The foods that help shift the pounds
Want to shift a few pounds? While sugary and fatty foods are naturally off limits, there are plenty of foods you should be including in your diet meal plans because they can help you lose weight. Take a look at these...
Apples
An apple a day not only keeps the doctor away but also the unloved fat because of its vitamin C content, and the pectin is a natural appetite suppressant.
Beans
Delicious with lamb, they possess a glycoprotein that lowers blood sugar levels and prevents insulin overload.
Black tea
This boosts the production of energy in your cells, makes you feel wide-awake and decontaminates your body with the help of saponins and manganese.
Blue-green algae
With few calories but plenty of vital nutrients including betacarotene, vitamin B12, iron, and protein, blue-green algae increases the metabolism and boosts the immune system.
Broccoli
Broccoli and all kinds of cabbage contain high levels of vitamin C and mustard oils, which get the fat cells moving. Include them in your diet meal plans several times a week to reap maximum benefit.
Chicory
With only 16 calories per 100g, chicory is a top choice because it has lots of vitamins and minerals.
Citrus fruit
Lemons, grapefruits, oranges and tangerines are natural diet foods. They provide us with lots of vitamin C which is a slimming agent.
Dairy products
These are first-class protein providers. Calcium not only strengthens your bones but also helps get rid of the extra pounds. Include low-fat products such as cottage cheese in your weight-loss diet plan.
Fish
Fat-burning proteins plus vitalising iodine and healthy omega-3 fatty acids (especially in salmon, mackerel and herring) make this an essential diet food.
Lamb
This red meat contains CLA, a fatty acid that makes your fat deposits shrink. Carnitin takes the fat to the muscles for burning. Other meats that benefit slimmers are chicken or turkey breast without skin, rabbit and venison.
Nuts and seeds
They may contain plenty of fat, but it’s the ‘good’ sort, which protects the heart. Vegetable protein and dehydrating magnesium make them valuable in the diet.
Onions
These help lower blood sugar levels, and contain sulphurous acids and allicin which increase the rate of fat burning – making them vital for any weight-loss diet plan.
Peppers
These contain plenty of vitamin C to attack the fat and, as a bonus, serotonin for high spirits!
Pineapple
This is the classic diet food, packed with healthy enzymes. Bromelain splits lipids and minerals boost the metabolism of fats.
Prawns
Oysters and prawns are low in calories and rich in protein. They contain glycines, which act against fat deposits and weak connective tissue, and taurin, which stimulates the production of slimming growth hormones.
Radishes
The vitamin C, enzymes, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron in radishes work wonders on your jelly belly.
Wholemeal bread
Eat only wholemeal bread with whole or crushed grains. The chromium content supports the burning of fat in the muscles. Pure rye bread is also OK, but leave white bread well alone.