It can be hard to know what you should and shouldn't eat for a weight loss diet for women when there are so many foods to choose from. But, there are some foods that are great for you and help you lose weight at the same time.

It can be hard to know what you should and shouldn't eat for a weight loss diet for women when there are so many foods to choose from. But, there are some foods that are great for you and help you lose weight at the same time.

What Makes a Food the 'Healthiest'

The healthiest foods should meet 6 important criteria:

• Dense Nutrients -- They should have a high percentage of essential nutrients compared to the amount of calories.

• Good Taste -- If you have to hold your nose and gag it down, chances are you won't eat it no matter how good it is for you.

• Whole -- Processed foods have been stripped of most of their nutrients and have had a ton of artificial ingredients added to them that just aren't good for you.

• Affordable -- You need to be able to find them fresh, at a good price.

• Available -- The best foods can be found from your local market. Many of them are locally grown.

• Familiar -- The healthiest foods should be easily recognizable. You should know how to prepare them and what foods they work with, to make them easy to add to your meal plans.

So what are the best foods for weight loss for women?

Beef: The fat content in beef regulates your hormones. This is great for preventing that afternoon crash. Try adding it to your breakfast with some nuts to improve your mental accuracy and focus. The protein also helps rebuild muscle tissue after you exercise, aiding in your post work out recovery. What a great way to start your day!

Fish Oil: Fish oils have a ton of benefits. They:

• Give your body energy

• Prevent fat storage

• Increase your body's insulin sensitivity

• Lower your cholesterol levels

• Promote muscle growth

• Reduce inflammation

• Lower blood pressure.

Some studies have even found fish oils reduce your risk of various cancers and other diseases. And because it improves so many different aspects of your health and athletic performance, it makes it one of the best supplements you can take in a weight loss diet for women.

Grapefruit: Grapefruit contain a number of important nutrients and antioxidants including:

• Vitamin C

• Lycopene

• Polyphenols

• Phenolic compounds

• Limonoids

• Pectin

• Naringenin

Eggs: The leucine found in eggs makes them a great food to include in a weight loss diet for women. This amino acid helps reduce the amount of lean tissue loss, while increasing fat loss and stabilizing your glucose levels. In other words, it boosts your metabolism and turns you into a fat-burning machine.

Broccoli: Low in carbs and high in fiber, broccoli helps you feel full and sustain your energy levels. It's low in calories and fat, and high in vitamin C, which helps you fight illnesses while and burn fat. In fact, one study performed by Dr. Carol Johnston found vitamin C could increase weight loss by up to 30%.

Beans: If added to your diet in the right way, beans can help you lose lots of weight. They're an excellent source of lean protein and low in calories, so use them to substitute foods that are high in calories and saturated fats. And because they're high in fiber, they'll help you feel full, so you'll eat less without feeling hungry.

Turkey: Turkey is an excellent source of protein and low in calories, but the best part about eating turkey is its high level of tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the 10 essential amino acids the body uses in a number of processes, including producing nervous system messengers like those necessary for rest, relaxation, and sleep.

Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are another food high in fiber, which is important in a weight loss diet for women. Fiber helps keeps us regular, fights diseases, and reduces our risk of colon cancer. It also slows digestion to help you feel fuller longer, while helping us flush fat from our bodies.

Sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of beta-carotene, complex carbohydrates, manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties are great for helping you stay healthy and rebuild muscle tissue after exercising.

Add these eight foods into a weight loss diet for women and you'll be losing inches and building muscle like crazy. You'll look fantastic and feel like you can take on the world, and that's how you should feel!