Natural weight loss foods

Weight loss foods are the first options that come to mind when we think of losing weight. And rightly so; food is crucial to daily living, and intricately tied to how much we do or do not enjoy our lives. Below is a list of foods that help you lose weight:

Whole grains

Whole grains are less processed than the refined starches we find in most bread and pasta products. Not only does the refining process remove a lot of essential nutrients from the grain, it breaks down the fiber before you eat it. Eating whole grains that make you feel fuller for longer may help raise your metabolism with the effort your body takes to break it down. Opt for wheat, oats, barley and brown rice.

Foods rich in Vitamin C

Apparently 500mg of vitamin C can burn 30-39 percent calories while you exercise. Bet you did not know this tiny fact about vitamin C. Load up on oranges and guavas on your next trip to the market.

Foods rich in Omega 3 

Omega 3 is responsible for controlling inflammation and rebooting metabolism. Mind you, these food products help you shed the kilos only if you combine their consumption with exercise. Besides fish, you can source Omega 3 from flaxseeds, walnuts and eggs.

Drink plenty of water

Water plays an important role for the body's healthy functioning. Water aids digestion, lubricates the body's joints and even makes calorie burning more efficient. Is that why we habitually sip on water after we eat anything? It is a good thing after all.

But does that mean that simply drinking water is enough for weight management? Certainly not. Simply drinking water is not enough. Also, does this mean that you should drink at least eight glasses of water every day? The urine colour is the best test. If it's translucent or has a tinge of yellow, your body is hydrated, if it is bright yellow, drink up. But excess water can lead to water intoxication and hyponatermia, so ensure that you sip one cup at a time at a regular intervals instead of guzzling bottles at a time.


Green tea

While green tea may boost metabolism; this is not enough to make one lose weight fast, unless people complement it with physical workouts and other alternatives.

Spicy food

The heat from the spices can help in burning calories. That doesn't mean that one must cover all curries with chilli powder; you don't want an angry stomach surging up your throat for revenge.

The truth is capsaicin, found in cayenne peppers, leads to short increases in metabolism, which - by itself - is too miniscule to affect long term weight loss. Hence don't count on spices to pump up your metabolism.

Black coffee

Consume at your own risk: Moderate level of black coffee consumption can result in speeding up metabolism for a short period of time. Coffee is quickly absorbed in the blood stream increasing your heart rate and metabolism. Coffee stimulates the production of adrenaline and cortisone; it decreases your chances of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and type 2 diabetes risks. But...

Extra servings of sugar in it, or cream, increases your calories, excess coffee will give you heartburn and digestive problems.

Oatmeal

Oats & oatmeal are considered 'power foods'. Its glycemic index levels (does not increase insulin levels at a go) make it the best option for a healthy diet and an excellent source for fat loss.

The best way to have a heart-healthy wholesome treat is to mix 1 cup of oats, a pinch of cinnamon, ¾ cup of low-fat skimmed milk and 1 tablespoon of honey.

Or to a bowl of oatmeal, add sliced bananas, peaches, chopped nuts of all kinds with raisins and cinnamon for a sweet but nutritious hot cereal.

Vegetables

They are generally low in calories and fat and many contain fiber. Choose dark colored vegetables for the most benefits. Dark green, leafy vegetables should top your list.

Other great vegetables choices include cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and peppers. Choose from a variety of colours for maximum benefits. Potatoes and sweet potatoes contain more starch but work for weight loss too!

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds have the added benefit of protein. They are filling, and also contain healthy fats, which can help boost your metabolism to help you lose weight. Good carbs work even better for weight loss when combined with a protein source. But remember that nuts do contain fat, so keep a tab on your portions.

Quick tip: They are excellent when used as a topping for salads, fruit salads, casseroles and soups.

Low-calorie diet

Low-energy diets or short-spell diets which combine to less than 800 calories a day can have long term benefits, researchers said from Britain-based Robert Gordon University (RBU).

Catherine Rolland, a member of the research team, said: "We have found that long-term benefits such as weight-loss and improvements in cardiovascular risk, respiratory disorders and fertility are achievable with the use of these short-burst, low calorie diets."

Red wine

Not only does red wine top the list with the lowest sugar content and thus low calories, but it also contains resveratol, that super antioxidant able to combat cancer and reduce signs of aging amongst other feats.