There are certain foods which are proven by scientists to help weight loss. In this article, I will talk about the top 5 health boosters that will help you while losing weight and getting that six pack.
Weight loss need not always be about shunning your favorite foods. Some of the foods that are commonly added to meals and taste great also serve as great weight loss agents. Here are five vegetables and fruits that burn those extra calories quickly and fast track your weight loss regimen.
Tomatoes to burn fat fast
Tomatoes are lycopene rich foods. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that helps prevention of cancer and cardio vascular diseases. This effect of lycopene is more pronounced when taken in processed form instead of fresh tomatoes.
Other than these benefits the weight loss effect of tomatoes is another significant factor that has made it appear in this list of vegetables and fruits. Tomatoes are have minimal calories and fat, but are rich in fiber and nutrients. Thus when you add more of tomatoes to your diet, you can get sated easily while keeping the calorie intake to minimum.
Apples for healthy weight loss
The main weight loss causing ingredient in apple is pectin. Like oranges and tomatoes apples also contain antioxidants. But make sure you eat organic apples to get pesticide free benefits of the fruit.
According to a study in Journal of Food Chemistry, apple has beneficial compounds that help balance the levels of gut bacteria that help in weight loss. The changes caused by intake of apple include reduced chronic inflammation and feeling of satiety resulting in, limiting binge eating.
Other than helping in weight loss apples also help to reduce risk of various conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and high cholesterol.
Carrots for keeping up your fitness routine
Carrots are rich in vitamin A. But it is their fiber content that is important for weight loss. Low in calories and enriched with fiber, carrots are tasty to eat both in raw and cooked form. They are made of fiber and water mostly. So you will feel full and hydrated both of which curb the hunger pangs you feel.
You can take carrots raw in salads or in cooked form in stews, stir fries and soups. When you are restricting the calories to lose your weight, eating foods like carrot helps a lot.
Carrots have plenty of nutrients including Vitamin A, K and C and potassium and iron. If you are not sure about the calories you, you can always use a weight watchers calorie calculator to limit the calories per day.
Oranges to curb your weight gain
Rich in Vitamin C, orange helps to boost immunity. It has beta carotenes, which are anti-oxidants and magnesium, which helps lower high blood pressure.
Whole oranges contain more fiber when compared to juice of orange, which is free of fiber. Thus eating whole fruits will help you feel sated.
While a single orange juice serving packs up to 85 calories, eating a whole medium sized orange will add just 65 calories. This will also pack more volume and fiber.
Why does fiber aid in weight loss? You take more time to consume a fiber rich food. It also takes up more volume in your stomach due to absorption of water. Since fiber foods take more time to empty from the stomach you feel full for a longer period of time.
Moreover with vitamin C from the orange you can lower your body mass as the vitamin C helps burn more fat when you exercise.
Broccoli to bolster your exercise sessions
Broccoli is a fiber rich and minimal calorie food ideal for losing fat. Additionally it has phytochemicals that fight cancer. It also has Vitamin C for boosting immunity. With so many benefits adding broccoli in your daily diet can help boost your weight loss efforts tremendously. Other cruciferous vegetables that provide similar benefits include cauliflower, kale, cabbage etc.
The effects of exercise can be boosted manifold by taking the right type of vegetables and fruits. My pick of five vegetables and fruits are power packed foods that help you keep a check on the calories you consume and also keep you healthy, vibrant and energetic.
