Fat Loss Foods: Some Favorites

It’s that time of the year again! Spring is in the air, and many of you are hastily trying to shed the layer of insulation that grew beneath your sweaters over the winter. The weights and the elliptical may be your new best friends, but if your eating habits aren’t up to par, it will all be for naught.

Your body is, first and foremost, a reflection of your food intake.

You can’t out exercise a poor diet. Believe me, I’ve tried! The secret to success is in proper manipulation of your food intake. Choose the right foods in the right amounts, rinse and repeat. With this in mind, I’m going to share five of my favorite fat loss foods, which I consider essential cogs in the fat loss machine.

1. Free Range Omega-3 Eggs

The incredible edible egg is first on the list. With 70 calories, 6 grams of protein and only one of carbohydrate, the egg is quite the ideal fat loss food. Despite their low calorie content, eggs are quite filling and can be prepared in a variety of ways to avoid the palate fatigue often experienced while dieting. For those of you worried about cholesterol and heart health, a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health found no link between egg consumption and heart disease, instead finding that eating eggs regularly may in fact decrease the risk of stroke, heart attack and blood clots. A study also found that eating two eggs per day had no negative impact on lipid profiles, and may even improve them. As a bonus, eggs are high in lutein, choline, sulphur and vitamin D, and improve ocular health, brain regulation, and decrease the risk of breast cancer.

2. Shiitake Mushrooms

Like eggs, shiitake mushrooms are very low in calories, yet can be quite filling. They also make a great addition to just about any type of dish. Shiitakes are high in selenium, iron, vitamin C, and powerful compounds called lentinan and eritadenine, which have been shown to strengthen the immune system and lower cholesterol. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, but roasting them tossed with fresh garlic and parsley is my favorite.

3. Arugula

Full of vitamin C and potassium, arugula is a delicious, peppery salad green that doesn’t need to be smothered in ranch dressing to taste good. Add a little lemon juice, some grilled chicken and a touch of olive oil and you’ve got a simple, fantastic lunch. Arugula improves blood quality and liver function, and at roughly 6 calories per ounce, you’d be hard pressed to eat too much of it. Organic baby arugula is now available in many grocery stores, if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out!

4. Ezekiel Gluten Free English Muffins

These are one of the few carbohydrate foods I eat while dieting. Made from sprouted seeds or rice, they are quite filling, and have a very low impact on blood sugar. They satisfy bread cravings, but do not contain wheat or flour, so are an all-around superior and tasty health food. Try them with over easy eggs and a bit of salsa.

5. Unsweetened Almond Milk

I grew up drinking a lot of milk, but lactose and dieting don’t go together so well (a cup of milk has 12 grams of sugar). Unsweetened almond milk makes for a good substitution, as it is much lower in both calories and carbohydrates, and tastes great as well. It is a great addition to a protein shake, and can replace milk in most recipes. It is a gluten, cholesterol and lactose free food high in vitamins D, E and A. Be sure to buy the unsweetened variety, which comes in either plain or vanilla.

Wrap Up

Using these foods intelligently can take some of the pain and boredom out of dieting, while still ensuring success. Enjoying food and shrinking your waistline don’t have to be mutually exclusive. A little creativity at the market can go a long way, and these five foods are a great place to start.

Best of luck, and thank you for reading!

Check out my website here: The Iron Lab