Before we start out, of course all fruits and vegetables are good for you to consume, so don’t cut any out just because they may not be one of the weight-loss juggernauts listed below. You know better.
Monica Bertoia, a research associate at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, was curious about the health impact of certain fruits and vegetables over others — could some of them be more helpful in terms of losing weight?
Working with 133,468 men and women living in the U.S., Bertoia, whose study was published in PLOS One, observed that increasing consumption of fruits and non-starchy vegetables led to a significant weight change over several four-year intervals.
Almost all fruit produced the same results, while vegetables containing lots of fibre and low carbohydrates (like broccoli and Brussels sprouts) led to greater weight loss, which Bertoia says is because they make you feel full.
On the flip side, starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes seemed to cause weight gain over time.
For each extra serving of fruit they ate per day, participants lost 0.53lb (0.24 kg), and for each extra serving of non-starchy vegetables consumed per day, they lost 0.25lb (0.11 kg). Over time, if eaten on the regular, a diet rich with these fruits and vegetables leads to significant, healthy weight loss, according to the study.
Check out which fruits and vegetables were the most successful in shedding pounds in the gallery, below.
The best fruits and vegetables for losing weight
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Berries
Chock-full of antioxidants and vitamins, eating berries is already a no-brainer. With weight loss to boot, we'll be hooking them up to our veins.Thinkstock
Broccoli
This hearty vegetable has so many health benefits -- it lowers cholesterol, has potential anti-cancer agents, and is high in dietary fibre, among a zillion other things -- if you're not eating it regularly, start now.Thinkstock
Apples
Apples are simply delicious, and they come in so many different varieties, it's tough to get bored of them. They also contain some of the highest-known concentrations of antioxidants of any food on Earth.Thinkstock
Bok Choy
OK, so this one might not be a staple in your diet, but it could/should be. Tasty and simple to cook, bok choy is high in Vitamins A and C.Thinkstock
Pears
Delicious pears are often relegated to the side of the fruit family, but they shouldn't be. They're tasty, full of fibre, and are great in dishes of all kinds.Thinkstock
Brussels Sprouts
Any which way, Brussels sprouts are tasty little balls of goodness. Raw sprouts are jam-packed with Vitamin K and an array of B vitamins. If you needed another reason to eat them, weight loss is one.Thinkstock
Cauliflower
Broccoli's oft-neglected cousin is having a sort of renaissance at the moment -- you'll even be able to find it in pubs or fairs. Low in carbs and high in dietary fibre, sit back and enjoy.Thinkstock
Spinach
This leafy green doesn't just rev up Popeye, it can do the trick for you too. Spinach contains iron, calcium, potassium and many other wonderful things that do a body good. Thinkstock
Tofu
We think tofu has gotten a bad rap. Associated with hippies and "tree-huggers," the food is actually a great nutritional choice in its pure form (but not in excess). It can reduce the chances of heart disease and is a smart choice if you need added protein in your diet.Thinkstock
Soy Beans/Edamame
Yum. This common sushi appetizer, like tofu (since it's essentially the same thing), is a protein-packed snack that'll satiate you much longer than a chocolate bar will.Thinkstock
Kale
As if this food needs more support. Kale has skyrocketed in terms of popularity over the past few years, and it shows no signs of stopping. Rich in Vitamins K and C, along with calcium and fibre, this dark-green veggie is the cure for what ails you.Thinkstock
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