5 Surprising Foods That Help You Lose Weight

Ounce for ounce, pistachios are higher in calories than other snacking nuts, such as almonds or cashews. But the in-shell superfood makes up for it in a big way: Pistachios take longer to eat than naked nuts, and that slowed scarfing down results in a lower calorie intake, studies show. And there's another reason the crunchy snack can help keep you slim down: Researchers found that when you see a pile of empty shells in front of you, it tricks your brain into thinking you're indulging. In other words, "A serving of pistachios looks big in a bowl, but in the end, you're only eating a quarter-cup of nuts," Ott says.