Super Foods for Weight Loss Part 1

by Waller Jamison

Super foods for weight loss are being discussed everywhere. But what exactly are they and how can they help you lose weight?

Many foods are being claimed as super foods for weight loss, due to the positive effect that they have on our health and their ability to help us shed the pounds. Not all of the foods which have these so-called powers are exotic or expensive, although some are new to us in the West.

Fruits and vegetables have long been recognized as having the ability to assist weight loss, mainly due to their high fiber content which means they help us to feel full. Leafy green vegetables are also full of nutrients, both vitamins and minerals and so should form a major part of you diet, both when losing weight and when maintaining it. They are also the most accessible super foods for weight loss, in terms of availability and price.

Protein is another super-food and it is the food group which will keep your blood sugar levels even for longest, which means you won't get hungry as quickly. Protein also offers staying power, and can boost your metabolism slightly in the process. You have to be careful which proteins you eat, and in what quantity, because like everything, if you eat more than you actually need, you'll end up putting on weight, instead of losing it. So be sure to eat lean meat and poultry without skin. And be careful with cheese as certain types have a very high fat content. It is also possible to find protein from plant sources, which have the advantage of a much lower fat content. You can find protein in soya beans and other soya products, such as tofu, and also in lentils, seeds and nuts. Beans have the added advantage of being full of fiber and so will also help you feel full.

Most of us are used to drinking green tea if we go to a Chinese restaurant, but scientists now believe that there are chemicals in green tea which stimulate the body to burn calories.

Salads, particularly if they contain lots of green vegetables are very low in calories and can fill you up. Just be careful when it comes to dressing - you can use lemon juice or balsamic vinegar as a substitute which will spice up the taste without piling on the calories. Low fat yogurt is a useful source of protein which can help keep hunger at bay if you feel peckish between meals. Make sure you eat the sugar free type, preferably organic with active cultures, which are very good for the health of your digestive system. Omega 3 fatty acids are also important for a healthy heart and are another element in your diet which help keep blood sugar levels even and so aid weight loss. They are found in fish such as salmon, sardines, herrings and mackerel. So be sure to ad these super foods to you diet. Although super foods for weight loss are extremely beneficial additions to your diet, you must remember that they won't work magic and have to be eaten as part of a sensible weight loss program.