- Radishes have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- They are a member of the cabbage family.
- Radishes contain vitamin C, potassium and other trace minerals.
- Grown in Egypt since at least 2780 B.C., radishes were originally black.
Category Archives: Diet
FOOD FACT: FENNEL.
- Fennel contains the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin.
- This herb is anticarcinogenic and can be useful for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
- Fennel can be useful for indigestion and spasms of the digestive tract.
- It also helps expel phlegm from the lungs.
HEALTHY EATING TIPS.
Eat up, without piling on the pounds. You can boost your fat burn by eating more of the good stuff and less of the bad.
That means you can forget calorie counting and focus on eating!
Berries
Fruit is nutritious, but it’s not always a dieter’s best friend. Some fruits are high in fructose, a sugar that can lead to weight gain. As a rule, munch on dark-coloured fruits such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries as these are chock-full of antioxidants and fibre, and low in fructose.
Try this: Throw a handful of berries into a blender with a cup of almond milk and a scoop of whey protein for a healthy post-workout snack.
Nuts
Supercharge snack time with nuts. Cashews, Brazil nuts, walnuts and almonds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which help control appetite and lower muffin top-inducing cortisol levels.
Try this: Nibble on a selection of raw mixed nuts with a chopped apple to keep you feeling full between meals.
Spinach
Ridiculously low in calories, spinach is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Like other members of the dark green leafy family, this super-slimming veggie helps boost liver detoxification, cleansing your body of unwanted toxins, which is crucial for successful weight loss.
Try this: Add a handful of spinach to salads and drizzle with balsamic vinegar for a tasty meal.
Yoghurt
Natural yoghurt is a great source of probiotics, which help keep belly fat at bay. This dairy delight is also high in protein, which is proven to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Avoid flavoured yoghurts, which are usually packed with artificial baddies – you can sweeten your snack with a teaspoon of good-quality honey instead.
Try this: A pot of natural yoghurt served with 2 teaspoons of mixed seeds and a drizzle of honey.
Eggs
Eggs are cheap, packed with nutrients and high in protein, which fills you up without filling you out. Researchers found overweight and obese people who ate eggs for breakfast had lower levels of the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin in their blood three hours after eating. Result!
Try this: A poached egg on wholegrain toast.
Avocado
A speedy metabolism is a sure-fire route to weight loss success, and avocados have special powers to help perk up your body’s fat burning furnace. Often wrongly demonised in the dieting world, this amazing fruit is a wonderful source of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.
Try this: 2 tablespoons of guacamole served on two oatcakes.
Salmon
When it comes to successful weight loss, salmon gets five stars. The fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help your body burn fat at a faster rate, and it’s a fabulous source of protein. It’s versatile too, and can be enjoyed steamed, baked or grilled.
Try this: Salmon with mixed salad leaves and roasted vegetables.
Lentils
A vegetarian’s best friend, lentils are not only a great protein-based alternative to meat, they’re also jam-packed with the number one weight-loss boosting nutrient – fibre. Lentils also help regulate blood sugar levels and boost energy. And the good news is they’re easy to incorporate into your diet – they can be thrown into soups, salads, stews and curries for a fat-burning kick.
Try this: A bowl of lentil soup with a small wholegrain roll.
Oats
A steaming bowl of oats is the perfect way to start the day. Oats are loaded with fibre, which helps keep your digestive tract in tip-top shape and keeps you feeling full for hours. They’re also a great source of B vitamins, which help to regulate hormones.
Try this: 50g porridge made with almond milk and topped with 1tbsp flaxseed.
Green tea
OK, strictly speaking it’s not a food, but green tea is well known as a fat burner. This waist-trimming tea is crammed with antioxidants called catechins and just enough caffeine to give you a buzz without leaving you wired.
Try this: Add a squeeze of lemon to a cup of green tea to help boost liver detoxification.
FOOD FACT: TOMATOES.
- Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, flavonoids and other phytochemicals with anticarcinogenic properties.
- Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C (the vitamin C is most concentrated in the jelly-like substance that surrounds the seeds).
- They also contain vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, potassium and phosphorus.
- A tomato grown in a hothouse has half the vitamin C content as a vine-ripened tomato.
FOOD FACT: ASPARAGUS.
- Asparagus is high in glutathione, an important anticarcinogen.
- It also contains rutin, which protects small blood vessels from rupturing and may protect against radiation.
- Asparagus is a good source of vitamins A, C and E, B-complex vitamins, potassium and zinc.
FOOD FACT: ONIONS.
- Onions are an excellent antioxidant, and they contain anti-allergy, antiviral and antihistamine properties.
- Sulfur compounds in onions help to detoxify the body.
- Onions aid in cellular repair.
- Onions are a rich source of quercetin, a potent antioxidant.
- To obtain the maximum nutritional benefits, onions should be eaten raw or lightly steamed
FOOD FACT: DANDELION GREENS.
- Dandelion is beneficial to digestion and is an antiviral.
- It may also be useful in treating jaundice, cirrhosis, edema due to high blood pressure, gout, eczema and acne.
- Dandelion is also used to treat and prevent breast and lung tumors and premenstrual bloating.
- Dandelion greens are high in vitamin A in the form of antioxidant carotenoid and vitamin C.
- They also contain calcium and potassium.
- Dandelion root contains inulin, which lowers blood sugar in diabetics.
SAY YES TO FAT.
While low-carb diets will remain popular this year, it’s predicted that consumers will be welcoming back fat with open arms.
Unlike the Atkins diet, which encouraged followers to increase foods such as cheese and butter, this is all about choosing the right sort of fat.
So you are looking at plenty of oils, avocados, eggs, and so-called fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. And carbs are also encouraged.
Make sure you stock up on seeds and nuts too, as most registered dieticians named these as the superfood that will reign supreme in 2015.
FOOD FACT: CHICORY.
- Chicory contains inulin, which helps diabetics regulate their blood sugar levels.
- Chicory is closely related to lettuce and dandelion but is a member of the sunflower family.
- It may be cleansing to the liver and gallbladder.
- Chicory is beneficial for digestion, the circulatory system and the blood.
- Chicory leaves are a good source of calcium, vitamin A and potassium.
EAT UP, SLIM DOWN.
The secret behind fat-loss success lies in fuelling your body with nutrient-dense meals. Start by going back to basics.
Number one on the list is fibre, both soluble and insoluble. Fibre helps slow digestion and recharges your body with a steady stream of energy, but worryingly, a whopping 90% of British women don’t eat enough roughage.
Eat meals high in protein, which helps preserve lean muscle mass, and omega-3 fatty acids. These turn on fat-burning enzymes in your cells and regulate the hormone leptin, which keeps you satiated.
Finally, spice up your meals for a metabolism kick. Chilli and paprika both contain capsaicin, which helps speed weight loss, while cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar and reduce cravings.