Maintaining a healthy diet packed with nutrient-rich foods is a safe, effective way to lose weight. According to a doctor, certain foods can be particularly associated with weight loss.
Dr Neal Barnard, founding president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, said that eating blueberries will help you shed fat.
The expert said: "Researchers have actually looked at going beyond the foods that cause weight gain - that's a good point - but there are certain foods that actually seem to be associated with weight loss."
He referenced a Harvard University study which found there are certain foods that are linked with weight loss "if they are brought into the diet in a big way".
Stocking up on a particular fruit may be the secret to losing weight
YouTube / Physicians Committee / GETTY IMAGES
Speaking to the Physicians Committee, Dr Barnard said the "number one category of foods" was blueberries and other berries.
The doctor explained that these weight-loss-friendly fruits are "high in fibre", "really low in calories" and "tend to be filling".
Blueberries are also rich in anthocyanins - a group of deep red, purple and blue pigments found in plants.
In a study of identical twins, it was found that the twin who consumed more anthocyanins had nine per cent less body fat - specifically abdominal fat - than the other twin.
The weight loss expert said: "What we think is that there is something about these anthocyanins that affects body metabolism."
Dr Barnard recommended pairing your blueberries with mangos and bananas for a "sweet as pudding" dessert - without any of the "bad" stuff.
There are plenty of ways for slimmers to incorporate blueberries into their diets. Add blueberries to a bowl of yoghurt or a salad, or bake them into a healthy blueberry muffin. Frozen berries are effective too.
But it's important to note that a blueberry muffin packed with butter, sugar and oil is not going to be fat-loss-friendly. In fact, you'll "completely undo the benefit of the blueberries".
However, a muffin comprising of blueberries, wholegrain flour and other nutritious ingredients will help slimmers achieve their weight loss goals.
As for other berries, the doctor said these can have the same benefit.
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Blueberries are tasty and versatile, not to mention high in fibre, low in calories and very filling
GETTY IMAGESHe added that anthocyanins are "powerful antioxidants", urging slimmers to stock up on anthocyanin-rich strawberries and grapes too.
The expert also encouraged the consumption of melon, a low-calorie, nutritious snack packed with vitamins and water.
Another way slimmers can fight their excess fat is by adopting healthy habits at mealtimes.
Britons over 50 were told "the weight will fall off" if they make three crucial diet choices.
