20 Superfoods for Weightloss - Part 1

For anyone who is trying to shed some unwanted pounds, remember that the best recipe for success is a combination of physical activity (30%) and diet (70%).  Those percentages are for a average day.  With that said, it is very important that the food you are putting into your body is not sabotaging your weight-lost goals as there is a lot of garbage disguised as food out in our Local Markets.  Here are some tried and tested foods that will help guide you towards a leaner body.    

Apples

An apple a day can keep weight gain at bay. People who chomped an apple before a pasta meal ate fewer calories overall than those who had a different snack. Plus, the antioxidants in apples may help prevent metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by excess belly fat or an "apple shape."
Apples are the ideal on-the-go low-calorie snack. 

Steak

Beef has a rep as a diet buster, but eating it may help you peel off pounds.  Word of advice, slice off as much of the fat off the meat before cooking.

Eggs

Dig in to eggs, yolks and all: They won't harm your heart, but they can help you trim inches.
Omelets and scrambles are obvious choices for snacks. 

Kale

This green leaf has been all the rave lately. One raw chopped cup contains 34 calories and about 1.3 grams of fiber, as well as a hearty helping of iron and calcium.  Great in mixed salads or smoothies.
 

Oats

All oats are healthful, but the steel-cut and rolled varieties (which are minimally processed) have up to 5 grams of fiber per serving, making them the most filling choice. Instant oats contain 3 to 4 grams per serving.

Lentils

Lentils are a bona-fide belly flattener. Eating them helps prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.  Because they're high in protein, they make a great alternative to meat.  There are many varieties of lentils, most common are brown, green, yellow and red.  Red and yellow cook the fastest (in about 15 to 20 minutes). 

Goji berries

These chewy, tart berries have a hunger-curbing edge over other fruit: 18 amino acids, which make them a surprising source of protein. Snack on them mid-afternoon to stay satisfied until dinner. The calorie cost? Only 35 per tablespoon.  Try mixing 1/4 cup of the dried berries (from health food stores) with 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup walnuts for a nourishing trail mix.  Can also be used as toppings for salads or desserts.

Salmon

Not only do fish fats keep your heart healthy, but they shrink your waist, too. Omega-3 fatty acids improve insulin sensitivity—which helps build muscle and decrease belly fat. And the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns. Opt for wild salmon (if the budget allows for it) - it may contain fewer pollutants.

Buckwheat pasta

Swap plain noodles for this hearty variety. Buckwheat is high in fiber and, unlike most carbs, contains protein, so it's harder to overeat buckwheat pasta than the regular stuff.  For a light meal, toss cooked buckwheat pasta with broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and onions.

Blueberries

All berries are good for you, but those with a blue hue are among the best of the bunch. They have the highest antioxidant level of all commonly consumed fruit. They also deliver 3.6 grams of fiber per cup.  Instead of topping your cereal with fruit, fill your bowl with blueberries, then sprinkle cereal on top and add milk or yogurt.

Part 2 coming soon...