Any weight loss program starts with a healthy diet. But finding the
right diet seems daunting for many dieters. The traditional weight loss
diets seem boring, difficult or just don't work. But, besides eating
less, there are actually foods you can add to your weight loss diet that
can actually
help your body burn fat, speed up metabolism and help you
lose weight easier.Avocados are a food that many have considered
to be fattening, probably due to the high fat content! But modern
research has proven that not all fats are created equal. Avocados
contain healthy fats that help you lose weight. They are high in oleic
acid, which studies show help prevent breast cancer. In addition, these
healthy fats are consistently shown in studies to help lower bad
cholesterol while raising good cholesterol.
Along with healthy
fats, avocados are high in glutatihione, which neutralize free radicals
while naturally detoxifying your body. It helps your body repair damage
from stress, pollution, poor diet and even aging. And avocados make a
great weight loss supplement due to not just the fat content, but the
fiber content. This combination helps you feel full and satisfied while
at the same time helping your body regulate blood sugar.
An apple a
day takes pounds away - that's the new slogan for dieters when it comes
to this amazing fruit. Apples contain pectin, a natural fiber that can
help clear waste from the intestinal tract, which helps your body better
regulate weight. The high fiber count helps dieters feel fuller,
sooner. One study showed that eating a cup of apples daily for a year
not only helps with weight loss, but lowered cholesterol and heart
disease markers. Apples also contain an antioxidant called quercetin,
which helps make oxygen more available to your lungs. This means
exercise becomes easier, as shown in one study where quercetin actually
helped bikers have better endurance.
Fish is a food that should be
part of your weight loss diet. Fish is a high protein food that
contains healthy fats called Omega-3's. Protein feeds your muscles and
helps your liver function properly. In case you didn't know, a healthy
liver has a higher capability to burn the bad fats. In addition, protein
feeds your muscles so you lose more fat in the long run. This makes
fish a powerful aid in a healthy weight loss program.
Grass Fed
Beef is an excellent alternative to the grain, hormone and antibiotic
fed beef that you normally find. Grass fed beef contains a higher
quality protein and no saturated fat that is a factor in promoting
plaque buildup in arteries. This natural beef instead contains
Conjugated Linoleic Acid, or CLA, a healthy fat that helps lower bad
cholesterol and has fewer calories than its grain fed counterpart.
Switching to this type of beef can help you naturally cut calories while
adding healthy fats into your diet.
Vegetables are some of the
most important foods for weight loss. I have chose not to pick out one
specific vegetable because the reality is that we all need more in our
daily diets. Getting a well rounded variety will help you get well
rounded nutrition. Vegetables also contain enzymes that stimulate
metabolism as well as vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that your
body needs.
Eat a variety of raw vegetables to stimulate digestion
and raise metabolism. Lightly steamed vegetables are warming and can
complement any main dish or protein. Cooked vegetables in stews and
soups add nutrition and are very warming with the coming winter. Try
filling up on vegetables before any higher fat or unhealthy foods.
No
matter which healthy weight loss diet you choose, keep in mind that it
is an all around effort to lose weight. You need a combination of
proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You have to drink
healthy drinks like fresh water and teas. Exercise should become part of
your lifestyle. And, most importantly, cut out as much of the highly
processed, high fat and junk foods as you can; at least for a while. No
weight loss diet will work as well if you keep eating those types of
foods.
