A healthy diet for weight loss is not living off minimal food, it’s about understanding nutrition, what your body needs and how to ensure you’re getting your intake of essential vitamins and nutrients. At the end of the day, the key to fitness isn’t a magical cure or pill, its exercise and healthy eating. Try and avoid it, or take a fast route and it’s likely you could end up very ill and with further health problems.
You don’t need to be Jamie Oliver to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. All of these foods can be picked up in the supermarket and easily incorporated into your diet, not only will they provide your body with the vital elements it needs but it will also boost your energy levels considerably!
Salmon
Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna have great benefits for your health. They’re packed with omega-3 which is important for regulating your cholesterol levels and maintaining a healthy heart. You should try and add oily fish into your diet at least twice a week.
Brown Rice
If you’re still using white rice then ditch it immediately! Brown rice carries far more benefits. For starters it’s rich in selenium which reduces the risk of illnesses such as cancer, arthritis and heart disease. If that’s not enough then it’s also high in manganese and promotes healthy weight loss by aiding digestion.
Blueberries
Rich in natural antioxidants, blueberries are small but mighty! They’re also delicious which makes life much easier, eat on their own as a snack or sprinkle on top of a yogurt or bowl of porridge for a health kick.
Garlic
Garlic can help your body in many ways! Not only does it lower the risk of heart disease, it can also lower your blood pressure levels and fight off common colds. Not bad huh? Add garlic to pasta, chilli, dips and homemade dressing!
Green Tea
A powerful antioxidant, green tea is fantastic if you want to lose a few pounds. Switch from your normal everyday breakfast tea and reap the benefits of this fat burning liquid. It has also been suggested that the antioxidants in green tea may even lower your risk of various different types of cancer.
Oranges
These zesty little fruits are handy for breaking down fat. Rich in vitamin C and fibre, this promotes the production of carnitine which can oxidize the fatty acids in your stomach thus breaking down fats! They can also curb your sugar cravings, ditch the chocolate and stock up on oranges!
Yoghurt
You might be surprised at this one but yoghurt is actually very high in protein! Start your day with natural low fat yogurt with a drizzle of honey and a few of those punchy blueberries sprinkled on top for a super healthy start to the day.
Avocado
Don’t let the fat content put you off these little gems, its healthy fats that will help maintain a healthy heart. Avocado’s have a lovely creamy texture and are perfect for whizzing up to make a healthy guacamole dip! Try avocado on ryvita for a healthy lunch or snack.
Kale
There’s been a lot of buzz around kale lately in the media and on social media, but it’s not hard to see why! It’s low in calories and contains 2.3 grams of fibre (based on 1 cup), it also helps to boost your calcium and iron levels, so get stocking up on the green stuff! If you don’t enjoy the taste of kale as it can be slightly bitter, then try adding it to a delicious homemade smoothie instead.
Goji Berries
Always defeated by that mid-afternoon snack? Goji berries a great option for a healthy fix at your desk. They contain a whopping 18 amino acids which mean they’re a fantastic source of iron which will result in increased energy levels and protein for your body. Eat on their own or sprinkle over some low fat yoghurt.
Lemon Water
And last but not least, lemon water! This is a late entry as I actually came across this article from wellbeing centre the DVCC, regarding lemon water as a ‘fat loss potion’. As you can imagine, I was intrigued! As it turns out, lemons are great for stimulating your metabolism and detoxification process. Due to their level of antioxidants they help reduce inflammation, whilst their fibres allow the liver to eliminate unwanted toxins and waste from the body. Lemon water tomorrow morning it is!
These foods will help you on your journey to a healthy, fitter you but don’t forget it’s not just ALL about diet when it comes to fitness and weight loss. A solid exercise routine should accompany your healthy food choices to get the best results possible!
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