With an estimated sixty percent of the adult population in the U.S. classified as overweight, weight loss has become big business. There are a wide variety of weight loss products and plans available, many are based on artificial chemicals or unsustainable diets. Medical experts maintain that the most effective method of weight loss is calorie restriction. This leads many people to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of these are superfoods, but are there specific superfoods which could aid your weight loss?
Eating a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and superfoods is the key to good nutrition. This can not only aid in weight loss and management but can also boost your immune system and encourage an increase in your rate of metabolism. This increases the rate at which you burn calories and helps to reduce food cravings. While many people may be tempted to switch to a fruit and vegetable diet to lose weight, there are a number of other superfoods which could be beneficial to your weight loss plans.
Almonds:
Many dieters avoid nuts in general because of the high fat content. However, this can be a mistake. Almonds may contain a high amount of fat but it is mono unsaturated fat. This type of fat has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and can actually help to lower your cholesterol level. Almonds also contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, calcium and magnesium. This means that they can be beneficial to reduce the risk of anemia, constipation, diabetes and psoriasis. This will enable you to feel fitter and healthier, keeping you more motivated to not succumb to the temptation of junk food.
Brown Rice:
Many dieters assume that carbs are terrible for weight loss. However, while refined process carbohydrates are essentially empty calories, healthy carbs can actually be beneficial. Brown rice is a great example. A half a cup contains almost two grams of resistant starch. This has been shown to increase the rate of metabolism, helping you to burn more fat. One serving is just 108 calories but it contains dietary fiber and eighty percent of the recommended daily amount of manganese. This ensures that you feel fuller for longer, with energy obtained from carbohydrates and protein.
Oats:
Oats are considered to be one of the healthiest grains. They contain healthy fats which encourage an increased metabolic rate to burn fat. Oats contain a high level of dietary fiber and protein while remaining low in fat. One cup of oats is only 130 calories, research has shown that regular consumption could lower bad cholesterol levels and stabilize blood sugar levels. This allows you to feel fuller and reduces the risk of sugar cravings compromising your diet.
If you are looking to shed those excess pounds, a diet rich in superfoods can certainly be a great way to achieve your weight loss goal. Just remember that a balanced diet is the key. Don’t overlook certain foods because they contain carbohydrates and fats. These are also essential elements for healthy body function, just be sure to choose the right carbs and fats. The superfoods above can form the basis of a healthy balanced diet, which supplemented with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables should have you achieving a steady and healthy weight loss.
