Hopefully, you’re beginning to notice signs of spring where you live, whether that’s plenty of rain or green buds peeking through the ground. Not only do warmer temperatures bring a change in seasonal produce, but it also means less clothing and more skin exposed. That’s why spring is the perfect time to lose those pounds you packed on in winter, and these eight seasonal picks will help you do just that.SEE ALSO: Muscle-Building Spring Foods
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Jason Houston
Mushrooms
Mushrooms come in many varieties, and they are available throughout much of the year. However, some wild mushrooms, called morels, are abundant in the spring. A single cup of morels has 23% of your daily value of vitamin D—a nutrient that many become deficient in during the winter. Plus, preliminary research suggests that replacing meat with mushrooms at one meal may help with weight management. Many find that the umami flavor in a Portobello mushroom steak satisfies their craving for meat without the added calories. Learn more about how mushrooms can help you get lean.
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Spring peas
As evident by the name, these green legumes are part of spring’s bounty. One cup has about 130 cal., 9 g of protein, and 9 g of fiber, and a diet rich in fiber and protein is the best way to keep hunger at bay. Although peas often get a bad reputation as being high in carbohydrates, they are actually a resistant starch. These types of starches are associated with lower body fat percentages, according to a recent review.SEE ALSO: 7 Less-Common Sources of Muscle-Building Protein
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Christopher Testani
Asparagus
You may already know that asparagus is a natural diuretic, meaning it can help you shed water weight. One cup of cooked asparagus has only 40 cal. and 400 mg of potassium, an essential electrolyte that reduces bloating and keeps you hydrated throughout the day. Asparagus has slightly less potassium than a banana for less than half the calories.
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Rhubarb
Although rhubarb leaves are toxic and inedible, the stalks are known for their rich nutrient profile. Full of fiber, rhubarb has been shown to fight constipation and promote regularity. It also contains catechins, a flavonol that may keep your heart healthy and help burn fat.
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Radishes
This crunchy snack is loaded with two weight loss-inducing components—water and anthocyanin. One cup of raw radishes contains 100 g (or about 4 fl oz) of water. Eating veggies high in water is important for weight loss because dehydration often presents itself as hunger. Radishes are also rich in anthocyanin, a compound found to help with weight maintenance, according to one study. Pile radishes onto salads or use as a nice crunch in your lunchtime sandwich.
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Artichokes
This leafy vegetable contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that stimulates the production of good bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics have been shown to promote satiety and weight loss. Not to mention that one medium artichoke only has about 70 cal. Although artichokes can be somewhat intimidating to cook, they can be boiled, baked, or steamed and topped with a little bit of lemon juice for a healthy side dish.
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Iain Bagwell/Getty Images
Broccoli
One cup of broccoli has about 80 cal, contains ample amounts of fiber, and is about 90% water. The combination or water and fiber will help keep you full long after eating. Plus, broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that may be linked to cancer prevention.SEE ALSO:The 15 Best Fat-Burning Foods for Weight Loss
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Deborah Pendell/Getty Images
Strawberries
Although you will find these red berries in the store year-round, they are at the peak of freshness from April through June. Not only are they a naturally sweet alternative to sugar-laden desserts, but strawberries are packed with flavonoids that have been shown to aid in weight loss.SEE ALSO: Is Fruit Good for Bodybuilding?
Hopefully, you’re beginning to notice signs of spring where you live, whether that’s plenty of rain or green buds peeking through the ground. Not only do warmer temperatures bring a change in seasonal produce, but it also means less clothing and more skin exposed. That’s why spring is the perfect time to lose those pounds you packed on in winter, and these eight seasonal picks will help you do just that.
Mushrooms come in many varieties, and they are available throughout much of the year. However, some wild mushrooms, called morels, are abundant in the spring. A single cup of morels has 23% of your daily value of vitamin D—a nutrient that many become deficient in during the winter. Plus, preliminary research suggests that replacing meat with mushrooms at one meal may help with weight management. Many find that the umami flavor in a Portobello mushroom steak satisfies their craving for meat without the added calories. Learn more about how mushrooms can help you get lean.
Spring peas
As evident by the name, these green legumes are part of spring’s bounty. One cup has about 130 cal., 9 g of protein, and 9 g of fiber, and a diet rich in fiber and protein is the best way to keep hunger at bay. Although peas often get a bad reputation as being high in carbohydrates, they are actually a resistant starch. These types of starches are associated with lower body fat percentages, according to a recent review.
You may already know that asparagus is a natural diuretic, meaning it can help you shed water weight. One cup of cooked asparagus has only 40 cal. and 400 mg of potassium, an essential electrolyte that reduces bloating and keeps you hydrated throughout the day. Asparagus has slightly less potassium than a banana for less than half the calories.
Rhubarb
Although rhubarb leaves are toxic and inedible, the stalks are known for their rich nutrient profile. Full of fiber, rhubarb has been shown to fight constipation and promote regularity. It also contains catechins, a flavonol that may keep your heart healthy and help burn fat.
Radishes
This crunchy snack is loaded with two weight loss-inducing components—water and anthocyanin. One cup of raw radishes contains 100 g (or about 4 fl oz) of water. Eating veggies high in water is important for weight loss because dehydration often presents itself as hunger. Radishes are also rich in anthocyanin, a compound found to help with weight maintenance, according to one study. Pile radishes onto salads or use as a nice crunch in your lunchtime sandwich.
Artichokes
This leafy vegetable contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that stimulates the production of good bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics have been shown to promote satiety and weight loss. Not to mention that one medium artichoke only has about 70 cal. Although artichokes can be somewhat intimidating to cook, they can be boiled, baked, or steamed and topped with a little bit of lemon juice for a healthy side dish.
Broccoli
One cup of broccoli has about 80 cal, contains ample amounts of fiber, and is about 90% water. The combination or water and fiber will help keep you full long after eating. Plus, broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that may be linked to cancer prevention.
Although you will find these red berries in the store year-round, they are at the peak of freshness from April through June. Not only are they a naturally sweet alternative to sugar-laden desserts, but strawberries are packed with flavonoids that have been shown to aid in weight loss.
