Showing posts with label almonds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label almonds. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2009

Four Foods for More Fat Loss!

"Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food." - Isaiah 55:2

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives some good information on what foods to eat for fat loss. You'll see that many of the points he makes goes along with previous blogs I've written about power foods.

What foods should I eat for maximum fat loss? This is a common question that I get from clients and friends. There is so much new information out there everyday, "X food is now good for you but Y food is now bad."

How can you possibly sort through all the junk science and sensational reporting to truly find out which foods will help you lose weight and which foods won't?

Let me help. Here's a look at foods that you should eat to maximize fat loss. These foods are listed in no particular order because they are all important.
  1. Salmon - While salmon was once demonized by the fitness community in the 90's because of its fat content (I actually saw it in an article about "Foods to Avoid for Fat Loss"), we now know that the long-chain omega-3 fats found in salmon are the best kind. Research has shown that these fats can actually help you burn more fat. Salmon also contains high levels of protein - it really is the perfect package! Look for wild Salmon (not farmed).
  2. Almonds - Almonds are a great fat loss snack. Almonds are extremely convenient, portable and they have a long shelf life. You should keep a small bag of almonds at your desk, in your briefcase, or in your backpack as an emergency weight loss snack. Almonds contain fat, fiber and protein - all of which will help curb your hunger. They are also low in carbohydrates and provide your body with energy while keeping your blood sugar levels under control. Buy them raw not roasted, dry roasted or salted (usually in the baking aisle at the grocery store).
  3. Broccoli - Broccoli is a true superfood. From a health perspective, it contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that have been shown to help fight cancer. There is also some evidence to suggest that other compounds found in broccoli (like Calcium D-glucarate) can bind excess estrogen in the body. It is a low-impact carb with a nice dose of fiber. You can buy it fresh or frozen (broccoli cuts or florets - go with the florets). The bottom line: Eat broccoli often!
  4. Green Tea - Green tea is another powerful food, like broccoli, that will have a huge impact on your fat loss and health. Green tea can be an acquired taste for some people. If you let it steep too long (e.g. leave the tea bag in the water), it can be very bitter. You can drink it hot or cold (if you opt for cold you may need to add a little Splenda, Stevia or Xylitol). Green tea contains cancer-fighting compounds, not to mention antioxidants, caffeine and the fat-burning powerhouse - EGCG. Research has shown that the combination of caffeine and EGCG (which is naturally combined in green tea) can help burn extra fat. Drink 2-3 cups a day.
There you have it. Four time-tested and research-proven foods to help you burn more fat. If you aren't eating (or drinking) all of these foods daily (or at least every few days), then you are not doing everything possible to burn maximum fat. Add them to your diet, get healthier and leaner.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at the Pennsylvania State University. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Benefits of Breakfast

"When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread." - John 21:9

Researchers have found many benefits from eating breakfast and with school underway, now is a perfect time to get into the breakfast habit.

Breakfast Research

Among the recent research:
  • Children who skip breakfast make more errors and are slower to recall facts.
  • Children who eat breakfast solve math problems more quickly.
  • Children who eat breakfast do better on vocabulary tests.
  • Children and adults who eat breakfast are more likely to get the vitamins and other nutrients they need.
  • Adolescents who eat breakfast tend to have a lower body mass index, even if they have one or two obese parents.
  • Adults who eat breakfast eat less calories throughout the day and make better food choices.
  • Adults who eat breakfast lose more weight than those who skip breakfast.

The benefits of breakfast apply to grown-ups when it comes to the research shown above (less errors, better math and vocabulary).

Breakfast Guidance

  • Dinner leftovers don't have to be dinner again. Heat them for breakfast instead.
  • Put together an egg casserole the night before, and slip it into the oven when you get up.
  • Make a smoothie containing one cup of milk, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, 2-3 tablespoons of raw nuts and 1/3 cup fruit (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries) for a quick, delicious and healthy breakfast meal
  • Scramble eggs with various vegetables and cheese or make an omlette.
  • If you decide to have cereal, choose a high-fiber, low-sugar cereal like Fiber One.

Five On-the-Go Ideas

  • Natural peanut butter and banana (or apple) slices on whole-grain toast.
  • Cheese wrapped in a whole-grain tortilla and some fruit.
  • Raw nuts (almonds, walnuts) and fruit (berries) stirred into yogurt.
  • A fruit smoothie blended with milk, cottage cheese and raw nuts (walnuts).
  • Two cheese sticks with a piece of fruit.

These tips should help you get into the habit of eating breakfast consistently. It really is the most important meal of the day!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Stay-Healthy Super Foods!

"You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness."
- Exodus 23:25

God is truly amazing. He designed our food in a perfect way. It nourishes our bodies and prevents disease and illness. Eating the foods God created for us means less chance of having to use man-made medications and prescriptions that have a slew of harmful side effects.

The right foods can protect against stress, insomnia, obesity, diabetes and more. Here are a few stay-healthy super foods and how they can help you:

Beat Stress With...
Sunflower Seeds - A good source of folate, which helps your body produce a pleasure-inducing brain chemical called dopamine.

Get Energized With...
Almonds or Almond Butter - They help stabilize energy levels thanks to a mix of protein and healthy fat.

Fight Insomnia With...
Yogurt - Calcium-rich foods boost levels of seratonin, a calming hormone that promotes sleep.

Get Glowing Skin With...
Blackberries and Raspberries - Antioxidant-rich berries prevent early signs of aging by fighting off free radicals.

Up Your Odds of Getting Pregnant With...
Walnuts - Having more mono-unsaturated fats (found in walnuts) in lieu of saturated and trans fats may help boost fertility.

Burn Fat Faster With...
Chile Peppers - They've got capsaicin, a compound that may kick-start your metabolism.

Pump Up Your Immune System With...
Cantaloupe - Just one cup gives you more than 100 percent of your daily recommendation for vitamin C.

Combat A Headache With...
Kale - Magnesium-rich greens like kale may help you have fewer migranes by fighting inflammation.

These are just a few examples of foods created by God that have many health benefits. If you read the bible closely, you can find all the foods God recommends that we eat. It's amazing how science has recently reported many of the health benefits of various foods even though they have been in the bible and recommended for thousands of years.

It's also unfortunate that man has altered many of the foods that God created making them less healthy for us to eat.

Remember these three principles:
  1. Eat the foods God created for us
  2. Eat foods as close to what God created as possible (stay away from altered and man-made foods)
  3. Don't become addicted to any food

I'll talk more about this in a future blog, as I'm currently finishing a wonderful book that explains in detail the foods God created, which ones we should eat and why we should follow the three above-mentioned principles.