Fight Fat With Food!

Photo: qoo monster

When you are trying to lose weight and build muscle, it’s important to get plenty of exercise and to eat foods that support your weight loss goals while providing good nutrition. You can’t build muscle without the raw materials provided by the foods you eat. Cutting calories and exercise will help you lose weight, but don’t sacrifice nutrition to drop those extra pounds. There are many foods that are high in nutrition but low in calories and fat. Eat several small meals throughout the day, including healthy snacks, to keep your metabolism revved up throughout the day.

Greek yogurt is a delicious food that has twice as much muscle-building protein as other types of yogurt. Protein is also slower to digest than other nutrients so you feel fuller, longer. Feeling full is a great way to help you avoid sugary snacks and high calorie munchies between meals. Add an extra nutritional punch to your Greek yogurt by stirring in some fresh fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries or slices of strawberry. Berries are high in fiber which can also help you feel full. Plus you will get a good dose of antioxidants. Snack on apple and pear slices between meals for a quick boost of energy from natural sugars, proteins and fiber. Grapefruit isn’t a magical fat-burning food, but you will feel fuller longer because it is loaded with water-soluble fiber and nutrients.

Whole grains, including quinoa, wheat and oats, should be part of every person’s diet even if you are not trying to lose weight. Whole grains contain protein, fiber and are loaded with vitamins and trace minerals that your cells need to function normally. Replace your processed flour pasta with whole grain pastas to cut calories while still enjoying the foods you love. Beans and brown rice are excellent sources of fiber and muscle building protein. You can also spice up your fat fighting diet by eating hot peppers! Hot peppers contain a natural compound called capsaicin that curbs your appetite and boosts your metabolism. You can also get the protein and nutrients you need from eggs. One egg has 7 grams of protein but only about 75 calories. If you have high cholesterol, check with your doctor about the number of eggs you should eat each week.