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| 1. Grapefruit: The
grapefruit diet is not a myth. Researchers at Scripps Clinic
found that participants who ate half a grapefruit with each meal
in a 12-week period lost an average of 3.6 pounds.
The study indicates that
the unique chemical properties in this vitamin C-packed citrus
fruit reduce insulin levels, which promotes weight loss. |
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2. Lean Turkey: Rev up your
fat-burning engine with this bodybuilder favorite. Studies have
shown that protein can help boost your metabolism and build lean
muscle tissue, so that you burn more calories.
A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless lean turkey breast has
120 calories, 26 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat. |
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3. Oatmeal: This
heart-healthy favorite is great because it's a good source of
cholesterol-fighting, fat-soluble fiber that keeps you full and
gives you with the energy you need to make the most of your
workouts.
Be sure to choose steel cut or rolled oats, not instant oatmeal,
to get your full dose of nutrients. |
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4. Broccoli: Study after
study links calcium and weight loss. Broccoli is not only high
in calcium but it's also loaded with vitamin C, which boosts
calcium absorption.
This member of the nutritious cabbage family also has plenty of
vitamin A, folate and fiber. Plus, it contains powerful
phytochemicals that protect against disease. |
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5. Green Tea: Studies show
that green tea extract boosts metabolism and may aid in weight
loss. This mood-enhancing tea has also been reported to contain
anti-cancer properties and help prevent heart disease.
It's also a trendy drink among weight-conscious celebrities. |
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6. Soup: Eat less and burn
fat faster by having a bowl of soup. According to a Penn State
University study, soup is a super appetite suppressant because
it's made up of a hunger-satisfying combination of liquids and
solids.
In the study, women were given the choice of one of three
270-calorie snacks before eating lunch. Women who had chicken
and rice soup as a snack consumed an average of 100 fewer
calories than those in the study who opted for a chicken and
rice casserole or the casserole and a glass of water. |
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7. Low-Fat Yogurt: Dairy
products can boost weight-loss efforts, according to a study in
Obesity Research.
People on a reduced-calorie diet who included 3-4 servings of
dairy foods lost significantly more weight than those who ate a
low-dairy diet containing the same number of calories.
Low-fat yogurt is a rich source of weight-loss-friendly calcium,
providing about 450 mg (about half the recommended daily
allowance for women ages 19-50) per 8-ounce serving, as well as
12 grams of protein. |
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8. Apples and Pears:
Overweight women who ate the equivalent of three small apples or
pears a day lost more weight on a low-calorie diet than women
who didn't, according to State University of Rio de Janeiro
researchers.
So, next time you need to satisfy a sugar craving, reach for
this high-fiber snack. You'll feel full longer and eat less.
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9. Hot Peppers: Eating hot
peppers can speed up your metabolism and cool your cravings,
researchers at Laval University in Canada found.
Here's why: capsaicin (a chemical found in jalapeño and cayenne
peppers) temporarily stimulates your body to release more stress
hormones, which speeds up your metabolism. |
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10. Water: A recent study
seems to indicate that drinking water actually speeds up weight
loss. Researchers in Germany found that subjects of the study
increased their metabolic rates (the rate at which calories are
burned) by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of
water.
Water is also a natural appetite suppressant that banishes bloat
as it flushes out sodium and toxins. Drinking enough water will
also help keep you from mistaking thirst for hunger. So drink
up! |
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