Healthy weight is important for preventing health problems that include cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Losing weight helps many people reduce their risk of genetic conditions and promotes good overall health. Incorporating cucumbers and pears into your meal plan is a good way to control fat and calorie intake. In addition, both contain many vitamins and minerals. Talk to your doctor before beginning a new weight loss routine.
Healthy
Weight Loss
To drop 1 pound per week, you must cut 3,500 calories from
your diet, or 500 calories a day. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends losing 1 to 2 pounds per week; such slow and steady
change increases the chance that you'll keep the weight off. Incorporating
low-calorie foods, such as cucumbers and pears, into your meal plan is a good
way to keep your intake low.
Calorie
Content
Fruits and vegetables are good options for weight loss
because most supply fewer than 100 calories per serving and contain fiber,
which digests slowly, keeping you feeling full longer. Cucumbers and pears are
particularly low in calories, are easy to prepare and are economical. A
half-cup of sliced cucumbers contains only 8 calories. One medium pear has only
103 calories. Both make healthy snacks and are versatile enough to use in many
recipes.
Uses
Sliced cucumbers or pears stand alone but also pair well
with many other foods, allowing you to use them in several ways. This prevents
boredom with eating the same foods all the time, which may cause you to quit
your weight loss program before you reach your goals. Try adding sliced
cucumbers to sandwiches, salads and wraps or serve them with a small amount of
soy sauce and sesame seeds for a side dish. Chopped cucumbers add crunch and
flavor to tuna salad and chicken salad. Add sliced pears to tossed salad or
chop and mix them into chicken salad or fruit salad. Bake pears with a sprinkle
of cinnamon for a low-calorie dessert.
Considerations
Pears and cucumbers offer potential weight loss benefits
and contain many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C and potassium. You should
include them in your diet along with foods from all the food groups, however,
which ensures that your nutritional needs are met and your appetite is
satisfied. Add pears and cucumbers to a meal plan that contains whole grains,
low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and proteins. Exercise is an important part
of a healthy weight loss plan. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
