women’s Health.
Everyday Health points out its other benefits: “The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in avocados have been linked to better heart health, and they increase your satiation level by a large degree.”
Sources:
- The Diet Chefs
- Hurry the Food Up
- Style Craze
- Men’s Health
- LifeHack
- Women’s Health
- Eat This
- HealthifyMe
- Keck Medicine of USC
- Legion
- Everyday Health
You might also be interested in:
Main source: Study Finds
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
Photo by Massimiliano Martini on Unsplash
