Posts Tagged ‘lowest calorie foods’

Fat Burning Foods

September 2nd, 2009

Beyond counting calories, eating the correct foods can really help speed up weight loss.  Here is a list of foods that when eaten regularly will aid your body to burn fat faster for quick weight loss.

Dairy

The calcium in dairy make it one of the best foods that burn fat, especially dangerous belly fat.  Studies have shown that if you eat yogurt 3 times daily, you could lose up to 60% more fat than those who don’t.  Low-fat yogurt, cheese or milk are all great choices when it comes to eating your dairy.  For those that are lactose intolerant, collard and turnip greens, broccoli, tofu and calcium fortified orange juice are also  excellent sources of calcium.

Eggs

Eggs have always gotten a bad rap, but they are one of the world’s most perfect food and one of the best fat burning foods.   Not only are eggs a great source of lean protein, but the yolk is shock full of most vitamins and minerals, except for vitamin C.  Because it is a  lean protein, eggs will fill you up and keep you full for a long time. Eggs are loaded with vitamin B12 that breaks down fat cells- so they are a natural fat burning food.

Grapefruit

Grapefruits have a 90% water content which helps to boost metabolism.  Grapefruit has fat burning enzymes and is also known to help lower insulin which is a hormone that stores fat.  Eating 1/2 a grapefruit, or a 2 ounce glass of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice before every meal can help you lose up to a pound a week. Grapefruit is also very alkalizing to the body which helps to neutralize toxins. Some believe fat is accumulated to protect the body from acidic toxins that can be harmful.  Grapefruit helps to neutralize these toxins and flush them out of the body. It also aids in hunger control.  Eaten before meals grapefruit will cut caloric consumption.  It is a great fat burning food.

Water

Water is the most essential food that our body needs.  Our bodies are over 95% water.  Many of us are walking around dehydrated and don’t even know it.  When you body doesn’t get enough water, it will hold on to fat and water.  Often times what you think of as hunger pains will be satisfied by drinking a glass of water.  Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.  It is after all, the ultimate lowest calorie foods you can eat!

Low Calorie Foods for Yummy Snacks!

June 17th, 2009

It’s important to eat 5 times a day to keep your metabolism burning.  I believe the food pyramid should be an inverted triangle with breakfast being the largest meal, and then eating less and less throughout the day.  In between meals, low calorie food snacks will keep your engine running, but be sure to  eat nutritious low calorie foods, not junk food.   The healthiest low calorie foods seem like they would be boring,  but I’ve  put together a list of diet low calorie foods that are anything but boring.  Snacks should ideally be around the 100 calorie mark if your intending to lose weight.  Protein low calorie food choices are always  good because they willact as an appetite suppressant to definitely keep you full longer.  Here is my low calorie food list of healthy, great snacks to aid in weight loss.  Combine these with daily exercise for the fastest way to lose weight.   Enjoy!

 Air popped popcorn,  3 cups ( the lowest calorie foods)

 String cheese

grapefruit

banana

Hummus and veges (2 tablespoons)

1 cup yogurt with fresh blueberries or strawberries

6 high-fiber, fat free crackers

1 hard boiled egg

10 almonds Frozen blueberries (blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity)

 Apple – The high fiber content of apples help curb cravings and shrink your waist!

Whey High protein smoothie

Protein Bar Recipe

 turkey meat rolled with mustard and a pickle inside

Celery with 2 tablespoons peanut or almond butter

1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese with pineapple

 2 Clementines

Fruit Salad

Hermit Cookies. This cookie is shock full of nutients and is great for a snack or for breakfast on the go.

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

 1/2 protein powder

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground mace

1/8 tsp ground cardamom

 1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup olive oil

 1/2 cup agave nectar

4 egg whites

1/2 cup unsulphered black strap molasses

1/2 apple sauce

1 tbsp vanilla

 2 tbsp plain low fat yogurt

 1 cup sultana raisins

1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries

1 cup unsalted, raw, slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 350*F.  Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Sift all dry ingredients and spices together in a large mixing bowl.  Cream olive oil and agave nector together until smooth.  In a seperate bowl, beat egg whites together and add olive oil mixture.  Mix well.  Add molases, applesauce, vanilla and yogurt.  Mix well.  Add raisins, cranberries and almonds.  The dough should form a ball.  It’s okay to use hands.  Wrap ball of dough with plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Use a spoon to make small balls and line the cookie sheet.  You can use a fork to press down gently.  Bake 10 minutes until lightly browned. Each cookie has 90 calories and 5 grams of fat.

 Bon Apetite!

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Healthy Low Calorie Foods for Lunch

June 13th, 2009
Green coral lettuce
Image by kerryj.comvia Flickr

If  breakfast is the most important meal of the day, lunch definitely comes a close second!  It’s almost midway through the day, and it’s important to re-fuel yourself, but not to eat too heavy that you want to fall asleep at your desk.  I love to eat big salads with protein for the healthiest low calorie foods.  I like to stay around 350-400 calories or so for lunch.   Here are some of my healthiest low calorie favorites!

Garden salad with lean protein. I love to mix baby spinach with arugula.  I add celery, tomatoes, carrots and about 3-4 ounces of lean chicken, salmon, or tuna.  Don’t skimp on the spinach or vegetables becasue they are the lowest calorie foods. Salads are some of the most nutritious low calorie foods you can eat.   If you like , you can add a tablespoon of goat or feta cheese for added flavor.  I dress it with a mix of  olive oil, crushed garlic clove, Celtic sea salt to taste and a lot of fresh squeezed lemon juice. I’ve gotten use to salad dressings without vinegar.   Fresh Lemon alkalizes your body.  I use it on almost everything!

Fresh Vegetables with Hummus.    Yum, yum, yum…what else can I say about hummus!  .  Hummus is not that high in fat.  It’s got the good fat – olive oil.  I eat about 1/2 cup at lunch with all the fresh, filling low calorie vegetables I have on hand.  Crisp celery, sugar snap peas, carrots, or just about any vegetable you prefer is delicious.  This is soooo easy and provides lots of high fiber low calorie foods for lunch!

Vegetable sandwich on Eskiel bread.  Eskiel bread is my all time favorite!  It’s loaded with fiber and made from sprouted grain full of enzymes my body needs.    I prefer the sesame. I keep it in the freezer and toast it to make sandwiches.   I know in Weight Watchers each slice is 1 point.  I like to spread the bread with mustard , then layer lettuce, sprouts, dill pickles, sweet onion, tomato and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper.  Every now and then I’ll add avocado if I have some and can afford the extra calories.   The whole sandwich is 4-6 points, depending if you have the avocado or not.

Quinoa with lightly steamed vegetables.  Quinoa is considered a perfect protein.  Quinoa is a South American grain.  It’s been around for over 6000 years.  The Incas considered it sacred and called it the “mother of all grain”.  I like to cook quinoa in chicken broth.  When there’s about 5 minutes left to cook, I throw in  cut up vegetables to soften them a bit.  I like to use celery, asparagus and zucchini, or any healthy low calorie foods of your choice.   I eat it with fresh squeezed lemon and often a tablespoon of humus mixed in.  Simply divine!

Bon Apetite!

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