Foods to Help Lose Winter’s Pounds

Health Wellness

Image result for gaining winter weight

Even though many parts of the nation feel like they are still in the tight grip of winter, spring is here. Many people, especially seniors are far less active during the winter and they tend to eat more comfort foods, which some define as foods that taste great but add on the pounds and inches. The problem is, the older we get, the harder it is to lose those winter pounds.

One of the best places to start is to look at your diet and consider the foods listed below. They are gathered from several sources and compiled here to help you shed winter’s pounds:

  • Strawberries – who doesn’t like strawberries. In addition to tasting great and being loaded with vitamin C, strawberries are also a good source of fiber and fiber is something all of us need.
  • Eggs – packed with protein and seem to make you feel fuller longer.
  • Salad greens – yeah, rabbit food. Many are rich in fiber. They help fill you up with less calories.
  • Mushrooms – some suggest more mushrooms are best. Some studies have shown that people who ate mushroom based dishes felt just as satisfied as if the same dish had beef instead of mushrooms.
  • Sauerkraut – helps to replenish healthy bacteria in the gut. Some research has indicated that some weight gain is associated with unhealthy gut bacteria.
  • Sea bass – great source of healthy protein and other nutrients.
  • Grapefruit – known to reduce insulin levels which helps boost metabolism and weight loss in addition to being a good source of vitamins A & C, potassium and fiber.
  • Nettles – lots of nutrition for very few calories. Rich in calcium, vitamins A, B &C and iron. Some experts recommend substituting nettles for spinach in many some recipes.
  • Apricots – offers 60% of daily requirement of vitamin A.
  • Cherries – great low-calorie snack, loaded with antioxidants and promotes detoxification. Helps boost immune system by fighting off free radicals.
  • Mint – nearly calorie free. Can be used as sugar substitute. Smell of mint helps reduce appetite.
  • Radishes – only 19 calories per cup. Rich in potassium, vitamins B6 & C and fiber.
  • Lamb – cleaner protein source than beef or pork and good source of vitamin B12.
  • Rye – good source of fiber and the type of fiber binds with water making you feel fuller longer.
  • Clams – good source of omega-3 fatty acids and zinc and helps prevent inflammation.
  • Cherry tomatoes – low calorie and packed with nutrients. Makes great snacks.
  • Rhubarb – high nutrition, low calorie (low on glycemic index), high in vitamin C, fiber and potassium. Helps regulate blood sugar levels.
  • Basil – great seasoning. Some use it in fresh fruit salads.
  • Blueberries – high in antioxidants and vitamin K. Shown to play role in shedding pounds and reducing waist line.
  • Onions – contain chromium which helps reduce body fat and improve cholesterol levels.
  • Mussels – high in protein, low in saturate fat. Contains zinc and magnesium.
  • Cucumbers – low calorie, full of water, sulfur and silicon.
  • Millet – grain filled with magnesium – a nutrient that many women are low on.
  • Asparagus – low calorie, contains folate and vitamin A.
  • Sugar snap peas – low calorie, high fiber helps immune system.
  • Rabbit – high protein, low calorie and low fat. Nearly on par with chicken.
  • Carrots – low calorie, helps with sugar cravings.
  • Ramps – AKA wild leeks – only 50 calories per cup, helps with flavoring.
  • Fava beans – low fat, only 185 calories per cup, high fiber and other nutrients.
  • Okra – helps feed good gut bacteria, has fiber and helps move some toxins out of the body and helps maintain blood sugar levels.
  • Spinach – low calorie, high in iron, fiber antioxidants, vitamins A & K, magnesium and potassium.
  • Beets – super food – 1 cup contains over 30% of daily need of folate and vitamin B
  • Sprouts – filled with antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, D, e & K.
  • Dandelion greens – yeah, the weeds in your yard are very edible and often used in salads. Contain antioxidants and bioflavonoids, low calorie.
  • Scallops – high in vitamin C and tryptophan.
  • Collard greens – helps in digestion and increase metabolism.
  • Northern halibut – high protein, low fat and low calories.
  • Broccoli – high fiber, contains vitamin B complex and magnesium. Helps fight sugar cravings.
  • Artichokes – low calorie, has fiber, vitamin C and folate.
  • New potatoes – smaller ‘baby’ potatoes don’t have chance to convert as much sugar in to starch. Have been known to help with weight loss.
  • Zucchini – low calorie, has vitamins A & C, folate, fiber and potassium.
  • Eggplant – high in dietary fiber, manganese, copper, potassium, vitamin B1, B6, niacin, folate and magnesium.
  • Kiwi – rich in vitamin C. great source of sweetening for cereals.
  • Valencia orange – high vitamin C, boosts immune system and lowers risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and strokes.
  • Kumquats – look like tiny baby oranges. Low calorie, has vitamins A & C and fiber.
  • Coconuts – contain medium chain fatty acids that help speed up metabolism and burn off stored fats. Slows release of sugar into body.
  • Parsley – high in antioxidants and vitamin K.
  • Chicory – helps promote healthy digestion and known to have mild laxative properties.
  • Fennel – helps break down fat and stimulates metabolism.
  • Barley – high fiber, helps maintain blood sugar levels and curbs sugar cravings.
  • Quinoa – high fiber and protein.
  • Black cod – AKA butter fish or sable fish. Good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
  • Apples – high in fiber. (I like to slice and sprinkle cinnamon on slices and eat.) Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar.
  • Salmon – high in omega-3 fatty acids but higher in calories than other fish.

Happy Spring eating. This is quite a list of which one could plan many meals with. Easy list to use to surprise the family with tasty meals that are healthy for them – just don’t tell them it’s healthy and they’ll enjoy it more.

Losing Weight Nutrition

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