Weight loss is something that many of us want and need to do but it can be a struggle. Weight loss requires a lifestyle change that increases your activity level well lowering your calorie intake with more nutritious foods. Everyone who is trying to lose weight wishes that there was some magic food or supplement that will magically cause you to lose weight without changing anything else. Anyone who tells you that there is a solution like that is full of crap. There are no magic weight loss foods, however there are foods that increase your metabolism, curb your appetite and still taste good. Let us look at 9 foods that you can eat during the summer months that will help you lose weight while still enjoying great tasting foods. One meal that surprised me at first that can be a healthy meal is soup. Not soup that you buy in a can at the grocery store, (these often contain added sodium), but soup that you make on your own. One reason soup is such a great food for weight loss is that it is mostly made up by zero calorie water. This fills your stomach up while keeping your calorie intake down. Another great thing about soup is that it often contains many vegetables that are high in fiber. Fiber is a macronutrient that has been proven to reduce your appetite by making you feel fuller longer, reducing your calorie intake which ultimately promotes weight loss. The combination of water and fiber will keep you feeling full and limiting your calories without making you feel like you’re starving and it taste delicious. The next item we will go over is a summer favorite, watermelon. Like soup watermelon is largely made up of water and is high in fiber. It is also very low in calories; one cup of watermelon only contains 47 calories! Watermelon also contains a type of fiber that which binds to and carries fat out of your system. This food is not only great for you but is also great tasting and is a very common summer fruit. Be careful though, like most items on this list you still need to watch your portions. Watermelon is low in calories but even too much of a good thing is too much. Another great fruit for summer that is a little easier to manage while shopping than a watermelon is strawberries. Like many fruits strawberries are packed with fiber and many other nutrients. Strawberries are also very low on calories and can be added to many different meals. They are great on their own but can be combined with other fruits to create a tasty fruit salad. Summer is usually warm so try blending strawberries with some other fruits, some Kale, some low-fat yogurt and some ice to make yourself a cool healthy treat. Summer is often filled with BBQ’s and get togethers where it can sometimes be hard to stay away from high calorie foods. There are tricks you can do to make sure you still get high quality nutrients while still enjoying that BBQ taste. Try switching from cheese burgers and hot dogs to grilled chicken, still tasty when grilled but a little bit better for you. Next make sure to fill your plate with a variety of grilled vegetables. Filling your plate with these will not only add filling and healthy nutrients to your diet but will also keep you from craving those BBQ foods. Another option for replacing those cheeseburgers and hot dogs on the grill is seafood. Seafood is great grilled and contains lean protein that is a great way to stay full and help control weight loss. Seafood is also very high is Omega-3 oil which is not only good for your heart health but combined with healthy meals and exercise helps trim belly fat. One reason people find themselves feeling hunger even after eating a big meal is that they are dehydrated from it. Many foods are high in sodium and fat and can cause your body to be dehydrated and can make your body think that it is still hungry. Cucumbers are a great food to add to your diet because, like most high water containing foods, they refresh your body and keep you hydrated. Cucumbers can be added to veggie trays for a tasty snack for you and your guest. Besides hydration there are other reasons why your body thinks it is hungry when it is not. One reason is sugar, sugar causes you blood sugar to rise leaving you wanting more food shortly after. Raspberries are a great low sugar food to add to your list of great summer foods. They are very tasty and have the lowest sugar content of any of the fruits in this article. Raspberries make a great addition to any fruit salad or smoothie. Spicy salsa is a great addition to any list for foods that most people love and ones that can aid in your weight loss goals. Hot chili peppers naturally contain Capaicinoids and can cause you to eat less. Research also point to it going straight to your fat cells and helping to reduce belly fat. Spicy salsas also are generally healthier than most dairy and bean based dips. That is because they often contain fewer calories and many more vegetables. These spicy salsas can be used for more than just dips, try using it as a healthy replacement for salad dressings. Pineapples can be enjoyed all year round but are also a great thing to include in your diet during the summer. This fruit is not only very high in water but contains two enzymes that are very beneficial in weight loss. These enzymes are very effective at breaking down food in your body and increase your body’s ability to burn fat more effectively.