15 High-Protein Foods That Will Fast Track Your Weight Loss Goals

When it comes to losing weight, your macronutrients will become your best friend. More specifically, protein has what it takes to heal your muscles after a tough workout and burn fat and calories, even when you’re unactive. An easy way to expedite your weight loss goals is by adding high-protein foods to your diet; along with carbs and healthy fats, you’ll see results in no time.

Start out by adding these protein-rich foods to your grocery list in no time. Starting off with a big one! You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: Starting your day with oats is one of the smartest breakfasts decisions you could make. Not only does a cup of oatmeal have six grams of protein, but the high fiber content helps you feel fuller longer, making your meals stretch farther.

Try these tasty overnight oat recipes for fast, easy mornings. With almost three grams of protein and only 27 calories per cup, asparagus is one of the best weight-loss friendly foods out there. It’s versatile and delicious — what more could you ask for? It’s not just for kiddos! Vanessa Lachey swears by it, so we’re giving it a chance. At eight grams of protein per glass, you’re giving your body a weight loss boost in the guise of a treat.

Make sure you’re picking up organic chocolate milk! The five grams of protein per cup of broccoli speak for themselves, but the soluble fiber, folate, potassium and vitamins are an added bonus. Seven grams of protein per two tablespoons? If these superfoods aren’t on your grocery list already, you better add ’em ASAP. Rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s and with 11 grams of fiber per serving, these tiny seeds are one of the best-kept weight loss secrets.

Not only do almonds boast around 7 grams of protein, but their monounsaturated fats keep you full for longer. First thing’s first: plain Greek yogurt is best for weight loss. Otherwise, if you’re picking up any flavored yogurt, you could be ingesting as many as 30 grams of sugar per six-ounce serving. Plain Greek yogurt can get you anywhere from 25-30 grams of protein per serving!

While white beans are a good source of protein (16 grams per cup), the protein in black beans is more than double:40 grams per cup! Add some extras into this slow cooker chicken, rice and beans recipe. For a quick and easy afternoon snack, break out the cottage cheese! One cup packs 25 grams of protein and only 200 calories, so you’ll make it all the way to dinner without any cravings.

You probably know that wild salmon is full of heart-healthy omega-3s, but did you know a five-ounce portion of 39 grams of protein. Keep the yolks, people! We know now that whole eggs aren’t as bad for your cholesterol as folks used to believe — and plus, the entire egg is much more nutritious, coming in at 6 grams of protein per egg. Just a cup of these will get you a third of the protein you need for the entire day — so grab the hummus and carrot sticks when you’re ready for your 3 p.m. With eight grams of protein, plenty of fiber and riboflavin (which helps break down carbs and fat), quinoa is here to save the day when you can’t stand the thought of another plain, roasted vegetable. Try this Quinoa Mexi-Lime Salad for a lunch you’ll never forget.

Summers without a glass of chilled nimbu paani? Tough to imagine right? The fact that it is the easiest to make, that too with bare minimum ingredients, plays its role too in its massive popularity. Squeeze a fresh lime in chilled glass of water, add to it a spoonful of sugar or salt and voila you have for yourself one of the ultimate desi cool drinks.

Lemon water can help you shed those extra kilos, due to its richness in pectin fibre. This fibre helps you to feel full for a longer period of time. Lemon is also rich in ascorbic acid that aids digestion. A good digestion helps facilitate weight loss too. Watermelons are extremely low on calories.

You would be surprised to know that 100 grams of watermelon contains only 30 calories and 0 percent saturated fats. 92 percent of watermelon weight is just water. The decent amount of fibre content of water melon also helps aid weight loss. Fibre takes time to digest, which means it stays in your system for long, and gives you a feeling of fullness. For that matter all summer melons(Read: muskmelon, honeydew) being delicious thirst quenchers, are also low in calories and hence are great for your summer weight loss plan.

Consultant nutritionist Dr. Rupali Dutta says, says that summer vegetables are low in calories and hence, including more of them in your daily diet will help you lose weight quicker. Vegetables like cucumber, bottle gourd or lauki, eggplant or brinjal and bitter gourd are all foods that are very healthy and can promote weight loss.