When aiming for weight loss, making the right choices about what to eat before meals can help manage hunger, promote a feeling of fullness, and aid in your weight loss journey. Enhancing metabolism can be beneficial for weight control. While no single food or drink can dramatically speed up metabolism alone, integrating specific foods and beverages before meals can support a healthy metabolic rate.
Dietary Tips for Weight Loss: 5 Foods And Drinks To Have Before Meals
Green Tea: Green tea contains elements like caffeine and catechins that may have minor thermogenic effect, temporarily increasing calorie expenditure. Drinking green tea before a meal can provide a slight boost to metabolism. Moreover, green tea is low in calories and serves as a hydrating and invigorating pre-meal beverage.
Soup or Broth: Beginning a meal with a broth-based soup or vegetable soup can be an effective tactic for weight loss. Soup is low in calorie density but high in volume, making it filling while keeping calorie intake in check. Studies indicate that having soup before a meal can lead to reduced calorie intake during the main course.
Healthy Fats: Adding small portions of healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, seeds, or olive oil to your pre-meal snack can help increase feelings of fullness. Fats take longer to digest and can slow down stomach emptying, prolonging satiety and decreasing the likelihood of overeating during the main meal.
Protein-Rich Foods: Incorporating protein-rich foods like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, or legumes before a meal can support metabolism. Protein requires more energy to digest compared to carbohydrates or fats, resulting in a higher thermic effect of food and a modest increase in metabolic rate. Additionally, it aids in preserving muscle mass, which is crucial for a healthy metabolism.
