Spring is a great time to enjoy the bounty of the season. When you eat foods that are in season, they are not only more affordable, they are also fresher and packed with the highest amount of flavor and nutritional value.

It’s also a great time to consider shedding those extra winter pounds. Spring and summer are the best time to find foods that are packed with fiber — a weight-loss superstar. You can still have your carbs and slim down if you choose the right ones.

The following fat-burning foods are good choices to keep you fueled and full all day, that are low in calories but packed with taste.

Lentils: Although lentils include all the beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins, they are still low in calories and contain virtually no fat. One cup of cooked lentils only contains about 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full and satisfied. They are great for blasting belly fat.

Chickpeas: Super affordable and tasty, chickpeas deserve a spot in any health-conscious kitchen. Each serving comes packed with nutrients, from iron to B vitamins. And chickpeas have plenty of nutrients that can help you lose weight, too. How? Chickpeas are a great source of protein. Your body burns a lot of energy, in the form of calories, to help break down the protein.

Quinoa: Quinoa is higher in protein than any other grain, and it packs a hefty dose of heart-healthy, unsaturated fats. Quinoa is also a great source of fiber and B vitamins, and it’s gluten free.

Quinoa Flakes: Quinoa flakes are made from pressed quinoa. You get all the healthy benefits of quinoa with a more familiar breakfast texture and a quicker cooking time. Use it as a great alternative to oats for a quick breakfast.

Kamut: Kamut is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and is high in protein while being low in calories. A half-cup serving has 30 percent more protein than regular wheat, with only 140 calories. Kamut helps to reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation.

Bananas: Bananas help reduce stomach bloating and are a good source of potassium, which can help lower water retention and prevent muscle cramping during a workout. Bananas are also rich in glucose, a highly digestible sugar, which provides a quick energy boost.

Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are loaded with fiber and nutrients and can help you burn fat. The magic ingredients here are antioxidants — they stabilize blood-sugar levels and lower insulin resistance, which prevents calories from being converted into fat. They provide a great energy boost before a work out.

Broccoli: Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that’s rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C builds collagen, which forms body tissue and bone, and helps cuts and wounds heal. It has nearly 1 gram of fiber per 10 calories. Fiber helps keep you regular and helps maintain healthy bacteria levels in the intestines. Broccoli also aids in digestion by helping to keep your stomach lining healthy.

Buckwheat: Like quinoa, buckwheat is gluten free and a complete source of protein, which means it supplies all nine essential muscle-building amino acids the body cannot produce on its own. It is also high in magnesium and fiber.

Teff: Teff is a mild, nutty whole grain and a complete protein that’s rich in vitamins and fiber. It is also rich in calcium and iron. Diets rich in calcium have been associated with lower body weight and reduced weight gain over time.

Blueberries: A cup of blueberries has 21 grams of carbs, but they couldn’t be better for you. They are loaded with polyphenols — chemical compounds that prevent fat from forming — and that actively burns belly fat.

By incorporating these high fiber carbohydrates into your diet, you’ll feel fuller longer, get many of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, and burn fat while enjoying good, healthy food.

Pereg Natural Foods offers an extensive line of all-natural grains and ancient grains including quinoa, teff, buckwheat, kamut, lentils, and chickpeas, among others. They manufacture all their products from start to finish, controlling the quality from the sourcing until the product is packed and ready for the consumer.

This recipe incorporates many of the fiber-filled, fat-burning foods that will help you spring forward to a healthier, slimmer you!

Baby Quinoa Salad With Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Pereg Baby Quinoa
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1 red pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil, plus more for veggies
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Prepare baby quinoa according to package directions.
  3. Dice the onion, sweet potato, and pepper into small pieces. Put them on a sheet pan, and coat with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  4. Roast veggies at 425°F till golden brown and soft (about 25 minutes).
  5. Mix ¼ cup olive oil, honey, and balsamic vinegar in a container until completely mixed.
  6. Once the baby quinoa has cooked and rested, mix with the roasted veggies and dressing.
  7. Enjoy this dish at room temperature.

Recipe courtesy of Pereg Natural Foods

All Pereg products are certified kosher by the OU and the CRC, and are 100% natural, free from preservatives and additives. They are also dairy- and lactose-free. Pereg is available at leading supermarkets, health food and kosher food stores, and online for direct consumer purchase. Find recipes at pereg-gourmet.com/blogs/recipesFollow Pereg Natural Foods at on Facebook at facebook.com/PeregNatural, Twitter @pereggourmet, and Instagram @peregnatural. 

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