11 superfoods that help peel off the pounds

Looking to lose a few pounds?  Don't want to give up some of your favorite foods?  According to SELF magazine, the following 11 foods are full of great stuff like fiber, protein, antioxidants and healthy fats that will keep you feeling satisfied and looking fantastic.  Bonus:  These foods are so yummy, you'll forget about the bad stuff in no time.

1. Almonds - A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that adding a serving of almonds to your daily diet enhances weight loss and also significantly improves risk factors associated with heart disease.  SELF magazine recently reported that a study done by researchers at California's Loma Linda University found dieters who ate almonds daily lost 62 percent more weight and 56 percent more fat than those who didn't.  Grab a handful - but make sure to pay attention to how many you are eating.  A serving (about 30 almonds) has around 170 calories.
2. Barley - This whole grain is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber.  Substitute your typical brown rice for a serving of barley - you'll get twice the fiber, plus cancer-fighting selenium.  According to SELF magazine, barley also contains beta glucan, a type of fiber which helps lower cholesterol and reduces the body's rate of fat absorption.
3. Bison - Although going meat free is the best way to lose weight and reduce your risk for heart disease, if you are going to eat meat, bison is a great option.  With fewer calories and fat than regular ground beef, switching to bison is an easy way to trim your daily intake.
4. Black beans - Beans are really good for you, and the darker the skin on the bean, the more antioxidants it contains.  According to Christine Gerbstadt, M.D. of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), "They have enough protein to be a meat, and the vitamins and fiber of a veggie." 
5. Farmed rainbow trout - Fish is naturally low in calories and fat, while high in protein.  Farmed trout is eco-friendly and will help keep your brain healthy and sharp as well.
6. Kiwifruit - This small, but powerful fruit is packed with filling fiber.  And, according to SELF magazine, one kiwi provides 94 percent of your daily quota of skin-brightening vitamin C.  A study from the University of Oslo in Norway found that people who ate kiwis twice per day for 28 days lowered their blood triglycerides by 15 percent.
7. Peanuts - Both red wine and peanuts have high levels of resveratrol, an antioxidant thought to protect the heart, ward off cancer and fight fat.  Peanuts also contain ample amounts of fiber and protein, helping to keep hunger at bay. 
8. Skim milk - A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking milk after exercising encourages both muscle gain and fat loss. 
9. Tart cherries - The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor conducted a study in which rats were fed the equivalent of 1.5 cups of tart cherries for 90 days.  The study revealed that the rats who consumed the cherries metabolized sugar better and had less belly fat than those who didn't. 
10. Watermelon - One cup of this summery treat contains only 46 calories and is 92 percent water, quenching your thirst and helping to keep you slim, according to SELF magazine. 
11. Whole-wheat pasta - One cup of whole-wheat pasta contains triple the amount of fiber of regular pasta, and won't cause blood sugar spikes which can make you feel hungry.  Trying to lose belly fat?  Avoid the white stuff and go for whole grains. 

Adding these foods to your low calorie diet will help you to lose weight and be in better overall health.  Why not start now?  Making simple substitutions is an easy and effective way to change your health.  Before you know it, you'll actually prefer the whole-wheat pasta and bison.