Superfoods for weight loss programs

photo source: time-inc.net

You probably know that eating low calorie foods help us lose weight, but do you know which foods also provide the proper nutrition? In order to stay healthy when following diets or weight loss programs, it’s very important to consume enough vitamins and minerals. Decreasing calorie count doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on nutrition. Work some of the foods below into your meal plan to get the most nutrients out of every dish.

Shrimp. With less than 100 calories per serving and no fat, shrimp is the ultimate food for weight loss programs. It’s loaded with protein and antioxidants, as well as vitamin D and selenium, which has been shown to help combat cancerous cells. Many people are under the impression that shrimp is not healthy because of its high cholesterol content, but it’s actually the “healthy” cholesterol that your body needs, rather than LDL cholesterol.

Dark chocolate. Patients of our weight loss centers are always thrilled to discover that small servings of dark chocolate can be factored into the meal plans of most diets and easy weight loss programs. The antioxidant flavonoids that dark chocolate contain can help decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease while preventing clogged arteries.

Eating chocolate releases serotonin, a chemical in our brains that can improve moods—what better way to have success with diets or easy weight loss programs than to be happy about following them? In addition, studies have shown that flavonoids may help to reduce blood pressure. We knew there was a reason why many weight loss products like protein bars and smoothies are made with dark chocolate!

Cherries.  New studies show that the levels of anthocyanins in tart cherries can lower blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol, and reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cherries pack the power of weight loss products—they reduce the body’s ability to store fat in the liver and can satiate a sweet tooth. In addition, cherries have been shown to help the body recover from injury and workouts faster.

Tomatoes. Weight loss centers recommend both red and orange tomatoes because they are packed with the antioxidants lycopene, niacin, folate and vitamin B6, which help to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration and cancer. They also have significant anti-inflammatory benefits that make them critical to anti-aging efforts. Their high concentration of antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A work to combat the damage caused by free radicals and help ward off diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Weight loss clinics recommend adopting Fruit & Vegetables Month

There are a few days left in September, which means that people who are following diets and weight loss programs can still benefit from adopting new habits inspired by National Fruit and Vegetables month. While weight loss clinics recommend increasing your consumption of this food group all year long, it’s a great time to motivate yourself to actually do it. 

photo source: fitsugar.com

Have you made any changes this month in honor of this month long “holiday?” If not, there’s still time! There is no better way to maximize the nutrients you get from the foods you consume than to eat more fruits and vegetables. Here are ideas that patients of our weight loss clinics shared with us:

Add fruit to everything you can think of. Make it a habit to include your favorites to as many of your meals as possible. Cereal and oatmeal are no-brainers, but also try adding fruit to Greek yogurt, pancakes, French toast, salads and casseroles that can benefit from some natural sweetness. You can even add fruit to products for weight loss such as protein shakes and smoothies.

Ditto for veggies. Add vegetables to soups, casseroles, poultry dishes and pizzas.

Pre-slice and dice it for snacking. There’s a reason people reach for pre-made snacks and products for weight loss when they’re on the go—convenience. Slice up fruits and veggies at the beginning of the week and store them in freezer safe containers and sandwich bags so you can grab them and take them with you on your way out the door.

Sandwich your fruit and vegetables. Add some flair to sandwiches (on whole grain bread or pita, of course) by adding interesting choices like apples, pears, sliced pineapple, cucumbers, mushrooms, pepper and tomatoes. In fact, throw that all together for a meal on its own. 

Individuals following diets or weight loss programs  can truly benefit by taking National Fruits and Vegetables month seriously. There is no better way to take in the soluble fiber, which is key for weight loss, as well as the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that improve your health.

What weight loss clinics recommend for Healthy Aging Month

photo source:

September is officially Healthy Aging Month, which is a great time to re-evaluate your current health, fitness and grooming regimens to ensure you’re doing everything possible to promote healthy aging.  Our weight loss clinics recommend taking this time to really analyze your current eating habits and assess your weight, as well as your fitness levels, to make sure you’re on the right path to aging in the healthiest manner possible.

If obesity or weight gain is a concern, then there is no better time to get started with one of our easy weight loss programs. Obesity and yo-yo dieting can put you at risk for an array of chronic illnesses and diseases, ranging from strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure and blood circulatory problems to heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

Many clients adopt easy weight loss programs because of the negative effect obesity can have on self-esteem and confidence. In addition to the social effects of obesity, it also puts you at risk for mental health problems—many studies show that depression and anxiety rates are higher in overweight people than in those who are not. Those issues, coupled with all the physical risks, are all great reasons to start eating healthier and use products for weight loss to assist with the overall process.

