Sunday, February 2, 2014

3 Surprising Weight Loss Foods

If winter weight has you down and your New Year’s resolutions flew right out the window, then it’s time to re-focus and find new ways to make weight loss more manageable. Often times, it helps to have some tricks up your sleeves to improve your chance of success with medical weight loss programs. A common one is to transform your refrigerator into an arsenal of healthy foods that help you burn fat. Fill it with weight loss products, fruits and veggies, and foods that lower the glycemic index and raise your metabolic rate. Read on for three unique but excellent choices.

1. Watercress. Watercress is an often forgotten about leafy green vegetable. A close relative of arugula, cabbage and mustard greens, watercress is extremely versatile—it can be served as a salad green, steamed, or used in soups and sandwiches. It yields a tasty, peppery flavor and is loaded with an array of powerful antioxidants and important phytonutrients that help detox our systems while boosting energy. It’s an excellent source of zinc, manganese and vitamins A, B, C and K.

2. Coconut Milk. Coconut milk is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), specifically lauric acid, that have been found to raise our metabolic rates and promote weight loss. While it should be consumed in moderation, coconut milk is a great alternative for those on medical weight loss programs because of its high fiber content. It also boasts a bevy of essential vitamins such as C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6, as well as minerals including calcium, iron, sodium, selenium, magnesium and phosphorous. In addition, it is lactose-free so is a good choice for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant.

3. Cactus Pears. Also known as “prickly pears,” these delicious fruits are loaded with antioxidants that yield anti-inflammatory benefits. They are low-calorie and free of saturated fats and cholesterol, and have a high fiber content that fills us up as well as many of the top weight loss products on the market. Cactus pears are delicious eaten raw, grilled, roasted or broiled and also produce delicious juice.

image: 
healthyeating.sfgate.com

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