Planning to shed a few pounds and have already signed up for the gym membership? Hold on. The trick to losing weight sustainably might not lie entirely in your workout regimen. You may spend hours sweating it out, doing cardio exercises, pilates, and HIIT sessions, but if your diet is not aligned with your workout, chances are that you won’t be able to cut those extra pounds. Moreover, even if you manage to shed some weight, without the proper diet, it might come back.
What’s the secret sauce to weight loss, then? It’s a diet full of minimally processed foods!
In fact, a striking eight-week study by University College London (UCL) found participants eating minimally processed meals lost twice the weight as those on ultra-processed diets, even when both ate the same calories. The MPF group naturally consumed fewer calories, ate more slowly, had fewer cravings, and shed more fat.
Now, what are minimally processed foods? Minimally processed foods are natural foods that have undergone alterations such as removal of inedible parts, drying, grinding, or boiling, without the addition of substances like salt, sugar, oils, or fats. Think of home-cooked dishes with whole foods, like stir-fried veggies, oatmeal, salads, or homemade soups! They not only help you control portions but also reduce additives.
But when do you eat them? How do you incorporate them into your regular diet?
This guide has all the answers.
Read on.