Winter and weight gain are basically synonymous. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who worry about gaining weight in the winter, well, worry not.
If you eat the right foods this holiday season, in fact, you can incinerate calories, melt off fat, and even get the body of your dreams. And chances are, you’re more than familiar with most of those foods—like quinoa, or pulled pork. In the interest of keeping you as healthy as possible this winter, we’ve curated a list of 25 superfoods that are all but certain to aid in your quest of fending off winter weight gain. And for more on healthy eating this holiday season, check out the 10 Unhealthiest Holiday Finger Foods.
Grab a can (or four) on your next grocery trip. One study in the Journal of Lipid Research showed that omega-3 fatty acids in tuna have the ability to essentially turn off abdominal fat genes. And check out more smart dining strategies by learning How Lean People Eat Every Holiday Season.
When life gives you lemons, you may want to take heed. A study in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition showed that lemon’s polyphenols (found most in the lemon rind) improved insulin resistance in mice and decreased body weight and fat. So squeeze some lemon juice into your next glass of water or onto your next piece of lean meat.
Sweet news: According a study in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, participants who ate honey for 8 weeks saw increased weight loss and, for the participants with diabetes, reduced blood glucose levels. Need to get some honey in your life? Just glaze your next piece of salmon with the stuff. (Or just drink more tea.)
Start the day with a plate full of scramblers; eggs really are all they’re cracked up to be. Research in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found that, after 8 weeks of eating eggs for breakfast, weight loss is boosted by up to 65 percent over those who didn’t eat eggs for breakfast. Packing on the protein found in eggs is one of the 33 Ways to Stay Lean for Life.
Fermented foods are awesome for weight loss. A 2011 study in Nutrition Research found that participants who ate kimchi for 8 weeks experienced precipitous decreases in body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage. As if you needed another reason to spring for a bibimbap.
You can eat a lot of potatoes and not gain weight, according to research out of the Journal of American College of Nutrition. In fact, in their study, people who ate 5 to 7 servings of potatoes daily actually lost weight. Just opt for healthier options, like mashed potatoes (no cream), baked potatoes, or home fries. Sorry, barflies: French fries are a no-go.
