Beans: Any legumes, like black beans or lentils, have a large amount of starch. Some say you should avoid starchy foods, but beans contain plenty of great nutrients, and tons of fibre. They help keep your gut healthy by balancing the bacteria and you will feel fuller longer, and ultimately eat less. Combining beans with foods containing vitamin C will help increase the absorption of nutrients.

Sweet Potatoes, Yams and Winter Squash: These foods, and in particular (with a few exceptions), the skins, will fill you up with fibre and provide excellent nutrients. They contain complex carbohydrates that keep your metabolism running strong, burning calories all day long. This helps with controlling your appetite and keeping your energy at a high level.

Oats: One of the best whole grains for you, oats have a high amount of soluble fibre. This means that they are great at cleaning out your gut because they absorb water and cholesterol to keep your blood sugar balanced. 

Oats will fill you up and offer you consistent energy throughout the day, which makes you feel good and makes you less likely to snack on junk food in the middle of the day, which helps with weight control.

Chia and flax seeds: These tiny seeds pack a punch nutritionally, especially when you consider the fibre and heart healthy fats that are present. This means that they help your gut stay healthy, which helps with weight control. 

They will also fill you up, helping to control your appetite while giving your metabolism a great boost.

Avocados:  Avocados contain plenty of heart healthy monounsaturated fats and this helps them promote great vitamin and mineral absorption. They are a great source of energy, and because they digest slowly, they can help you with weight control by feeling satisfied longer. Their high fibre content also keeps you feeling full and keeps your gut healthy.

Cabbage and related vegetables: Vegetables that are in the cabbage family, known as the cruciferous family, help clean carcinogens out of the body and also promote weight loss. Because they contain very few calories but make you feel full, they are great when you are trying to control your weight. 

You will feel very full and satisfied after eating a big plate of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens or kale.

Fermented foods: Foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi help your gut maintain a healthy level of bacteria. This is important for weight loss as well as overall good health. When the gut bacteria is not well balanced, you are at a higher risk for obesity, as well as metabolic issues. 

These fermented foods are also very high in protein, which keeps you feeling fuller longer and keeps your energy level high.

Tea:  Because tea is very minimally processed and contains many antioxidant compounds, it is a great addition to any healthy diet. Tea can boost your metabolism, especially greet tea. The caffeine helps give you energy, but tea contains less caffeine than coffee, so you can usually avoid getting jittery after drinking tea.

Quinoa: This healthy food is actually a seed that is naturally gluten free and filled with protein. It makes for a great snack and fills you up, and it contains plenty of amino acids that give you great energy all day long.

Water: One of the most essential parts of a healthy diet, water is important for keeping you hydrated, keeping your body cleansed, keeping organs running properly and giving you healthy skin and hair. Water also helps to fill you up and control your appetite. Drink water before and during every meal for great weight control. 

Instead of reaching for a sugary snack when your energy levels sink in the afternoon, reach for a tall glass of water. Often dehydration is mistaken for fatigue. Stay hydrated and your energy will stay higher.