The 16 Best Fruits For Weight Loss

Regular consumption of whole fruits has a positive effect on weight loss (1), (2), (3). Fruits are rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They help reduce hunger, BMI, waist circumference, cholesterol, and the risk of heart disease (4), (5), (6).

You must be wondering, “which fruits are good for weight loss?” In this article, we have listed 16 fruits that can help you lose weight. Scroll down for more information.

16 Best Fruits To Eat For Weight Loss

1. Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a tangy, juicy fruit that is known to aid weight loss. It is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber (7). A study confirmed that people who consumed half a grapefruit before a meal showed greater weight loss compared to those who took placebo. The fruit also reduced insulin resistance (8). Grapefruit also helps improve lipid profile, blood pressure, and reduce inflammation (9), (10), (11).
Consume half a grapefruit with breakfast and have half of it before lunch. You may also juice it (but make sure not to strain it unless you are on a low-fiber diet). If you want to try the grapefruit diet, click here.

Quick Tip

Ensure you use the red grapefruit to obtain delicious sweet juice. You can also add lime, orange juice, or green grapes for a hint of tanginess.

2. Watermelon

Watermelon is a great source of vitamin C, minerals, lycopene, and water (12). A study concluded that consuming two cups of apples a day could increase satiety and reduce weight, BMI, and blood pressure, making it one of the best fruits for weight loss (13). Another study stated that the lycopene in watermelon might help reduce oxidative stress, a key contributor to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) (14).

Consume at least one cup of watermelon every day. Consume it 1 hour before lunch.

3. Lemon

Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, a potent antioxidant (15). Scientists have found that lemon peel extract reduces body weight and fat accumulation in mice by increasing fat oxidation (16). A 11-day lemon detox diet showed a greater reduction in body weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio,  insulin resistance, and body fat percentage in humans (17).

A short-term lemon and honey juice fast also lowered serum triglyceride levels (18). Lime (nutritionally identical to lemon) and cumin, when taken for eight weeks, showed a beneficial effect on body weight, lipid profile, and cholesterol (19).

Consume a mixture of juice of half a lime, one teaspoon of organic honey (optional), and warm water regularly in the morning.

4. Apple

According to the USDA, apples are rich in beta-caroteneⁱ  XAn organic pigment that gives intensely colored red and orange pigment in plants, fruits, and fungi. , water, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (20). Consumption of a whole apple or apple juice showed promising weight loss results (21). A study found that people who consumed apple in any form had lower BMI and were 30% less likely to be obese than those who didn’t consume apples at all (22).

The antioxidants in apples help reduce oxidative damage, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (23). A study concluded that consuming two cups of watermelon a day could increase satiety and reduce weight,BMI, and blood pressure (24).

Consume at least one whole apple a day. You can have it with breakfast or before lunch.

5. Blueberry

Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, an antioxidant that imparts the dark blue-violet color to them (25).Researchers found blueberry anthocyanins to be the key players in reducing obesity risk, bad cholesterol, and improving insulin sensitivity in humans and lab animals (26). The dietary fiber in blueberries may also reduce hunger. Blueberry anthocyanins were also found to inhibit weight gain (27).

Consume a fistful of blueberries with breakfast in the morning. You may also make a smoothie with blueberry, oats, and almond milk.

The graph displays the number of fruits and vegetables that Americans of various ages consume. Children (2–5 years), children (6–11 years), teenagers (12–19 years), and adults (20+ years) are the four age groups into which the data is divided.

Weight change per increased fruit intake

6. Avocado

Avocado is a delicious buttery fruit. It is a rich source of monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals (28). Research studies confirm that consuming half to one avocado a day increases satiety, reduces bad cholesterol, helps maintain weight, and improves cardiovascular health (29), (30), (28), (31).

Consume half an avocado with toast, in smoothies, with freshly made guacamole, or in salads.

