You might have heard of the saying, “Breakfast like a king, lunch like a common man, dinner like a beggar.” There might be some truth to the statement, but it is not entirely true. Keeping a balanced diet throughout the day is vital to good health.
It is important to know that dinner should be a relatively light meal with that in mind. When we go to sleep, our digestive system slows down and takes more time to digest the food in our stomach, creating an unhealthy situation. So, eating a light dinner two hours before sleep is an ideal plan.
This plan is effective for weight loss as well. Several studies have shown that timing is as important as the things you eat. Having a light dinner and sleeping right after does as much good as eating two cheeseburgers two hours prior! Here’s a list of dinner ideas that are ideal for weight loss says eatingwell.com.
- Vegetable salad
Vegetables are a rich source of most of the nutrients we require as part of our daily diet, and we require 2-3 cups every day. Eating a salad for dinner can keep it healthy and light.
- Salmon
Salmon fish is high in protein and healthy days that are good for the body. They also contain lots of iodine, which stabilizes metabolism. Adding this to your diet will not only get you closer to your weight goal but helps you get better skin as a plus. It’s a win-win!
- Chicken
Chicken is a good source of protein, and incorporating it into your diet can help keep you trim. Protein is known to make you feel full after eating relatively less, and this can keep potential hunger pangs away at night.
- Most varieties of beans
In case you’re looking for a vegetarian alternative to chicken for your daily protein fix, beans are the best way to go. They have high amounts of protein per serving, and you don’t have to sacrifice your lifestyle for health.
- Tofu
This East and Southeast Asian food, also known as bean curd, is a rich source of some vital nutrients that help keep you fit. This is a popular option for vegans, and the best part is that it can be prepared in some ways, sweet as well as savory.
- Whole Grains
Grains like brown rice and quinoa are rich in magnesium, which is important in regulating fat metabolism. Switching to whole grains from refined ones will help you go a long way on your weight loss journey.
- Whole-wheat Bread
After a certain point, getting bored of grains is understandable. There’s no need to keep your diet boring by sticking to a certain kind of food with a vengeance. Switch it up and get bread for a change. Just make sure it isn’t white bread because that would be cheating. Don’t be put off by the trouble of cutting it. Just get a knife here on Cut It Fine.
- Boiled Eggs
Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrients, and adding them to your dinner plan will help your weight loss tremendously. Like chicken, eggs help you feel full after eating less and can keep hunger pangs away.
- Leafy greens
Leafy vegetables contain a compound called thylakoids, which send fullness signals to the brain when eaten, therefore regulating food intake. This is another good way of promoting weight loss.
- Sugar (yes, you read that right)
While the obvious thing to do while trying to lose weight would be to stay away from sweet treats, studies have shown that a little sugar in your diet can prevent you from going on binge-eating sprees. Having a small snack like a sweet candy after dinner should satisfy your needs.
All this said, do not feel the need to throw all of these items into one meal! That just defeats the purpose. As I mentioned before, weight loss doesn’t mean a boring diet. Switch it up from time to time and have fun with your food. Weight loss will come.
Resources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/protein-for-vegans-vegetarians