Eating to lose weight doesn't have to be bland and tasteless. You don't have to stick to plain chicken and broccoli or cardboard flavoured rice cakes. You don't have to run to specialty health food stores to buy expensive -- and still flavourless -- ingredients. The tools you need to boost your weight loss efforts may already be hiding out in your kitchen! Seriously! And the best part, they taste delicious!
Here, NutriCentre's Elouise Bauskis and Dr Marilyn Glenville, author of The Natural Health Bible for Women, share the 8 common foods that can help you lose weight:
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a powerful little spice. It helps with weight management by stabilizing blood sugar levels. This can help keep you feeling full and prevent powerful cravings for sweets. Cinnamon also helps with digestion by gently warming the stomach, helping your body break down food more efficiently.
2. Chili
Have you ever had a super spicy meal and broke out into a sweat? According to Bauskis, that is called diet-induced thermogenesis. This is good for weight loss because it encourages the body to burn calories instead of storing them. It is the capsaicin in chilis that causes this effect. Studies have shown that chili may also reduce appetite which is great news if you are looking to cut down on your snacking habit.
3. Quinoa
Quinoa is a wonderful substitute for rice or pasta. Many think quinoa is a grain, but it is actually a seed and is fairly low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Quinoa is also alkalising which helps reduce acid levels in the body, promoting better health. Like cinnamon, quinoa is good at balancing your blood sugar. Reducing blood sugar levels can reduce fat storage.
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4. Coffee
Caffeine can boost your metabolism up to 11% which can help you lose weight. Studies have also found that coffee can increase fat burning by 10% in people who are obese and 29% in people who are lean. Of course, this impact will decrease over time as your body adjusts to the caffeine intake. Coffee can also boost your performance during a workout. It releases fatty acids from fat tissues for the body to use as fuel and increases the adrenaline levels in the blood. This amps up your body and makes it ready to move.
5. Green Tea
If coffee isn't your thing, green tea is also great for weight loss. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, the most powerful being EGCG, which is known to boost metabolism. Simply put, the nutrients in green tea increase levels of the hormone that tells your body to release and break down fat. This puts fat into the blood stream, making it an available energy source.
6. Eggs
Eggs are a wonderfully nutritious. The yoke contains lecithin, nutrients and the antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin. Eggs are also a great source of protein. They can make you feel full longer which will prevent you from overeating. Eggs are also known to have a positive effect on your cholesterol levels, boosting your 'good' HDL cholesterol, while decreasing your 'bad' LDL cholesterol.
7. Brown Rice
Brown rice is a better choice than white rice for a whole bunch of reasons. It is more nutritious as it is less refined than white rice, meaning it contains more of its fiber, protein and nutrients.
8. Almonds
Almonds contain a large number of essential vitamins and minerals. Almonds are full of healthy fats and protein which can make you feel fuller, longer which will lead to less snacking and consuming fewer calories over the course of the day. Almonds are another food that is good at balancing blood sugar and they can improve your insulin sensitivity.
Looking to balance your diet for a healthier you? Check out the BodyRock Meal Plan. This plan includes 30 days worth of meals and snacks that are not only delicious but easy to prepare! Each week we will provide you with a detailed grocery list so all you have to do is grab the ingredients and follow along! Let us help you boost your weight loss efforts!
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How many of these foods are in your kitchen cupboards?
Source:
Daily Mail
