Superfoods that aid with Weight loss

It is a well known fact that you are what you eat and aside from the “bad” foods, a range of ultimate superfoods have been discovered that are said to aid with nutrition and weight loss on a much higher level than normal. Aptly called superfoods these items are known for their great taste, their very low calories and their anti-oxidant properties. Let’s take a look at ten of the best and see how you can include them into your diet.

1. Cocoa. Yes, we encourage you to eat chocolate. Cocoa, the main ingredient, provides many flavonoids that help preventing cell damage. It’s proved that cocoa powder lowers blood pressure by aiding blood flow. One other benefit of cocoa and chocolate is mood enhancing, of course. Everyone that eats chocolate becomes relaxed and happy because phenylethylamine (found in cocoa) stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. We recommend you to consume only unprocessed cocoa powder and dark chocolate. This way you will eat the lowest amount of calories and gain the biggest benefits from this ultimate superfood.

2. Black Garlic
Black garlic is almost twice as beneficial as white garlic and so it rightly gains its place on our list of the ultimate superfoods. Not only does black garlic not have the same “stinky breath” effect but it is also renowned for its cancer fighting properties and its ability to lower cholesterol. With a sweet caramel-like flavour, black garlic can be added to cookies and cakes as well as more savoury dishes such as fondue and pizza. Yes, black garlic really is that good!

3. Barley is a nutty yet sweet supergrain that is found in a variety of different foods and even drinks – barley water for example. Research has shown that it lowers cholesterol levels which in turn lowers your risk of heart disease. It also contains niacin which is known for its cancer fighting properties and its ability to increase the health of hair and nails. If you want to include barley as one of your superfoods for weight loss try eating it instead of oatmeal, rice or pasta. You could also switch caffeinated drinks for barley water which not only tastes good but it available to purchase in most grocery stores.

4. Mushrooms
Some of the best superfoods are mushrooms. They contribute to our nourishment with many minerals including iodine, selenium and potassium. Idoine helps the thyroid gland to function optimally, selenium diminishes the risk of stroke while potassium helps our body fight the free radicals away. Mushrooms are know to provide excellent cancer preventing benefits as they help healthy cells to divide properly. The best superfood mushrooms are considered the shiitake and the reishi mushrooms.

5. Sprouts
It is believed that young broccoli (three day old sprouts) may actually contain more cancer fighting properties than mature stalks and they also taste a bit better. These ultimate superfoods make great additions to stir fries and stews but surprisingly they can also be added to sandwiches, pizza, jacket potatoes and tacos – with so many uses you have no excuse not to include these superfoods for weight loss into your diet.

6. Chia
These edible seeds are nutty in taste and make a great addition to soups, salads and cereal. They are not that easy to get hold of but most speciality grocery stores should stock them so you can purchase all of your superfoods for weight loss in one go. One tablespoon of chia is said to have as much fibre in it as a whole bowl of oatmeal and when you consider that they also include omega 3, calcium and iron, you will realise why these ultimate superfoods are on our list.

7. Spinach
Spinach is considered by many the supreme superfood. Popeye’s favourite meal should be ours too, because spinach is a big source of numerous vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. More, it has a low caloric contribution. This makes spinach the best superfood for health and weight loss. It provides the highest amount of nutrients per calorie as any other food. Spinach can be eaten both raw, in salads, as well as blanched, steamed or saute.

8. Jicama

Jicama looks a little bit like an albino pomegranate but it is actually a Mexican root vegetable. With a sweet and crunchy taste and texture, jicama makes a great addition to salads and stir fries. It is even possible to mix it with lime juice for a truly nutritional drink. Again, this is something you will need to purchase from a health food store but when you consider that it is one of the top superfoods for weight loss this shouldn’t be much of a problem. Jicama contains a form of stomach flattening fibre which promotes healthy bacteria in your gut. It also contains a high level of vitamin C and is renowned for being able to treat wrinkles.

9. Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast isn’t the same as normal yeast and so you will be best off looking for it in speciality food stores. This is on our list of the best superfoods because it is incredibly tasty and can be used as a substitute for things like parmesan, pasta and even scrambled eggs. Nutritional yeast contains a whopping 9 grams of satiating protein and provides more than your recommended daily allowance of vitamin B which is great for reducing stress levels, boosting energy and lowering your risk of chronic diseases.

10. Kelp
Although kelp wouldn’t win any awards for the best looking super health food it is one of the best superfoods for its anti cancer properties. Known for its help in breast cancer patients, kelp is also thought to be one of the top super foods for weight loss due to its fat blocking properties. If you’re wondering how to fit this into your diet fear not as you can either purchase it in noodle form or in powdered form which can be blended into soups and sauces.

Extra Tips For Weight Loss

A few extra tips that I have found make a great difference when losing weight.

Changing what milk you drink makes a huge difference. If you are used to full fat milk(blue top in UK) , simply change it for semi-skimmed (red top in UK).

It might go without saying, but if you drink tea or coffee with sugar, don't put the sugar in. It may taste strange for the first few cups, but you will be grateful of the difference it makes.
Or you could cheat and add sweetner. The taste is slightly strange compared to sugar, but it doesn't add to your weight.

Instead of frying food, such as fries or sausages, grill them or for fries, put them in a bag with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper and shake the bag. Take the fries out the bag and cook in the oven on a baking try. They come out really crispy but still fluffy inside. Delicious!

The Truth to Weight Loss

There is NO quick healthy solution to losing weight.
The truth can be hard sometimes. Losing weight can sometimes seem impossible too. Losing weight is not easy, it takes will power and hard work.

My hardest thing to cope with when losing weight, was staying away from junk food. My favourite types of food included ice-cream, cheese burgers, chocolate and sweets. I found all the exercising regimes that I came across were far too boring to stick to for any long period of time to notice any difference.

My simple steps to weight loss, are simple because their is no particular regimes or diets you must stick to. However, it does require hard work, determination and will power.

The Steps:

1. Write an honest diary for one week of everything you eat. Including drinks (soda can be a large weight contributor)
2. Don't break your back exercising. I started exercising by jogging on the spot until I became out of breath. Each day, I would jog for 5 minutes. Jog to your favourite song every morning before work. Exercising alone when wanting to lose weight helps reduce the amount of calories being retained by your body. Exercise is also a brilliant way to lift your mood and motivation.
3. Drink water whenever you are thirsty. Keep a bottle in the refridgerator to keep it chilled and more appealing.
4. Read through your diary. Highlight every item of junk food and decide which item is your favourite. Remove these from your diet keeping the favourite as a treat at the end of the week. If your chosen favourite is chocolate, stick to having one small bar at the end of each week. If you completely cut out all junk food, your body will crave it.
5. Eat sensible amounts. Try not to eat on the move. Sit down and enjoy your meal and take time in consuming it. It takes the stomach 20 mins to tell the brain it is full.

By following these simple steps, I managed to trim up and lose a stone in 2 weeks. It is not a quick fix and it will not stop you putting weight back on if you change to your old ways. But, each day with a healthy diet and daily exercising your body will turn into a temple. You will also gain more motivation when you notice that by the end of the first week you will probably be able to jog to 2 songs instead of 1. A sure fire sign of your body losing weight and becoming more healthy.

Above all good luck with your weight loss plan. Please post success stories other other tips you think would help others.