Trying to trim down? Stock your shopping cart with these fresh, fat-fighting picks…
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Snow peas
Snow peas have flat, edible pods (no shelling required!), plus a sweet flavour and crisp texture that make them great for snacking.
Ginger
Just one teaspoon of fresh ginger and you'll feel full almost twice as quickly, say researchers at Florida's University of Miami.
Watercress
This delicate, peppery- tasting green is low-carb, low-fat and contains a paltry two calories per half cup.
Plums
Sweet, juicy plums are packed with soluble fibre. which swells up in the intestines and quickly dampens appetite.
Baby lettuce
Spring's sweet, tender baby lettuce variaties are now readily available bagged - and also as heads at some farmer's markets and well-stocked stores.
Shiitake mushrooms
They're not the prettiest things, but they have a rich, smokey flavour that works beautifully in meat dishes, soups and stews and more.
Spring onions
Sometimes called scallions or green onions, these mild young shoots wont bring tears to your eyes or leave a pungent smell on your skin after you cut them - and both thei
Nashi pears
Also called Asian pears, these tasty treats combine the shape and crispness of an apple with the texture, flavour and golden-yellow hue of a pear.
Baby spinach
If you've never been a fan of spinach because of it's strong taste, give baby spinach a try.
Garden peas
If your weight loss plans keep getting derailed because of snacking, garden peas could be the secret to slimming.
Eggplant
This purple powerhouse is actually a berry, not a vegetable.
Zucchini
Thanks to their crispy texture and almost non-existant flavour, they make a filling, yet unobtrusive addition to salads and veggie platters.
Button mushrooms
To lose weight at a steady pace, you need to keep your blood sugars low, since your body will only dip into your fat stores if it's supply of easy-to-burn sugars dries
Peppermint
These auromatic leaves add a cool burst of flavour to warm weather salads and drinks.
Tamarillos
They look like tiny tomatoes, but they've got a bit more of a kick. Gold and amber coloured tamarillos have a slightly tart flavour - and the red ones can make you pucker!
Asian greens
Bok choy, napa cabbage, Chinese mustard greens, choy sum...
Witloof (Chicory/Endive)
Heard of the glycemic index? It's a measure of how badly a food messes with your blood sugar - and with your ability to lose weight.
Guava
These sweet, tropical treats contain 112 calories per cup, but don't let that scare you off.
Okra
Okra's a bit of a mystery. According to USDA researchers, it's a fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-carb and not particularly high in protein.
Pineapple
Skip the canned stuff (which is usually soaked in waist-widening syrup) and opt for fresh pineapple, which is at it's peak in Spring.
Asparagus
One large asparagus spear contains just four calories. Even better?
Avocados
Avocados are higher in fat and calories than your average veggie.
Nectarines
Peaches get good press, but nectarines, which are in season starting in April, deserve equal attention.
Bananas
Need a fast, healthy snack? Nibble on a banana, advises Goodson. "They're easy to transport, contain around 100 calories each, and are very versatile.
Artichokes
"The beauty of an artichoke is that it takes a while to eat, so it's almost impossible to overindulge," explains Wendy Bazilian, registered dietition and author of
Cilantro
This spring herb, which can be added to anything from salsa to salads, is a dieter's secret weapon, says Bazilian. Why?
Strawberries
"Of all fruit, berries, including strawberries are the richest in health-enhancing antioxidants, yet ounce for ounce, they're the lowest in calories, making them a wai
Cucumber
With a cup of slices at 16 calories, what's not to love about cucumbers?
Sugar snap peas
These sweet, crunchy pods are only 26 calories per cup, so you can chomp on them until you're green, says Amy Goodson, a registered dietitian at Ben Hogan Sports Medicin
