16
Foods Nutritionists Eat When They Want to Lose a Few Pounds
Consider
this your weight-loss cheat sheet.
Published: July 11,
2014 | By Robin Hilmantel
Lots of people call on nutritionists
to help them overhaul their diets when they want to slim down. But what do
R.D.s make sure to eat themselves if they notice their jeans have gotten a
little snug? We surveyed 10 to find out which foods they swear by when they
want to see results. And we're happy to say that, while lots of veggies made
the list, there are also some other options that will help you keep things
interesting when you're trying to drop a dress size.
"When I'm trying to shave off a
few pounds, I drink at least two glasses of green tea a day and aim for
a mix of protein, such as salmon and eggs. On these days, I also
make sure to up my greens. Combined with the protein, you'll feel fuller for
longer!" —Keri Glassman, R.D., Women's Health
contributor
MORE: The Right Way to Drink Green Tea for
Weight Loss
"Nuts—they're high in
fiber, and nut eaters are generally healthier." —Kristin Kirkpatrick, M.S.,
R.D., a wellness manager at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute
"Cauliflower. At just 25
calories per cup, it's a calorie bargain. Plus, it's super versatile, so you
can use it as a low-carb alternative for your favorite foods…make cauliflower
mashed 'potatoes,' create a cauliflower pizza crust, or pulse it in a food processor
for 'rice.' I also eat cucumbers. It's just 45 calories for a whole
cuke, and they're loaded with water. I like to cut into disks you can dip into
yogurt or simply sprinkle with garlic powder." —Joy
Bauer, M.S., R.D., the nutrition and health expert for NBC's TODAY
Show and Founder of NourishSnacks
MORE: The 5 Best Summer Foods to Detox and
Lose Weight
"Veggies just about sum
it up. For the most part, non-starchy veggies (i.e, not
potatoes/squash/corn/peas). They're low-calorie, high-fiber, and high in water
content—which means that you can eat more of them for a relatively low calorie
impact. Just thinking about making most of your meal veggie-based (soups,
salads, sauté with garlic and a little olive oil) helps to keep total calorie
content at bay while still being vitamin/mineral rich and not leaving you
feeling hungry." —Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., senior clinical dietician
at Mount Sinai Hospital
"When I notice something is a
little on the tight side, I take a few days and clean up my eating. I have eggs
for breakfast definitely for a great protein punch, and I normally add avocado
for some extra fat to keep me full and provide me with potassium to help reduce
bloat. I also try to eat asparagus a lot, too, during those 'slim down'
days to help get rid of extra water weight!" —Brooke Alpert, M.S.,
R.D., founder of B Nutritious
"I don't believe in dieting and
never really do this. If anything, though, I'll have lots of vegetables
(greens specifically) if I feel like I need to clean up my diet a bit. And lots and lots of water!"
—Katie Cavuto, M.S., R.D., the dietician for the
Phillies and the Flyers
"Water is extremely important
for weight management. Our bodies will often feel hungry when
we are actually just thirsty. I make my own fruit-infused water
with citrus peels and cut fruit. I also have lots of non-starchy veggies.
Fiber keeps us full and keeps our gut bacteria healthy, which research shows
may play an important role in metabolism and weight management." —Michelle
Davenport, Ph.D., R.D., a Silicon Valley nutritionist
MORE: 5 Ways to Make Water Taste Better (So You'll Drink More of
It)
"Honestly, I never really want
to lose a few pounds. But for my patients, I would suggest almonds (so
you're never caught without a healthy snack option), oatmeal (since the
best way to start the day is with a filling breakfast), and veggies. You
need lots of veggies on-hand so you can build your meal up and not your
calories." —Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet
"When I'm trying to lose a few
pounds, I try to eat less. I don't really have foods that I load up on, but I
do love to have lean protein options like canned tuna and nitrate-free
jerky to satisfy me. And lots of fresh fruit like strawberries,
watermelon, and kiwi." —Mitzi Dulan, R.D., author
of The Pinterest Diet
"Having a six-month-old, I'm
extra-careful about what I eat. I'm happy to say I'm now at my pre-pregnancy
weight. My go-tos were: pumpkin seeds (they taste great and are
incredibly filling), wraps made with Mission Carb Balance Tortillas
(these high-fiber wraps keep me feeling full), and Greek yogurt (it's
higher in protein than regular yogurt)." —Shelly Marie Redmond, R.D.
reference: www.womenhealth.com