Sick of Celery Sticks? Try these 5 foods for a trimmer waistline.

The cabbage soup diet. Celery, carrots, and more celery. No doughnuts. No more iced extra-whipped mocha-caramel frappuccinos. Paleo? Vegan?

Between fad diets and the “Do Not Touch” food lists, attempting to shed weight can turn into a complete headache.

Instead of a list of “Don’ts,” we wanted to surprise you with a list of foods to add to your “Yes” list. In moderate amounts, these five foods help with weight management and provide additional health benefits.

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The Skinny:

Because it is filled with fatty acids, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has the ability to make you feel more satiated than other oils such as canola or soybean oil. Even in a calorie restricted diet, studies have shown women in particular to lose up to 80% more body fat who consumed extra virgin olive oil (25mL) versus those who consumed soybean oil (25mL) in a 9 week period.

A Healthier You:

According to a study discussed on Time Health, those who eat a diet higher in olive oil showed improvement in their HDL function (the good cholesterol). The scientists hypothesize that the antioxidant compounds found in olive oil bind to the HDL and prevent the cholesterol from inflammation-related damage. Studies also show EVOO can reduce blood pressure significantly enough to eliminate the need for accompanying meds by 48%.

Top It: In order to reap the maximum benefits, stick to 1-2 tablespoons per day by drizzling over sliced heirloom tomatoes with salt/pepper or mix with balsamic vinegar to dress a green salad. This is important because most bottled salad dressings are filled with empty calories.

2. Walnuts

The Skinny:

In a brain imaging study conducted by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the findings concluded that consuming walnuts promotes feelings of satiety by activating areas in the brain associated with regulated hunger and cravings. Participants were given smoothies containing 48 grams of walnuts (2oz), and the control group received smoothies with no nuts. The participants who consumed smoothies with the walnuts reported feeling fuller than the ones who drank smoothies with no walnuts.

A Healthier You:

As one of the best foods to prevent clogged arteries, walnuts are known to reduce the risk of heart disease. This is because the contain the amino acid I-arginine, which is beneficial to people with heart disease or who have an increased risk for heart disease. They also are filled with the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). People who eat a diet high in ALA are less likely to have a fatal heart attack.