7. Orange And Blood Orange

Oranges and blood oranges, along with a low calorie diet, may help reduce weight. Remember, commercially available orange juices have added sugar, which may not serve the purpose. Freshly pressed orange or blood orange juice (or the whole fruit) helps with fat burning and reduces body weight, body fat, insulin resistance, and LDL cholesterol (32), (33), (34).

Consume one whole fruit or juice it. You may also make a delicious salad dressing or add orange slices to a salad.

8. Pomegranate

The luscious red ruby-like pomegranate contains anti-obesity nutrients. The anthocyanins, tannins, polyphenolsⁱ  XA naturally occurring micronutrient with anti-obesity properties that may help burn fat and lose weight. , and flavonoidsⁱ  XA large family of polyphenolic compounds that protects against oxidative damage and prevent diseases. (antioxidants) in pomegranate may help reduce fat (35). A study states that the antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice is more than that of red wine or green tea (36). Another study states that pomegranate extracts may help lower blood pressure levels (37).

Consume half a cup of pomegranate every alternate day. You may add it to salads, salad dressings, and juices.

9. Acai Berry

Acai berry is a highly nutritious, deep purple berry. It is a weight loss superfood as it is loaded with antioxidants that help reduce cholesterol and high blood sugar (38). Acai berry juice was found to help athletes reduce exercise-induced muscle damage. It also could improve their serum lipid profiles (39).

You can make delicious acai bowls for breakfast or lunch as a meal replacement.

10. Banana

Ripe bananas are satiating, provide energy, and are a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and potassium (40). Raw bananas are an excellent source of resistant starch. According to a review by Dr. Janine A Higgins of the University of Colorado Denver, the resistant starch has many attributes, which could promote weight loss and/or maintenance including reduced insulin levels after meals, increased release of gut satiety peptides, increased fat oxidation, lower fat storage, and preservation of lean body mass (41). The banana native starch supplement may help lower body weight and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes (42).

Himanshi Parmar, a lifestyle blogger, attests to the satiety induced by bananas, which she discovered as part of her course diet as a student of therapeutic yoga. She claims, “After eating 4 bananas at a stretch every day at 10:30 am I see that I am pretty satisfied. I feel like I don’t need to eat anything else after that. In addition, I noticed that I’m a lot more energized and focused (i).” She goes on to say that since this diet also involves drinking a lot of water, she is hopeful to note more benefits in the future.

Try adding raw banana to your diet to get the maximum resistant starch (43). You may also add banana to your smoothies, acai bowl, or oatmeal or have a banana 45 minutes before working out (for added energy).

11. Kiwi

As per research, consuming one kiwi every week may help lower triglyceridesⁱ  XThey are naturally occurring and the most common type of fat that gives you energy and is stored in the blood. , increase good cholesterol levels (HDL cholesterol), and reduce insulin resistance (44). Kiwi fruit also helps reduce the size of fat cells (45). Kiwi fruit is also loaded with vitamin C that helps reduce toxins in the body. The fiber in the fruit aids proper digestion (46).

Consume at least one kiwi fruit per week (ensure you take it with the skin intact). Add the fruit to smoothies or salads. You may also juice it.

Emm, a blogger from Singapore, talks about her experience of over two months of eating kiwis every day. “I lost 1.5kg within 2 months, including light exercise 2-3 times a week on top of daily dosage of kiwis (ii),” she says. Additionally, she also observed an improvement in digestive functions and reduced tiredness and blood clots.

Quick Tip

You can also add apples, lemon juice, and cucumbers to make your kiwi juice more tangy and refreshing.

12. Strawberry

Strawberries are rich in anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that help reduce toxins and inflammation (47).Theanthocyanins in strawberries help improve glucose uptake, increase insulin sensitivity, improve blood lipid profile, and lower blood sugar levels (48), (49). Consuming strawberries also lowers the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerationⁱ  XThe progressive damage to the structure and functions of neurons, affecting your body’s activities like thinking, reading, and speaking. (50), (51).

