Sadly, there’s no magical food that will make you lose weight. But there are certain foods that will give your weight loss efforts a little boost, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise plans. Foods that keep you feeling full, that speed up your metabolism, and that make you feel strong and energised on fewer calories are great to add into your diet plan.

Basically, you need to look for foods that are high in fibre, protein and healthy fats. And the added benefit is that these foods are full of nutrients and vitamins that keep your body supported while you lose weight. Here are some of the best foods to include in your diet…

Cauliflower. It’s not the most popular of vegetables, but cauliflower is a great one to add to your meal. Because it’s non-starchy, you can eat as much of it as you like. It also contains good amounts of folate and vitamin C, which both help to support your weight loss and overall health. A good tip is to replace mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower- you’ll still get the creamy texture and taste, without the extra starches.

Low-fat yogurt. Although you should reduce your intake of dairy to lose weight, it is important to include some in your diet, and yogurt is one of the best choices. When calcium combines with other compounds found in yogurt, it can help to burn more fat and slow down the process of creating fat. And it gives you a fruity taste that satisfies your sweet cravings, without loading on heaps of extra calories.

Rockmelon. Rockmelon, or cantaloupe, is 90 percent water- so it makes a wonderful juicy snack that keeps you feeling full on very few calories. And the other 10 percent is full of nutrients like potassium and carotene, which helps fight infections and can help prevent cancer. Snacking on fresh rockmelon is a great way to get a sweet flavour hit and fill up on water, which will help curb your cravings. Try even blending it up in a smoothie with some low-fat yoghurt or skim milk.

Soups. Soup can be a nutritious, filling and comforting option, especially during the cold winter months. The water content of soup makes it more filling, adding volume to your meal without the extra calories. And there’s plenty of variety, so you can experiment with your own recipes to make a delicious mix that you love. Be cautious of packaged soups as they tend to contain a lot of sodium- but the good news is, soup is so easy to make yourself, so you can add in whatever vegetables, beans and legumes you want.

Apples. Delicious, fresh and juicy, apples are a great snack for any time of the day. Because of their high water and fibre content, they will make you feel full and satisfied on very few calories. Apples contain both kinds of fibre that are important for weight loss. Soluble fibre helps stop blood sugar levels spiking, and therefore works to prevent cravings, while insoluble fibre fills you up, so you feel more satisfied after eating. A medium-sized apple is about 85 percent water, with 5 grams of soluble fibre. And make sure you eat the peel! The skin of the apple contains half the fibre and most of the iron, magnesium and vitamin C, which help you in your weight loss as well as protecting your overall health.

Eggs. A lot of people ban eggs when dieting for fear of the fat content. But eggs can actually be great for your weight loss efforts, as they are an excellent source of protein, which helps you stay full for longer. Studies have shown that eating eggs for breakfast can help you to eat fewer calories throughout the day than if you eat, for example, a bagel or toast. A medium-sized egg contains about 6 grams of protein. Plus it’s full of essential amino acids, which support the maintenance of lean muscle mass.

Fish. Fish is full of protein, and keeps you feeling full. Studies have shown that eating fish at lunch instead of beef can result in eating 10 percent less at dinner. Plus, fish has a strong flavour that will make you feel more satisfied on less. Try to reduce your consumption of red meat and choose fish more often. There are plenty of different ways to prepare it, so you’ll have plenty of variety.   

Oatmeal. Along with the fact that it’s important to eat breakfast to support your weight loss efforts, oatmeal is one of the best choices you can make in the morning. As it’s packed with fibre and protein, it will keep you feeling full throughout the day. And eating it warm is a nice comfort-food choice that doesn’t blow your calorie limit. Or, you can eat it dry with low-fat yogurt for a delicious and filling snack.