TOP 10 FOODS TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT
1. ASPARAGUS… To reduce water retention
Did you know that Hollywood starlets love this gorgeous green?
It has proven diuretic and bloat busting properties. The secret ingredients behind asparagus’ water retention reducing properties include the potassium and the diuretic amino acid asparagine (the characteristic smell observed in the urine after a consumption of asparagus is caused by metabolic byproducts of asparagine). What’s more, asparagus contains inulin, a natural dietary fiber that promotes the proper functioning of the gut and that is a popular a weight loss aid in Hollywood.
Asparagus is also one of the best anti-wrinkle foods. Scientific evidence shows that people who include asparagus in their diet have fewer wrinkles than people who do not eat asparagus. This is not surprising considering that asparagus is at the top of the list of foods with the highest concentration of glutathione (349 nM glutathione/g wet weight). Glutathione is a strong antioxidant that has gained the spotlight in recent years and that has been revered as the “master antioxidant”. Asparagus also contains a wealth of other antioxidant compounds, including beta-carotene, vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine. A winner for antioxidant & anti-inflammatory properties!
Try adding this to your weekly menu to stay beautiful inside and out!
Recipes to try:
Warm Mushroom & Asparagus Super Immune Boosting Salad with enerjiVe™ protein crisp topper!
Asparagus Cucumber Shrimp Salad
2. AVOCADOS…. A Natural Appetite Reducer
If you followed the low fat craze you probably stayed away from avocados due to their calories and fat content compared to other fruits, however consuming these deliciously rich creamy green fruits in moderation can offer great benefits to people who want to lose weight. Research suggests that the oleic acid found in avocados (and a few other foods) could help naturally curb appetite and thus contribute to weight loss. In animal studies scientists found that oleic acid is converted into OEA (oleoylethanolamide) in the small intestine. OEA, which is a type of fatty lipid hormone, activates a brain area that increases the feeling of satiety and fullness. Only unsaturated fats containing oleic acid are believed to control appetite in this way. It’s true that they’re also high in fat, but it’s the heart-healthy monounsaturated kind. And half an avocado has just 153 calories.
Recipes to try:
Grilled Salmon with Avocado Pepper Salsa … bonus a libido booster too!
3. MUSHROOMS… A calorie & fat- saving swap for beef
An easy way to keep your calories and saturated fat content down? Use mushrooms in dishes that call for ground beef. According to research published in the journal Appetite, if people opted for a grilled portobello mushroom every time they reach for a burger, over the course of a year, they would save more than 18,000 calories and almost 3,000 grams of fat. That, by the way, is the equivalent of 30 sticks of butter. In the Appetite study, people were given dishes, like lasagna, chili or sloppy joes made with mushrooms one week, and made with beef the next. Participants rated the meatless meals just as tasty and filling as the beef ones. Plus, it’s a great way to ease antioxidant-rich veggies into your kids’ meals. Research shows that some types of mushrooms, like cremini and portobello, have just as many good-for-you chemicals in them as brightly colored vegetables do. White button mushrooms are no slouches either; while we do not know the implications in humans, scientists at Tufts University found that these ordinary guys help fortify the cells of the immune system. Keep in mind that you still need to boost your protein as mushrooms have 3 grams of protein per 100 grams vs the 20-30 grams found in the same weight of meat. So add lean protein like enerjiVe™ protein pastas to boost your protein and make a complete dinner option.
Recipes to try:
Mushroom tarragon protein noodles
Warm Mushroom & Asparagus Super Immune Boosting Salad with enerjiVe™ protein crisp topper!
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