Is Cucumber Good for Weight Loss? Know How & When to Eat Cucumbers for Weight Loss!

Cucumber: Nutrition

Cucumber is a popular green garden vegetable that is slightly bitter and has a melon-like taste. This crisp, refreshing veggie has high water content and is rich in phytochemicals and other essential nutrients. Let’s take a look at the nutrition information in half a cup of unpeeled cucumber.

Cucumber for Weight Loss: Does it Work?

As discussed above, cucumbers are high in nutrients (such as sodium, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin K), certain plant compounds (flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds) and antioxidants that are beneficial for your overall health. They are ideal for hydration and one of the best foods that can aid weight loss. Let’s find out how it works:

Low in Calories

For losing weight, it is essential that you create a calorie deficit. Ideally, you should be burning more calories than what you consume. For this, it is important to add foods that are low in calories to your weight loss diet. Cucumbers are low in calories and ideal for weight loss. One serving or half a cup of sliced unpeeled cucumber contains only 8 calories. Therefore, you can consume them worry-free while trying to lose weight.

High in Proteins

Cucumbers are a good source of protein. Proteins are essential nutrients that your body needs for proper functioning. They play a major role in the development and repair of your cells. But what is its role in weight loss? Proteins can boost your metabolism by making your body burn more calories. It also helps in reducing your hunger by keeping you satiated for long periods and thereby, controlling your calorie intake. Having a diet rich in protein helps you lose weight without losing muscle. They also help you burn more calories at rest.

Low in Fat

You must be aware that your diet should have a healthy balance of fats while trying to lose weight. Cucumbers are low in fat and contain unsaturated or healthy fats. They are essential and beneficial for your body in many ways. Consuming foods that are rich in healthy fats will help you lower your cholesterol levels, improve the functioning of your nervous system and also help in burning calories at a faster rate, thus, contributing to weight loss.

High in Vitamins and Minerals

Cucumber has high water content and is loaded with nutrients like sodium, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin K. Sodium is a crucial electrolyte, which when consumed in the right quantities, can help you maintain healthy body weight. Potassium in your diet can boost your metabolism, helping your body burn more calories. Regular consumption of vitamin C and vitamin K is

How to Add Cucumber to Your Daily Diet?

Add Them to Your Salads: Adding cucumbers to your salads is a great way to stay full for longer and avoid frequent hunger pangs.

Make a Refreshing Drink: To make a refreshing cucumber drink, slice half a cucumber, add mint leaves, basil leaves, some lemon juice and blend them.

Snack on Them: Sliced raw cucumber can be consumed as a snack in between meals. It will keep you hydrated and satiated for long.

Add Them to Your Meals: Chopped cucumber can be added to your daily diet to increase its nutritional value. Add them to your sandwiches, rolls or curries while planning your weight loss diet.

Jazz up Your Drinking Water: Add mint leaves and sliced cucumber to your drinking water to improve its taste and nutritional value.

How Much Cucumber to Eat Daily?

You can consume one medium-sized cucumber in a day. It provides you with essential nutrients that your body needs and is also low in calories, making it a perfect weight-loss food. It also improves digestion and prevents problems such as bloating and constipation.

Best Time to Eat Cucumber for Weight Loss

Cucumber is a powerhouse of nutrients and it can be eaten at any time of the day. However, to reap maximum benefits, you can consume cucumbers during the daytime, preferably before a meal.

What are the Risks of Overconsumption of Cucumbers?

Though having cucumbers are beneficial in many ways, eating more than the recommended amount of cucumbers in a day can cause problems with digestion, leading to bloating and constipation.