As the run-up to Christmas begins, people may want to prepare physically for what is typically an over-indulgent time.
For those who are planning to shed some weight before the festive season, nailing exercise and diet can be hard when temptation is all around. As reported by the Daily Record, the right diet that is rich with nourishing foods is key to slimming down, according to experts at Breaking Muscle.
The specialists are encouraging people to be mindful of their diet in the run-up to Christmas. Experts have said that there are two main food groups that aid losing weight most.
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These are proteins and carbohydrates. In order to lose weight, these food groups must be incorporated into your everyday diet, and the specialists at Breaking Muscle have shared five examples that could help you achieve this.
A spokesperson said: "It can often take time to become familiar with the right workouts for your fitness goals, and to add to that, it can be challenging finding where to start when it comes to the best foods to eat.
"Thankfully, there are plenty of foods packed with the important nutrients that fit different fitness goals, whether that’s to increase muscle mass, lose weight, or both.
"It’s essential that those who are into exercise understand that meals and snacks don’t need to be anything complicated, and something as simple as oatmeal and bananas for breakfast won’t take a chunk of time out of a busy day."
Read on below for the five foods you should include in your diet to lose weight.
Brown Rice
According to Breaking Muscle, brown rice is really effective when exercising. It contains lots of key nutrients like such as carbohydrates, protein and antioxidants, as well as healthy fats that give you energy during workouts.
It also helps keep you fuller for longer due to the high fibre content - meaning you are less likely to overeat. The experts suggest pairing it with kidney or black beans for extra protein, which will help you gain muscle.
Greek Yoghurt
Greek yoghurt can be a diet 'essential', due to its high protein content. Experts have said that due to its low calorie content and sugar content, it can help weight loss and muscle building.
It also contains probiotics, which boost your immune system and gut health. For an even healthier snack, try adding a handful of almonds, as just one ounce contains six grams of protein.
Eggs
Experts have said that eggs can help with weight loss as the high protein content and healthy fat can make people feel fuller.
They added: "To help muscle gain and weight loss, poached or boiled eggs are the healthiest way to consume them as they retain most of their nutrients and don’t require adding more calories from extras such as oil.
"Serve your eggs with whole grain bread for a high intake of protein and fibre."
Porridge
This popular breakfast item is extremely effective at increasing stamina. According to the experts, it's filled with healthy carbs and protein that give you plenty of energy for your workouts.
They added: "Plus, you can add in extras for more flavour like berries which contains inflammation-fighting antioxidants that help your body to heal after exercise."
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another healthy carbohydrate that can help you slim down, as the combination of fibre and water helps keep you full. They're also packed with nutrients such as vitamin A and potassium, which all contribute to the building of muscles.
The experts also suggested pairing these with red peppers at mealtimes, which contain anti-inflammatory antioxidants - perfect for helping to get rid of any pain after exercise.
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