Superfoods
are considered to be superior to ordinary foods because of their high
nutritional content and low fat content. These are the foods that have numerous
phytonutrients and special compounds that can help promote weight loss. However, as is true with all foods recommended to you for any purpose, make sure that it is on your allowed foods list in the Healthy & Active Metabolism program.
1.
Blue Green Algae
Blue Green
Algae is a freeze-dried vegan product that is sold in capsules or a vial. It is
harvested mostly from alpine lakes.
Blue Green
Algae is a whole food. It contains the amino acid-profile of a complete protein
and yet it is a vegan source. It balances blood sugar, lowers blood sugar and
promotes intestinal regularity. This makes it ideal for dieters because they
get all of the nutritional support that they need to sustain them for hours
simply by taking a few capsules or drops.
2. Eggs
Eggs are an
amazing superfood for dieters. Each one has only 70 calories and is filled with
nutrients such as vitamin E, calcium, B vitamins, zinc, iron, selenium,
phosphorus, and iodine. In combination, these vitamins and mineral work
together in your body to build a robust immune system, powerful bones, and
strong muscles, while improving brain function and the health of your eyes. They
also thyroid gland, which helps regulate metabolism and affects weight, needs
iodine in order to function properly.
By providing
the protein your body needs, people who eat them and then increase their
activity through passive or active methods of exercising will boost their
metabolic rate. In this way, eggs can help you lose weight in more than one way
as well as provide building blocks for more muscle.
3. Turkey
 |
| sliced roast turkey |
Although 2
ounces of turkey contains only 110 calories, it is packed with phosphorus,
selenium, B vitamins (including B6 and niacin), and zinc. Iron is important in
red blood cell formation. Having low levels of iron can lower your energy
levels and make you less likely to exercise. Selenium can improve the way your
thyroid works and also works as an antioxidant. In addition to vitamins and
minerals, turkey also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are good fats.
You can eat
turkey hot, cold or in a curry made with health enhancing vegetables and
turmeric based curry.
4.
Chilies
Chili is
actually a term for any pepper that contains the compound capsaicin. Peppers,
such as the cayenne, the jalapeno, and the habanero, all taste hot because of
the capsaicin in them. However, it is also the reason chilies have weight loss
and medicinal benefits.
Chilies
reduce appetite, balance blood sugar and reduce the muscle and joint pain that
could interfere with exercising.
Eating ½ - 1
teaspoon of cayenne pepper each day can help you lose weight. For a kick to get
you awake in the morning, mix together 2 cups tomato juice, ¼ cup lime juice, 1
cup orange juice, 4 dashes Tabasco sauce, and 2 level teaspoons of cayenne pepper.
Pour in a glass and store the extra in the refrigerator.
5.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
contains 11 vitamins and minerals. One teaspoon is a significant source of
manganese and calcium. It can decrease the amount of LDL and triglycerides in
the blood stream, which leads to a reduction in the overall blood stream
cholesterol levels. It also will help you lower your blood pressure and
decrease your risk heart problems.
Cinnamon can
also help with regulating blood glucose levels by increasing muscle mass. Muscle
tissue helps prevent the ups and downs during times of fasting and the times
right after eating. Although this is beneficial for people with diabetes, it is
also good for those who want to lose weight. It prevents cravings and decreases
feelings of hunger.
In the
morning, prepare your plain oatmeal and add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract to it. Chop an apple or a banana and stir into it. Or add
cinnamon and a sprinkle of sugar on top of your waffles instead of syrup. You
can also add it to yogurt.
6.
Dragon Fruit
Dragon Fruit
is the fruit of a cactus and it is grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and
South America, and Israel. Dragon Fruit is a beautiful large round rose-hip
shaped fruit with a pink to red body and green and yellow tendrils on its side.
When opened it reveals flesh studded with hundreds of very small seeds. It is crunchy and tastes like a cross between
a kiwi and a pear.
Dragon fruit
is low in calories and offers numerous nutrients, including Vitamin C,
phosphorus, calcium, and iron. fiber and antioxidants. The average Dragon Fruit
contains about 15 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat. This makes it a very
sustainable choice of dinner for dieters.
It is best
cut in cubes and unearthed from the shell and served raw.
7.
Rambutan
Rambutan
comes from Indonesia and are like a large, apple-sized lychee covered with a
skin with sharp brown spikes. They taste like a cross between a strawberry or a
kiwi.
Rambutan is a
vegan source of iron, supplying 40% of your daily needs as well as magnesium,
manganese, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin and thiamin. I tis excellent
for weight loss as it is so rich in vitamin and minerals and yet so low in
calories. It is high in niacin which
also good for increasing circulation and boosting the body’s ability to
detoxify itself.
The Rambutan
is best eaten raw and quickly as it does not keep for more than a week.
8.
Watermelon
Watermelon
contains about 92 percent water making it ideal for hydration. At the same time
it is a diuretic that cleanses the body of fats and toxins. Watermelon is an
excellent source of Vitamin C, A and betal-carotene. It is also a concentrated source of lycopene,
which has antioxidant properties. It
also helps relieve rheumatic pain that might be keeping you from exercising.
Watermelon
can be eaten raw, frozen as a slush or as part of a smoothie.
9.
Asparagus
Asparagus
only has 4 calories per piece and is devoid of fat and cholesterol. It tastes
salty but has almost no sodium. Asparagus spears are rich potassium, calcium,
iron, fiber, folic acid (needed for healthy blood cells), thiamine, glutathione,
vitamins A, C and K. It is an excellent diuretic
that can help you eliminate toxins from your body.
It is tasty and you can eat a lot of it
without gaining weight. You can eat it steamed, baked or broiled and you can
serve it hot or cold.
10. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is
one of the best foods you can eat if you are insulin resistant. Women who eat
cantaloupe have lower insulin resistance and thus are less likely to gain
weight. This is also a hydrating fruit with plant of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and
carotene.
Cantaloupe is
best served raw and also delicious served up as a smoothie.
For more information about the Healthy & Active Program
please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for
Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at
adrienne@healthy-active.com.