You can consume 6-7 strawberries every alternate day in smoothies, salads, oatmeal, acai bowl, or as a snack.

13. Goji Berry

The bright red-orange berries are loaded with fiber, protein, and carotenoidsⁱ  XColor pigments that occur naturally in plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae to give their yellow, orange, and red colors. .  In studies on lab animals and humans, goji berries could lower lipids and blood sugar levels and protect the heart (52). American scientists found that goji berries might help reduce waist circumference by boosting metabolism (53). Goji berries also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in people with metabolic syndrome (54).

Toss in a handful of goji berries in oatmeal, acai bowl, smoothies, and salads.

14. Stone Fruits

Fruits like pears, plums, prunes, and cherries are known as stone fruits. Cherries are rich in anthocyanins. A study on lab animals showed reduced inflammation and a lowered risk of developing type 2 diabetes in those fed with cherries (55).

In another study, scientists found that the juice of peaches and plums could help protect against high blood sugar. The juice could also treat leptin (hunger inhibiting hormone) resistance and lower high blood lipid levels (56).

As per another study, consuming prunes had resulted in a moderate reduction in body weight (57).

Consume one peach or plum, 2 prunes, and one-fourth cup of cherries per day. Consume them whole if you do not have IBD/IBS.

15. Pineapple

Pineapples are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and phytonutrientsⁱ  XThe natural chemicals and compounds produced by plants that help in plant growth and defense against pathogens. (58). In a study, lab animals on a high-fat diet showed improved lipolysis (fat breakdown) and decreased lipogenesis (fat synthesis) after consuming pineapple juice (59).
Consume a cup of pineapple every day to improve digestion and induce fat breakdown. You may also follow the pineapple diet for quicker weight loss.

16. Honeydew Melon

The honeydew melon contains about 90% water and has low calories. A 100 g portion of honeydew melon contains 89.8 g of water and 36 kcal (60). A study found that the fruit had an anti-obesity effect and could help prevent weight gain. According to this 8-week study conducted on mice, the group of mice fed with honeydew melon had reduced body weight compared to those in the high-fat diet group (61). Melon extracts also helped decrease abdominal fat and the size of fat cells. The treatment positively affected proteins related to fat metabolism and reduced fat accumulation in the liver. The research shows that this fruit may help combat obesity, in turn, affecting body weight, blood fat levels, fat accumulation, liver health, and inflammation.

These are the 16 best fruits for weight loss. Making these fruits a part of your regular diet can help with weight loss. In addition to these, if you are trying to lose weight, there are other fruits you may want to avoid (as they contain more calories and/or have a high glycemic index).

Fruits To Avoid

1. Sapodilla
2. Grapes
3. Mangoes
4. Dried apricots
5. Dried berries
6. Dried figs

Infographic: 7 Fruits To Add To Your Diet To Lose Weight

Losing weight in a sustainable way requires you to have a healthy intake of nutritious food along with a good exercise regimen. Fruits are some of the most nourishing foods packed with nutrients that are beneficial for your overall health and well-being. Check out the following infographic to learn more about the fruits you can include in your diet to aid your weight loss journey.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can too much fruit make you fat?

Too much fruit sugar may lead to potential weight gain.

Is two bananas a day too much?

You can have one or two bananas as part of a balanced meal every day.

Which fruit is the lowest in sugar?

Papaya, cucumber, berries, and lemons are a few fruit examples with zero or minimal amount of sugar.

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

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Ritika DassPGDDPHN

   

Ritika Dass is a senior clinical nutritionist with more than 8 years of experience in analyzing the nutritional needs of individuals at various stages of life. She customizes therapeutic diet plans according to the age, gender, and clinical condition of her clients. She completed her graduation and post-graduation in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, in...more

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information. After completing her master's in biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology,...more

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

Payal KarnikSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science. This formidable combination equips her with the knowledge to write research-backed health and wellness articles. She has also published a research...more