Nutrition is one of the most important things when it comes to losing weight. Selecting the right kinds of foods can really make a difference in how much weight you can lose in a certain period of time. Let's face it, we are what we eat and if you don't eat the proper foods, you'll be having a hard time shedding off those unwanted pounds. If you eat junk foods occasionally, it's not a problem provided you focus on healthy food most of the time. Many people lack fiber in their diet as they consume too much simple carbohydrates primarily and this isn't healthy. Healthy food is what will speed the weight loss process. When it comes to dieting, nutritionists recommend a high fiber diet and there are good reasons why a high fiber diet can help you lose weight:

Provides satiety

If you want to lose weight, you need to eat foods which provide a sense of fullness and suppress appetite, thus keeping hunger pangs at bay for hours. You don't really need to eat a lot to get a feeling of satiety. Some foods can naturally make you feel full even in small amount. Such foods include high fiber foods and since they digest slowly due to the fiber, they promote satiety which is a good thing as this will prevent you from eating calorie-laden snacks in between meals. To give an example, let's compare white rice and brown rice. When eating white rice, you have a tendency to eat several dishes but that's not the case with brown rice. The simple reason is brown rice contains more fiber and is definitely more satiating and filling. A great way to start your day is a bowl of wholegrain oats loaded with fiber.

Promotes effective bowel movement

If you don't eat enough fiber in your diet, you can get constipated with time. Fiber is also important as it regulates effective bowel activity and cleanse your colon. Constipation has been proven to be bad for weight loss as not emptying your bowels efficiently can impede the weight loss process.

Provides antioxidants

One of the main benefits of eating fiber-rich foods is their antioxidants content. Antioxidants include vitamins and minerals and these are abundant in fiber foods. Antioxidants are vital to maintain a healthy immune system but can also help you lose weight by speeding your metabolism and enhancing the fat-burning process.

Maintains stable blood sugar levels

High blood sugar levels are not beneficial for weight loss as this makes you more prone for fat storage. Eating fiber-rich foods regulates blood sugar levels and triggers a sustained release of energy limiting your chances of storing body fat.

A high fiber diet will not only help you lose weight but can prevent several health issues like diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure and certain cancers like colon cancer. Here is a short list of high fiber foods you can include in your diet. Wholegrain oats, oat bran, wholegrain bread, brown rice, whole-wheat spaghetti, sweet potatoes, quinoa, apples, pears, lentils, kidney beans, green peas, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, artichokes, turnip greens, brussels sprouts and so on.