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.

Back-to-School Health Habits!

"Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother." - Proverbs 15:20

With children returning to school in the next few weeks, it may be hard to keep them from grabbing the burgers, pizza, fries and other snacks in the school cafeteria, even if you pack a nutritious lunch.

Plus, after a long day of school, most kids would rather flop down to play video games than run around playing football or basketball, so it's more difficult to get them moving.

It can be challenging for parents to help their children develop life-long healthy eating and fitness habits, but parents can control how and what their children do during the school day by first fostering healthy habits at home.

Be Creative

Parents who are more creative often are successful at getting their children to eat well. Here are a few ways for parents to become more creative about making kids' diets more nutritious:

• Offer Vegetables at Different Times of the Day or Evening - Dice tomatoes and put them in scrambled eggs.
• Serve Salads with Most Meals - Use dark, leafy lettuce such as romaine with a variety of colorful, crisp vegetables such as celery, zucchini, carrots and bell peppers.
• Keep Super Foods Around - Never run out of carrots, apples, broccoli, almonds or yogurt.
• Watch It - Monitor the amounts of fat, sugar and salt that children consume.
• Include Your Children in the Decision-Making Process - When kids feel involved, they're more likely to try new things, including healthy food. Never give up. Keep trying new foods and repeat past foods to expose your kids to a variety of nutrients.

Pack It Up

Packing a good, healthy lunch doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few tips for packing healthy school lunches:

• Reduce the Carbs - Think of ways to get protein into the lunch instead of just carbohydrates. Add a cheese stick, a small cup of tuna salad with pickles, or sliced meat and veggies in a pita pocket. Provide a cup of natural peanut butter for dipping apple slices.
• Prepare on Sundays - Fill small plastic containers with vanilla yogurt and frozen blueberries or strawberries and freeze them. On school mornings, place them in your child's lunchbox. At lunchtime, it's a cool, healthy treat. Try cups of green beans, peas or carrots, which can also be cooked, packed and frozen on Sundays. Also, pack treats ahead of time.
• Be Creative - On hot days, make a smoothie in the morning and put it in a Thermos. Include sliced cheese or turkey and almonds as a part of lunch. This sort of creative lunch keeps your child interested in the healthy food.
• Provide Fresh, Raw Veggies - Many children will happily eat baby carrots, broccoli heads and red pepper strips with a dash of salt or a healthy dip (yogurt).
• Shop for Your Child's Lunches at a Natural Food Store - This way, you'll know your child's diet will be lower in preservatives, nitrates, additives or unnecessary sugars and salts. And choose organic whenever possible. With the reported positive impact on the immune system, the usually higher cost is an investment in your child's future health.

Keep Them Moving

Children should spend no more than one to two sedentary hours staring at a screen each day. That time includes watching television, playing video games or staring at a computer screen. Unfortunately, most children spend 4-6 hours a day on these activities. Instead, try these tips:

• Have a Plan - Be prepared to offer alternative activities to TV or video games. You might consider family game night, walking the dog, family bike rides or exploring a nearby park.
• Be Active with Your Kids - What kids want more than anything else is time with their parents. To give them that, don't just send them out to play - go play with them. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming or just play tag or hide-and-seek outside.
• Remove the Tube - Don't position your furniture so the TV is the main focus of the room. Remove televisions from bedrooms.
• Plan TV watching in Advance - Go through the TV listings and pick the shows you want to watch. Turn the TV on for those shows and turn it off afterward.
• Practice What You Preach - Your kids won't accept being restricted to two hours of TV, video games or the computer if you are vegging out for hours at a time. The best way to influence your kids' behavior is through example.

Hopefully, these tips will help you and your kids prepare for the school year while staying healthy and fit.