With Christmas just around the corner, people may want to prepare for what is usually a very over-indulgent time.

For those who want to slim down before the festive season, nailing an exercise routine isn’t always enough to shift unwanted weight. Instead, the right diet rich with nourishing foods is key to shedding the pounds, according to experts at Breaking Muscle.

The specialist are encouraging people to be mindful of their diet in the run-up to Christmas, Liverpool Echo reports.

The fitness experts say that there are two main food groups that aid weight loss the most – proteins and carbohydrates.

In order for you to lose weight, these must be incorporated into your everyday diet and Breaking Muscle has shared five key examples that could help you achieve your goals.

A spokesperson said: “It can often take time to become familiar with the right workouts for your fitness goals, and to add to that, it can be challenging finding where to start when it comes to the best foods to eat. Thankfully, there are plenty of foods packed with the important nutrients that fit different fitness goals, whether that’s to increase muscle mass, lose weight, or both.

“It’s essential that those who are into exercise understand that meals and snacks don’t need to be anything complicated, and something as simple as oatmeal and bananas for breakfast won’t take a chunk of time out of a busy day.”

Brown rice

According to the experts, brown rice is really effective for exercise. It contains plenty of key nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein and antioxidants, as well as healthy fats that give you energy during workouts.

Not only this, but it also helps keep you fuller for longer due to the high fibre content – meaning you’re likely to consume less calories. The experts suggest pairing it with kidney or black beans for extra protein, which will help you gain muscle.

Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt is a diet “essential” due to its high protein content.

The experts say that because it’s low in calories and sugar, it can help you lose weight and build muscle, as well as containing probiotics which boost your immune system and gut health.

For an even healthier snack, try adding a handful of almonds, as just one ounce contains six grams of protein.

Eggs are high in protein

They added: “To help muscle gain and weight loss, poached or boiled eggs are the healthiest way to consume them as they retain most of their nutrients and don’t require adding more calories from extras such as oil. Serve your eggs with whole grain bread for a high intake of protein and fibre.”

Porridge

This popular breakfast is really effective at increasing stamina. According to the experts, it’s filled with healthy carbs and protein that give you plenty of energy for your workouts.

They added: “Plus, you can add in extras for more flavour like berries which contains inflammation-fighting antioxidants that help your body to heal after exercise.”

Sweet potatoes

These are another healthy carbohydrate that can help you drop the pounds, as the combination of fibre and water keeps you full.

They’re also packed with nutrients such as vitamin A and potassium, which all contribute to the building of muscles. The experts also suggested pairing these with red peppers at mealtimes, which contain anti-inflammatory antioxidants – perfect for helping to get rid of any pain after exercise