7 Surprising Foods That Help You Lose Weight

Find out which unexpected foods can help you shed pounds.

By Diana Kelly Levey

Depending on the weight loss plan you’re following, you may have sworn off a number of foods for a variety of reasons — perhaps they don’t fit into the diet our cavemen ancestors ate, your friend told you that she read a certain food is terrible for you, or some celebrity said she effortlessly dropped her baby weight by cutting this one food out of her diet. Whatever your reason for eliminating certain foods from your daily diet, we’re sharing why science supports adding these wholesome foods back into your eating plan.

More: The Top 10 Fat-Burning Foods

Bananas

Avoiding this fruit because it’s high in sugar and carbs? While you shouldn’t eat a few of these a day if you’re trying to lose weight, a banana is a wholesome, healthy snack, yogurt topper, smoothie base, and a good-for-you way to satisfy your sweet tooth. This fruit is a good source of vitamins, minerals and contains fiber — which many of us could use more of in our diets to feel fuller on fewer calories. And if you’re satisfying that hankering for something sweet with a piece of fruit — instead of candy, doughnuts, cakes or desserts — you’re more likely to lose weight.

More: 20 Negative Calorie-Effect Foods That Boost Metabolism

The #1 Thing to Remember When Caring for a Sick Parent

It can help you be a better caregiver while also releasing you of overwhelming burden.

Caring for an ageing or sick parent at home can be a wonderful act of love — but it can also be a big sacrifice. Along with the new responsibility comes added stress to your life that's probably already taxing. Not to mention, it significantly changes the relationship between the two of you. If you're a caregiver for a parent, or thinking about what next step is best, this is one of the most important things to remember about this life phase. It can help you be a better caregiver while also releasing you of a lot of the burden that comes with the role.

TV and podcast host Maria Menounos is currently taking care of her mother, who has brain cancer. She learned this lesson from a guest on her series "Better Together."

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