Top diuretic foods for weight loss

Oh water retention… Many of us that are over 40 have probably struggled with water retention at least a handful of times and when you’re trying to lose weight it can be especially annoying. Although it’s normal for the body to retain water, especially during fall or autumn when we might be eating more than normal, retaining too much water can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable – no one wants that, especially when you’re trying to lose weight after the summer.

Having a nutrition plan to lose weight in place as you get into the fall and before you start getting too busy with other back to school activities will help you to feel less bloated and more energized. It’s a great time to hit the fall reset button after your well-deserved vacation and go back to your work and family commitments slimmer and healthier than ever!

Diuretic foods are a great addition to your overall nutrition to lose weight. Natural diuretics are foods that help your body get rid of any excess sodium and water by stimulating your kidneys. This process allows sodium to be released through your urine and water is “then pulled from your blood to concentrate the sodium levels. That produces more urine and decreases the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels, providing relief from water retention.”

Here are my top five favorite diuretic foods for weight loss especially during fall!

Grapefruit

This sour yet sweet fruit is one of my all time favorites, and it’s just an added bonus that it’s a natural diuretic. Grapefruits are very low in calorie content and they have high levels of fiber, which helps to encourage fullness and reduce total daily caloric intake. According to Healthline, one study found that in a group of 91 participants who were obese, those that consumed one grapefruit before meals “lost an average of 3.5 pounds over 12 weeks, while the participants in the group that didn’t eat grapefruit lost less than 1 pound on average.”

I’m not saying grapefruits are a miracle for weight loss, but it certainly does seem to help!

Pineapple

Similar to grapefruits, pineapples are also a great source of fiber, which reduces overall caloric intake through its appetite-suppressing effects. Even though pineapples are a natural diuretic to help with weight loss, they also have many other nutritional benefits. The sweet, tangy fruit is high in vitamins C, B1, B6, folic acid, and minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. There are also some studies that suggest the fruit’s compounds have the ability to destroy intestinal parasites.

Beets

Bananas aren’t the only food high in potassium, beets also have high concentrations of the essential nutrient. The compound betanin which is known for giving beets their deep maroon color is also associated with low levels of C-reactive protein, which is linked to lower amounts of inflammation. Betanin is also associated with potent antioxidants and deterring the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. Beets are rich in vitamins A and C as well.

Asparagus

This vegetable was used as a natural diuretic by the ancient Greeks and Romans, so needless to say this is one of the original foods to help with water retention. The amino acid found in asparagus called asparagine has been used in the past to treat swelling, premenstrual water retention, and rheumatism.

Cranberries

According to Good Housekeeping, “Native Americans identified the diuretic effects of cranberries, using them to treat a number of conditions including scurvy, which they believed was caused by too much salt.” Cranberries are especially well known for their ability to prevent and treat UTIs, as many of the women reading this probably already know! The red fruit is also commonly known to remove excess water and fluid from the body without removing the much needed nutrient, potassium.

By incorporating these tasty foods into your fall nutrition plan, you’ll find relief from water retention and you’ll be well on your way to losing weight during the fall and avoiding those pesky holiday cravings..

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Are you ready to hit the fall reset button to look and feel your best?

Check out my autumn weight loss group nutrition program starting October 13th or schedule a 20-minute complimentary intro session with me and see how I can best support you on your weight loss journey. I can help you create strong, healthy habits that will become lifelong tools.