You’re ready to get started. Eating healthy is on the top of your to do list and you’re serious about dropping those unwanted inches and shedding those pounds. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be bland and boring. Satisfy your sweet tooth, and learn to love the rich variety of textures and tastes with these 12 healthy food choices.

Easily incorporate them into your current meal plan or use them as a base for your new healthy diet. These 12 healthy foods for weight loss aren’t just super foods in the kitchen, but are super heroes on the scale as well.

Bananas

Boost your metabolism. A slightly green, medium-size banana boasts 12.5 grams of Resistant Starch – even a ripe banana rates high with about 5 grams of RS.

Spinach

Popeye knew the benefits of spinach. Now you can too. This leafy green doesn’t just build muscle, it helps fight off osteoporosis, heart disease, arthritis and sever types of cancer. Loaded with vitamins (A & C), folate, and magnesium, it’s low on calories and when eaten with foods rich in Vitamin C improves the body’s iron absorption.

Eggs

You may believe that eggs are full of fat, making them a poor food choice for weight loss. Not true. This breakfast staple is loaded with protein and will curb your appetite – keeping your feeling full longer.

Blueberries

Berries are known for their anti-aging effects and blueberries specifically – while tine, pack 80 calories in 1 serving with a full 4 grams of fiber. They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and fight off those hunger pains.

Sweet Potatoes

Rich in potassium, and loaded with Vitamin C and calcium, these orange beauties are the perfect substitute for your traditional loaded baked potato. The natural sweetness of this vegetable helps reduce calories of butter, salt, and dairy products – meaning you take in less calories but still get a great taste.

Watermelon

This summertime staple contains high levels of lycopene and beta carotene – natural antioxidants for fighting cancer and preventing sun-related skin damage.

Peanut Butter

A healthy dose of peanut butter has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and helped maintain low cholesterol. When eaten in moderation (1/3 cup or less daily), peanut butter has been shown to help lower BMI – an indicator of body fat.

Tomatoes

They’re red, and they’re powerhouses of nutrition. Tomatoes deliver huge amounts of vitamins A & C, is low  in carbohydrates and has about 35 calories. Eating tomatoes has shown a decrease in the risk of prostate and other digestive tract cancers because they have high levels of lycopene.

Quinoa

A diet-friendly whole grain, quinoa is a hunger-fighting protein. Toss some in your salad or eat it as a side dish to avoid overeating.

Dark Chocolate

Who says eating healthy doesn’t involve sweets? A nibble of dark chocolate can help slow down digestion so you feel full longer and eat less throughout the day. It’s also full of healthy fats that can rev your metabolism to help burn fat and calories.

Almonds

Almonds are a carb-heavy snack like crackers , but they’re filled with healthy fats that help you slim down rather than put pounds around your waist.

Avocados

There’s no reason to be afraid of eating fats—as long as they’re the right fats.

Oleic acid, a compound in avocados’ healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs), may trigger your body to actually quiet hunger. Stick to a quarter or a half of an avocado and watch that belly fat melt away. The creamy fruit is also packed with fiber and protein.

Kale

One cup of chopped kale contains 33 calories and 9% of the daily value of calcium, 206% of vitamin A, 134% of vitamin C, and a whopping 684% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. This veggies helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Salmon

Lean sources of protein help you feel full without adding fat. Up your protein intake with salmon. It’s a lean red meat that is full of MUFAs, making it a perfect food choice for those trying to shed a few pounds.

Greek Yogurt

Skip the extra sugar and pump up your protein by eating Greek yogurt. All yogurts are excellent sources of calcium, potassium, protein, sink, and vitamins B6 and B12, but Greek yogurt boasts a thicker, creamier texture, contains probiotic cultures and is lower in lactose while having twice the protein of regular yogurts. Greek Yogurt really is the Zeus of the dairy section.

information gathered from webmd.com and health.com