13 foods that won’t make you put on weight

In Insider’s article, it was explained that you can eat as much as you want of these 13 foods and you still won’t put on weight!

1. Air-popped popcorn

Microwave/movie popcorn has ruined this food’s reputation, but when popcorn is made with an air popper and topped with a sprinkling of salt, it becomes a healthy snack.

2. Arugula

Forget watery and flavourless romaine lettuce — the peppery and slightly bitter notes of fresh arugula make it the ultimate salad essential. A simple arugula salad with olive oil, shaved Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of sea salt is a healthy and delicious side to a meal.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries can fit into almost any meal and pack a mean punch of nutrients simultaneously. Add some to granola or yogurt; or blend some frozen blueberries and bananas with a hint of lemon juice for an easy, three-ingredient, vegan ice cream. They can also be added to a salad or enjoyed as a snack.

Watch this: Healthy breakfast ideas for the weekend 

4. Celery

Celery is 95 per cent water, and the rest of the stalk is made up of soluble and insoluble fiber. Try dipping some in hummus for a healthy snack.

5. Edamame

Edamame, which literally means ‘stemmed-bean’, are just immature soybeans. They can be purchased shelled, frozen or still in their pods. The beans can easily be incorporated into pastas, salads, grain bowls and even smoothies. That said, steamed edamame sprinkled with a little bit of sea salt is a simple delicacy.

6. Egg whites

The whites from one egg contain almost four grams of protein and only 17 calories. Combine egg whites with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and feta for a quick and healthy egg white omelette. But don’t completely ignore the yolk as it contains important vitamins and minerals.

7. Oranges

Don’t just run them through a juicer; this fibrous citrus fruit is a useful weight-loss tool when consumed whole. Ripping through an orange provides your daily amount of vitamin C, but it also contributes other nutrients such as folate, potassium and vitamin B1.

8. Portobello mushrooms

Portobello is just one of the 38,000 different varieties of mushrooms, but its size and hearty texture makes it a popular meat substitute. Don’t be afraid to stack them high for your next veggie burger. They’re also delicious grilled or stuffed with spinach, garlic and a little cream cheese.

9. Seaweed

Edible seaweed has been a staple of East Asian cuisine for centuries. Nowadays, you can find some form of seaweed in supermarkets all over the world. Seaweed is a powerful source of iodine, an essential mineral that contributes to a healthy, functioning thyroid.

11. Strawberries

These smoothie staples are sweet, a little tart, and really satisfying. A Harvard study linked anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids found in strawberries, to a reduced risk of heart attack in young and middle-aged women. Eat a cup of strawberries with a dollop of fresh whipped cream for a guilt-free dessert.

Watch this: Start your day with these healthy snacks 

12. Sugar snap peas

Sugar snap peas possess a natural sweetness and texture, which makes them the ideal snack to munch on. Sugar snap peas can be eaten raw, like in a salad, or cooked, like in a stir-fry.

13. Sweet potatoes

It might be a humble root, but the sweet potato is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. It’s a rich source of beta-carotene — a pigment that eventually converts to vitamin A within the body.

Read Insider’s article and more great need-to-knows here.

DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. 
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?

Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)