Tuesday, May 21, 2013

3 Tips for making weight loss programs heart healthy


One of the most important reasons to kick obesity and achieve a healthy weight is to improve your heart health. Weight gains, yo-yo dieting and eating unhealthy foods all affect our heart health, so why not strive to get a handle on your weight and eat healthier? With the help of healthy weight loss programs and an exercise regime, you can add years to your life. Here are some tips that were shared with us by the medical staff at our favorite clinics for weight loss.

Up your produce consumption. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories, packed with fiber, loaded with nutrients and a key component in the success of all healthy weight loss programs. The fiber helps us feel full longer and suppresses our appetite, while promoting healthy digestion. In addition, the high content of vitamins and minerals provide the body with antioxidants to help us combat the negative effects of free radicals. Add both fruits and vegetables to every meal, whether in a breakfast smoothie, salad, soup, as a side dish or in place of dessert.

Increase your intake of lean protein.
Protein is essential for curbing hunger, but it needs to come from lean sources so that you don’t raise the cholesterol levels in your blood and gain weight. Clinics for weight loss recommend choosing lean, skinless poultry, as well as wild-caught fish like tuna, salmon and mackerel, and any plant proteins, such as beans and lentils, as they are all low in saturated fat. If you opt for red meat, make sure to select grass fed lean cuts and to trim any visible fat. And remember, if you go for fish, you’ll get a good dose of heart-healthy omega-3 fats.

Consume your heart healthy fats
. It’s important to incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, as they help regulate blood cholesterol levels, boost our mood, improve our skin and bolster heart health. Some excellent sources include the fish we mention above, salmon, tuna and mackerel, as well as avocados, olive oil, and nuts like walnuts, cashews and almonds.

image: sharppen.com

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