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How to lose weight naturally?

Start the day by drinking water: The body is typically dehydrated upon waking up, which the body interprets as being hungry, causing people to overeat. Hence, drinking water first thing in the morning can reduce hunger. Drinking water before meals reduces food intake because water fills up the stomach. Drinking adequate water and staying hydrated helps in overall health as well.

Eating a healthy and heavy breakfast: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Calories consumed during breakfast get burned easily compared with the rest of the meals.

High-fiber diet: Including a high portion of the fiber in the diet helps in digestion and helps achieve early satiety (feeling of fullness). A high-fiber diet includes fruits and vegetables.

 

Eating whole grains: Whole grains include brown rice, brown pasta, and brown bread. They are more nutritious than their more processed counterparts, help achieve early satiety, help in feeling full longer, and reduce hunger.

Increase protein and decrease carbohydrates: Protein has a thermic effect than carbs or fat. High protein increases metabolism, increases the number of calories burnt, and builds metabolism.

MyPlate diet plan: The US government (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA]) developed a helpful guide for adults and children to be as healthy as possible. “MyPlate” replaces the familiar “food pyramid” that has been found to be obsolete. The MyPlate model shows the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy) in a proportion set, making it easier to understand the types of food and quantity to include in each meal to have a healthy and balanced diet. The plate is divided into four unequal sections to represent different food groups. The main food groups are as follows:

  • Vegetable
  • Protein
  • Grain
  • Fruit
  • Dairy

Vegetables make up the largest portion on the plate, which is 40%, followed by grains, which is 30%. Fruits make up 10% of the plate, and protein makes up 20%. Fruits and vegetables fill half the plate, whereas proteins and grains fill the other half. A small amount of dairy in a glass (milk) or cup (yogurt) is incorporated into the diet.

Intermittent fasting: Any form of fasting helps in weight loss because of the reduction in the calorie content. There are three methods of intermittent fasting, namely, alternate-day fasting, periodic fasting, and daily time-restricted feeding. The most effective method of intermittent fasting is something that can be easily maintained, based on the individual’s daily routine. The eight-hour window for eating is commonly recommended. For example, if a meal is being eaten at 6 p.m. in the evening, the next meal should be taken at 10 a.m. the next day. The individual can eat from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (eight-hour window for eating) and fast from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Adding good fats to the diet: Healthy or good fats get burned and do not get stored in the body. Good fat foods that can help with weight loss are salmon, avocados, and coconut oil.

Napping instead of snacking: Taking a short power nap of even 15 minutes can help energize and refresh oneself more than a sugar rush. While feeling hungry, taking a quick snooze, or even going on a brisk walk can kill hunger pangs.

Eating nutritious snacks: Eating healthy snacks such as fruit or roasted nuts, celery and hummus, roasted zucchinis, etc. prevents from overeating during meals. Healthy, low-calorie snacks do not affect the weight-loss process.

Replacing sugar with honey: Honey can be used as a natural sweetener in juices, teas, and desserts.

Reducing the salt content of food: Salt causes water retention, resulting in bloating.