Dieting The Right Way

   
     A lot of people struggle to lose weight because they are unsure what foods to eat and what foods not to eat. Well, i'm here to help and after reading this you'll have the right idea of how to shed those unwanted pounds for summertime. You must keep in mind how important moderation is. Even eating too many vegetables can be bad so that's why it's so important to keep the right portion sizes. First, I will list ten fat burning foods that you need to add to your diet in order to help you lose weight.

1. Berries- Berries are high in nutrients including antioxidants. When you buy them frozen their freshness is locked in and they can be kept for some time and used in a variety of ways. In summer thaw a few berries in your mouth. Just like ice cubes, only tastier. Add them to your oatmeal, cereal, low fat, no sugar added ice cream or yogurt.
2. Whole Grain Bread- The fiber content of wholegrain bread is high along with the nutritional benefits of the seeds within. Wholegrain toast makes for a satisfying and low GI breakfast and wholegrain bread is excellent for sandwiches or as the side carbohydrate for a meal like soup.
3. Green Tea- Make green tea your drink of choice to quench that thirst, satisfy your minimum daily fluid intake while at the same time burning those calories. Green tea contains the anti-oxidant EGCG which works to burn calories throughout the whole day.
4. Salmon- It is packed with good fats which are conducive to weight loss. It is super easy to prepare and a cost effective, satisfying meal with a plate of vegetables and brown rice for example. A steak of salmon can be covered in a bowl and cooked in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Try the condiment Chermoula if you can find it, 
5. Brown Rice- Once you go brown you’ll never want to go back to white. It has substance and is covered in fiber. The nutty taste and texture of brown rice goes beautifully with your meats (such as lean chicken) and vegetables and is very filling. Note: Be sure to drink plenty of water when you have something as fiber rich in your diet as brown rice. 
6. Avocado- You can boost your fat burning metabolism by eating foods that contain L-carnitine. Avocado is a rich source of L-carnitine. As an added bonus, it is also an aphrodisiac. L-carnitine is  an amino acid found in your body in the liver. It helps to facilitate fat metabolism and promotes fat loss.
7. Grapefruit- A study from the Scripps Clinic (San Diego, California) reported that subjects eating half of a grapefruit or drinking 8 oz of grapefruit juice three times a day while maintaining their normal diet lost an average of 4 pounds over 12 weeks - and some lost more than 10 pounds without even dieting! 
   Results were likely due to grapefruit's ability to reduce insulin levels and to a chemical in grapefruit known as naringin, which prevents fat from being stored in the body. 
8. Chili Pepper Flakes- Chili pepper flakes have the active ingredient capsaicin, a chemical that can enhance calorie fat burning at rest as well as reduce hunger and food intake. The boost in calorie burn is particularly enhanced when capsaincin is used with caffeine. 
9. Spinach- Fights free radicals and improves recovery for better muscle building ability and is also filled with important nutrients as well as every other green vegetables!
10. Nuts- Fat alpha-linolenic acid are in all nuts, but most only contain trace amounts. The real hero in nuts is the mono-unsaturated fats. Almonds are a rich source of Omega-3's and only once contains about 3 grams of alpha-linolenic acid.

          Always remember to stay clear of any drinks that contain calories. Drinking calories is one of the worst things to do on your diet. No alcohol, soda, high in fat milk. If you have cereal in the morning, make sure it's whole grain and low in sugar and read the serving size on the box and stick to it. As for milk, always use unsweetened almond milk or any skim milk will be fine. Water, water, water. Our body needs about 2 liters of water DAILY! Yes, it seems like a lot, but it helps tremendously in helping you feel fuller longer. Most of them time we feel "hungry" it's actually us feeling dehydrated because of the lack of water, so drink lots of water and stay clear of soda's and other drinks that contain sugar and unwanted calories. At night, drinking herbal tea with a bit of mint and cinnamon is very helpful in your sleep and can actually help you burn more calories while you sleep. 

Blog Reminder: In my next blog I will talk about the very important protein-rich foods you need in your diet and also some healthy, tasty deserts to satisfy your after-dinner cravings.  Don't forget to visit teavana.com for delicious fat burning teas!