6 Foods Thin Women Eat Every Day

A pear a day might keep obesity at bay, according to new research published in the Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences. The study found that people who enjoyed this fruit on a regular basis were 35% less likely to be obese than those who didn't—even though both groups had the same overall activity level and calorie intake. The likely explanation: Pears are loaded with fiber, which numerous studies show aids in weight loss.

A day without a snack (or two) is like a PB&J sandwich without the peanut butter—totally boring. So when research from the International Journal of Obesity gave us the green light to snack on almonds, we rejoiced. The study found that people who ate 70 almonds each day (in addition to following a reduced-calorie diet) dropped 18% of their body weight in 6 months. Researchers say the cocktail of monounsaturated fats, protein, and fiber keeps people feel fuller longer. Unsalted, raw, or dry-roasted whole almonds are your best bet.

Green tea has been shown to help your health in myriad ways, including preventing heart disease, cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Now you can add weight loss to the list: Research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who consumed lots of green tea lost about 3 pounds within 12 weeks—even though they didn't make any other changes to their diet. Tea drinkers were also found to have lower BMIs, waist-to-hip ratios, and less body fat than non-tea drinkers. Researchers suspect the caffeine and catechins (a type of antioxidant found in green tea) increase the number of calories the body burns and boost fat oxidation for up to 24 hours after consumption.

Good news, extra-hot-salsa fans: Your favorite tongue-burning ingredient can also fire up your metabolism. Research presented at the Biophysical Society's 59th Annual Meeting in 2015 showed that adding capsaicin (that's what makes chili peppers hot) to a high-fat diet prevented weight gain. This particular study was done on mice, but previous research on humans taking capsaicin supplements has yielded similar findings. This compound seems to rev up the body's ability to burn fat and turn it into energy.

We know what you're thinking—this is too good to be true. But research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who eat at least one serving of whole milk or cheese each day have a lower risk of gaining weight than women who steer clear of it. While more research on this topic is needed, study authors believe full-fat dairy might be more satisfying, so you eat less of other foods. The fatty acids in dairy might also play a role in hormone regulation and somehow speed up your metabolism.

If you're not already in on the "put an egg on it" movement, it's time to get on board. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that eating eggs for breakfast (instead of a bagel or cereal) keeps hunger—and overeating—in check throughout the rest of the day. Protein helps you stay satiated in part because it moves through your stomach more slowly than carbs do.