Our weight loss clinics strongly recommend that our patients increase physical activity to boost weight loss efforts, but also to promote healthy aging. Research indicates that older adults who exercise regularly are 60 percent less likely to suffer from dementia. In addition to the calorie burn, working out increases oxygen delivered to the brain, stimulates endorphins and releases a protein that strengthens cells and neurons. Plus, when you take an exercise class with any type of choreography—not necessarily dance, it could be martial arts or aerobics—it helps to work out your memory skills and enhance your cerebral activity. 

Why not take this month to incorporate some foods and products for weight loss that help promote healthy aging? Our medical weight loss centers recommend increasing your consumption of produce for their antioxidant superpowers, protein for building lean muscle mass, fiber-rich whole grains to keep you full longer, and foods with a high content of Omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, nuts and tuna. These foods will improve your health, help you lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, and boost your weight loss efforts.

Boost weight loss programs with meatless Mondays

photo source: sideofsneakers.com

A very popular way to enhance efforts with weight loss programs and diets is to adopt a favorite among many—Meatless Mondays. It doesn’t matter whether you have any interest whatsoever in becoming a vegan or vegetarian—it’s just a great way to boost your intake of fiber-packed fruits, vegetables and legumes, which are all highly recommended by medical weight loss centers nationwide as part of a healthy, balanced diet.  

If you’re not a big fan of your greens, sneak them into your meal plan, especially on meatless Mondays. Many weight loss clinics recommend juicing as part of healthy diet or a way to ensure you’re getting proper nutrition when following weight loss programs. It’s an easy and refreshing way to get greens that you may not normally eat, such as kale, spinach, dandelion greens or cucumber. 

An easy and delicious method for incorporating your veggies is to sneak them into soups, casseroles and sandwiches. Many clients of our medical weight loss centers rave about how much more filling and tasty a soup becomes when fresh vegetables are added to it. 

Try adding lentils to your salad for a filling boost of fiber and protein that will help stave off hunger for hours. Beans and other legumes are also an interesting item to include in sandwiches and salads to add nutritious volume. 

Some patients of our weight loss clinics mask the taste of some greens by mixing them with berries and Greek yogurt. Another favorite meal idea from our patients is to puree fresh veggies such as squash, beets, broccoli and carrots into a fresh soup that doesn’t include all the sodium that many canned soups contain. 

Another stealth and creative way to get your vegetable fix is to puree fruits or vegetables such as sweet potatoes, apples, pears or bananas and fold the mixture into your favorite low-fat, low-sugar recipes for muffins, low-carb multigrain breads and other baked goods.

Easy weight loss programs for fall

photo source: thisiswhatieatvegan.com

Summer is almost over, and while it can inspire a more active lifestyle, you may also be reeling from some of the after effects of vacations, summer barbecues and parties, lazy days, and of course, seasonal weddings. While some people do their best in summer due to lots of outdoor activities and pressure to show more skin, others may falter. Now that fall is around the corner, you may be ready to start a diet or follow one of the easy weight loss programs available to you. 

Instead of indulging from now through the holidays and hitting one of our clinics for weight loss in January with the crowds of New Years’ resolution-makers, why not take advantage of the present? Fall is traditionally a time when the kids go back to school and everyone’s routines get more structured—which makes it an ideal time to get started on any of our easy weight loss programs. Plus, if you do have children who are heading back to school, you may have a little more time to focus on yourself and getting healthier.

Now is the time to establish a new routine so you can make time to prepare healthy meals and snacks in advance and schedule time for workouts and physical activities. Healthy fall produce offers a plethora of meal options that are strongly recommended by the staff at our clinics for weight loss.

Hit up your local farmers’ market to take advantage of the freshest fruits and vegetables you can get. Apples are extremely healthy and beneficial for weight loss as they are packed with soluble fiber and pectin, an ingredient often found in weight loss products. Add them to a chicken salad or grill them with cinnamon as a delicious dessert. 

Pumpkin is another excellent example of fall produce. It’s fiber-rich and packed with vitamins A, C, K and E, as well as antioxidant carotenoids, such as alpha and betacarotene. Pumpkin is also an excellent source of iron, potassium and magnesium. Don’t wait for Thanksgiving—try pumpkin soup, smoothies and roast the seeds for a delicious snack. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with fiber and renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties—in fact, they are are so good for you and your diet, they should be one of our weight loss products!