Part II: Introduce ‘Weight Shifters’
Foods For Weight Loss
One Natural Weight Loss Tip At A Time
Part I: Eliminate ‘Weight Gainers’ | Part II: Introduce ‘Weight Shifters’
In this section we’re going to look at foods for weight loss among a couple of other things which also help to shed those pounds.
I have broken it down into one natural weight loss tip at a time and give you an explanation of why it’s important to introduce these ‘weight shifters’ into your daily routine.
You also need to know which foods to eliminate which are hidden ‘weight gainers’ which is why you are probably finding it hard to lose weight. So of you haven’t read Part I yet ‘Eliminate Weight Gainers’, then pop over there now and read that too.
So when you read Part I, you’ll know which foods to eliminate or to cut right back on and now we can look at which foods to eat to lose weight effectively.
Natural Weight Loss Tips
Introduce ‘Weight Shifters’ into Your Daily Diet
1) Foods For Weight Loss: Superfoods
What is a superfood? A superfood is a term which describes food with a high-dosage of nutrients which can give health benefits when eaten.
Superfoods are very satisfying for the appetite and are very low in calories. You should aim to fill at least 1/3 of your plate with superfoods and make them your first choice as a snack between meals.
You’ll naturally limit your energy intake without counting a single calorie, and you’ll be enjoying a really healthy diet, making your weight loss very easy and manageable.
All fruits and vegetables are superfoods so eat them as freely as you like. Be imaginative at meal times and enjoy different variations of salads, fruit salads and curried, boiled and steamed vegetables.
You should NEVER be hungry as you can always have a piece of fruit or some crudites as a snack.
2) Foods For Weight Loss: Going Raw
I have a whole section of raw food health, but it’s worth mentioning again here. Eating at least 60% of raw food in your daily diet is the best way to go for super-fast weight loss and as an anti aging mechanism. Eating raw food doesn’t promote that it’s a fast weight loss diet plan, but it is!
Don’t be putt off about eating raw food, it isn’t as bad as it sounds! For example, you could have a fruit smoothie for breakfast, a crispy salad or fruit salad for lunch and a chicken & vegetable curry for dinner with pieces of fruit as snacks throughout the day.
There, now that doesn’t sound bad at all now does it!
3) Foods For Weight Loss: Good Fats
In Part I we talked about bad fats, here I’m going to briefly mention why you need to consume good fats and how they will accelerate your weight loss.
Too much fat is harmful but some fat is essential. Think of it this way, every cell in your body is protected by a membrane that is composed largely of fat – even your brain is 60% fat!
Therefore, our body craves for fat especially if you on a high carbohydrate, low-fat diet. However, if you eat the right fats you’ll end fat cravings, feel full for longer have more energy and lose weight.
The two most important types of fat are Omega 3 and Omega 6.
Omega-3 can be found in:
- Cold-water fish such as tuna, cod and salmon;
- Oils such as flaxseed, hemp seeds and walnuts; and
- Soy beans, wheat germ, sprouts, sea vegetables and leafy greens.
Omea-3 helps raise your metabolism, lower your triglyceride levels and help flush water from your kidneys. Studies in animals have shown that omega-3 fats help prevent the development of excessive numbers of fat cells when the fatty acids are consumed early in life.
Omega-6 can be found in:
Sunflower oil;
Corn oil; and
Unprocessed safflower.
Omega-6 oils stimulates your thyroid gland, hence raising your metabolism and activates your brown adipose tissue (BAT) to burn fat rather than storing it in your white adipose tissue (WAT).
So as you can see, these are essential oils for health reasons, but they also accelerate weight loss by burning fat and raising your metabolism!
4) Foods For Weight Loss: Protein
Protein is needed for the formation, growth and repair of body cells. It forms part of the restructure of every cell in your body, including hair, nails and skin. Your body can’t store protein so it must be supplied on a daily basis from the foods you eat.
Remember in Part I that I mentioned that your liver is your biggest fat-burning machine? Well, daily protein is important to your liver’s function and health. Would you believe that protein can actually raise your metabolism by 25%! Protein also activates the production of enzymes needed during detoxification to break down toxins into water-soluble substances for excretion.
Protein provides amino acids and other essential vitamins and minerals and it gives the feeling of fullness for longer which staves of hunger.
Protein comes in the form of poultry, meat, eggs, cheese, beans, and pulses.
5) Foods For Weight Loss: Water
Water plays a very important part of the functioning of your body but does it do any good for weight loss? Well water certainly doesn’t burn fat, but drinking enough water can help you lose weight indirectly.
It helps by aiding your kidneys to flush out toxins, waste and fat from your body and if you drink iced cold water, this can help speed up your metabolism. But did you know that water helps get rid of water retention?
Yes, if you drink enough water it helps move and flush out the water that is unnecessarily lying around in your body. I would also recommend that you try hot water and lemon juice. It’s surprisingly a very refreshing drink and the lemon boosts your kidneys further with the lemon’s diuretic action.
6) Foods For Weight Loss: Sleep
So the last two aren’t foods but they do play an important role in weight loss. Going to bed and rising is essential for the body’s functions such as your hormone levels, metabolic rates, blood sugar levels, potassium levels, immune functions and your body temperature.
You have your natural biological clock and if your lifestyle isn’t in tune with it then your overall health will suffer – including weight loss. According to research and statistics, poor sleepers consume approximately 15% more food than people who sleep well.
If you don’t get enough sleep, you will be tired throughout the day and will likely grab ‘comfort’ foods which are high in carbohydrates and sugar to give you an ‘energy boost’. Your body will begin to store fat as it will take the fatigue as a signal that a crisis might be going on.
Aim for at about 8 hours sleep each night and let your body rest to restore itself ready for the next morning ahead.
7) Foods For Weight Loss: Exercise
You should incorporate some moderate exercise several times per week. Exercise is good for many reasons including to help burn calories, reduce stress, increase muscle tone, heightens endurance, and flexibility.
You don’t need to do strenuous exercise, just light moderate exercise is enough to do the job properly. This could be as simple as going for long walks or taking a half hour swim. All your aiming to do it to make your heart beat rise a little and to get a little sweat on your forehead.
This is enough to release the hormone ‘endorphin’ which gives you that ‘feel good factor. This is why it’s important to do regular exercise to relieve stress and help treat depression.
There’s no need to go searching for a list of weight loss programs, simply follow the advice here and you’ll naturally lose weight and have great looking skin at the same time.
