Eat These 8 Veggies to Accelerate Fat Loss
Of course, it goes
without saying that you should get your carbohydrates from whole foods, not
refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup or processed food.
Obviously, if you have
to choose between a carrot and a bag of chips, the carrot should always win out.
Vegetables are nutrient-dense, meaning they provide a big bang for their
‘buck.’ They are delicious, nutritious and low calorie.
However, what about
variation between vegetables; are some vegetables better for weight loss than
others?
The answer is yes, and
it somewhat depends on whether or not you are insulin resistant and partly on
what your body chemistry is like. Some people have a higher tolerance for
high-sugar vegetables than others.
If you have a lot of
weight to lose or know that you have trouble with insulin resistance, it is
best to stick to low-sugar, high nutrient vegetables. Here are eight great ones
to consider:
Salad
Greens: These include all leafy greens you use to
make a salad. According to the American Dietetic Association, salad greens are
basically “free” foods, meaning you can eat as much as you desire. They have
less than 20 calories, plenty of healthy vitamins and fewer than 5 grams of
carbs per one-cup serving.
Peppers: Peppers range from mild and sweet to fiery hot and
everything in between. All forms of peppers are excellent for weight loss and
weight management. Peppers are one of the richest sources of vitamin C, which
boosts immune system function and assists in the assimilation of other
nutrients. This low calorie food contains only 15 calories per serving (1/2
cup), and 1 gram of fiber.
Sweet
Potatoes: Although sweet potatoes
are higher is sugar than some other vegetables, they are jam-packed with
nutrients. A 4-oz potato contains only 80 calories, has 3 grams of fiber and is
one of the best sources of potassium. These tasty potatoes also contain vitamin
C and vitamin A.
Tomatoes: One cup of cherry tomatoes contains only 25 calories, but
has 2 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. The biggest health bonus of
tomatoes is that they are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid which is highly
beneficial for cancer prevention, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Portabella
Mushrooms: These large and tasty
mushrooms are packed with health promoting compounds. Perfect for marinating
and tossing on the grill, portabellas contain copper, riboflavin, niacin,
copper, phosphorus, thiamin and pantothenic acid.
Spinach:
Popeye was right when he said to eat your
spinach. One of the least sugary vegetables, spinach has only 10 calories per
one cup serving, and plenty of fiber. Enjoy spinach as part of salad, or
lightly steamed. Some people even put a handful in their smoothies or juices.
Cabbage: Cabbage is a low calorie, high nutrient blood cleanser that
removes free radicals and uric acid, which can lead to arthritic pain, skin
diseases and gout. Cabbage is excellent roughage, high in vitamin C, and also
contains beneficial iodine. Iodine is necessary for proper brain, endocrine and
nervous system functioning.
If your goal is weight
loss, don’t fall for the “fake” packaged diet foods that are full of artificial
fillers and processed ingredients. Choose instead to fill up on vegetables.
According to Mark
Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint, 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrates
from healthy sources such as vegetables, fruits and certified raw or organic
sources will promote a gradual weight loss of 2 pounds each week. Because they
are so low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, your body will thank
you for including them in your diet every day!
Remember, the best
choice is always local and organic!
-The Alternative Daily
No comments:
Post a Comment