‘Tis the season…of comforting fall foods. But guess what? Turning to your favorite comfort foods as the weather gets colder doesn’t necessarily mean drowning yourself in excessive amounts of sugars and saturated fats and gaining lots of weight.
Here are some fall foods that can actually help you BURN fat…
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The health benefits of dark chocolate have been touted for a while now, and research has shown that hot cocoa can possibly ward off dementia in elderly people.
Raw cocoa is full of antioxidants that reduce levels of cortisone, so be sure to experiment with recipes using raw cocoa as opposed to boxed hot chocolate, which may be more likely to contain sugars.
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Consuming a broth- or vegetable-based soup before a meal can help you eat fewer calories overall. Also, soups like chicken noodle soup are packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins. It’s also one of the best things you can eat when you have a cold or the flu.
Protein keeps you fuller for longer than carbs or sugars. Also, roasted meat with steamed vegetables can be a surprisingly delicious and nutritious meal.
This goes without saying, but vegetables provide our bodies with essential nutrients. Aside from that, depending on their preparation, veggies can be very comforting as well.
READ: Should You Be Eating Purple Potatoes?
Even though potatoes sometimes have a bad rap for being filled with empty calories, they are actually complex carbohydrates, meaning they’ll keep you full for longer than sugary foods.
One baked potato can provide up to 12 percent of your daily recommended fiber intake. Mashed sweet potatoes are another tasty dish that contains plenty of vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as the antioxidant beta-carotene.
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This hearty soup is another example of a protein-, fiber-, and nutrient-packed food that both fills you up for longer periods of time and is extremely delicious.
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Are you a pumpkin fan? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that pumpkins are good for you. Even pumpkin pie! A cup of pumpkin pie filling contains around 50 calories and 3 grams of fiber. Pumpkin also contains the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene.
Healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up the foods you love when the seasons change. It may simply mean finding ways to make those foods more balanced.
A few simple swaps can make a difference:
Fall comfort food doesn’t have to mean putting your health goals on hold. From a warm bowl of chili to roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, oatmeal and a cup of cocoa, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the flavors of the season while still giving your body the nutrients it needs.
And remember, no single food will magically burn fat or cause weight loss. Healthy weight management is influenced by your overall eating pattern, physical activity, sleep, stress, medications, medical conditions and other factors.
So enjoy the foods that make fall feel like fall. Focus on balance rather than perfection, build meals around nutritious ingredients and don’t be afraid to make small swaps that allow you to enjoy comfort food while taking care of your health.
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