Main Dishes with Weight Loss Boosting Ingredients (Cont'd)

Here's an extensive collection of recipes for main dishes that feature some of the best weight loss ingredients, including white kidney beans, chick, tomatoes, lentils and barley. Note that this is the second recipe page focused on main dishes designed to help overweight people lose weight. You can view the first page by clicking here.

Apple and Onion Soup

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the old adage. But did you know that apples can also keep excess pounds away? Apples contain pectin, a type of dietary fiber that limits the amount of fat our cells absorb. Also onions help keep excess pounds at bay: onions are one of the best dietary sources of chromium, a mineral that can help increase or maintain lean body mass and aid in fat loss when combined with exercise.
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Wholesome Winter Pea and Watercress Soup

This light, peppery soup with a lusciously creamy texture is low in calories but full of vitamin C. Research has shown a direct link between low blood levels of vitamin C and increased fat accumulation, particularly around the waist. Furthermore, thanks to the watercress, this soup is packed with calcium which has been shown to promote weight loss. Watercress is also low in oxalic acid, a compound that can inhibit the absorption of calcium from many other plants foods.
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Hot Tomato Soup

This soup is rich in chromium, a mineral that may help increase or maintain lean body mass and aid in fat loss when combined with exercise. These effects of chromium on body composition are believed to result from the ability of this important trace mineral to enhance insulin's activity and to improve insulin sensitivity in the body. What's more, the chili and garlic featured in this weight loss soup are rich in phytochemicals that increase the rate at which your body burns energy.
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Lentil Chili Soup

This spicy soup can help you burn fat as it is rich in capsaicin, the ingredient that gives chili its pungent flavor. Capsaicin is famous for its ability to increase the rate at which the body burns energy, making it an excellent weight-loss aid. Furthermore, this soup is rich in protein and fiber which help keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel.
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Barley Soup with Carrots and Parsley

Barley is a superhero grain for anyone who wants to lose weight. Not only is barley low in calories, it also has the lowest Glycemic Index (GI) rating of all common grains. Low glycemic foods help keep the levels of fat-storing hormones low and reduce sugar cravings. Also the low-calorie yoghurt and the fiber-rich carrots in this soup add to the fat-burning capability of this healthy soup.
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Barley Soup with Beans and Basil

While low in fat, both barley and beans are packed with fiber, which makes this soup a great weight loss aid. Furthermore, recent research suggests that a certain enzyme present in white kidney beans can inhibit the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates in the intestines. This is of course great news for those who tend to gain weight when consuming lots of carbohydrates.
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Chicken and Barley Soup

Barley is a great grain for anyone wanting to shed off excess pounds. It is low in calories and has the lowest Glycemic Index (GI) rating of all common grains. The protein-rich chicken in this soup further lowers the glycemic load of this excellent weight loss meal.
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Nourishing Nettle Soup

Extremely low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, nettle is a great plant for anyone determined to lose fat. Be aware, however, that nettle has strong diuretic properties, and therefore some of the lost pounds will in fact be water. Also yoghurt—which is used to garnish this intriguing, jade green soup—helps boost the body's fat-burning powers and promote weight loss.
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Chicken Soup with Rice and Green Peas

Chicken and green peas pack a protein punch but have a very low glycemic index rating, making this savory soup ideal for anyone trying to shed off extra pounds. Chicken is also a good source of B vitamins, such as vitamin B3 and vitamin B6, which are important for successful weight loss.
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Chicken and Apple Salad

Here's a must-try salad recipe that pairs rich chicken with crunchy apples and juicy grapes to create a wonderful culinary sensation. But the benefits of this salad are not limited to culinary sensations; it can also be a great weight loss aid. Chicken delivers plenty of high quality protein but is low in carbohydrates, while apples contain pectin, a type of dietary fiber that limits the amount of fat our cells absorb. Pectin is also known to make you feel fuller and for a longer time, so you will eat less during the day.
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For more recipes that can help you lose weight, go to the main recipe directory of HealWithFood.org's Guide to Weight Loss.

You may also be interested in exploring our pages dedicated to providing more general diet advice for overweight. Be also sure to check out the list of the best weight loss foods.