Easy Weight Loss Staying Healthy And Fit

Without doubt the best way the best weight loss program of all is to simply keep yourself fit and healthy and by keeping your body in tip-top condition you will not only keep in good shape but stay looking as fresh and young as possible, and although you can never turn back the clock, maintaining a healthy and well-balanced diet will almost certainly make sure you stay looking good. There are some foods that you should definitely include in your diet plans which, it is thought, will not only keep you fit but also help combat the signs of aging. Let’s look at the top ten choices you should consider including in your weight loss regimen.

Water
Most of us, young or old, do not drink sufficient water, living in a constant state of dehydration. The average adult body is made up of 55 to 75 percent water and because our bodies are mostly water, it figures heavily in how our bodies function. Besides helping the digestion and absorption of food, water serves to regulate our body temperature, carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and gets rid of toxins and other wastes. The side effects of even slight dehydration include headaches, fatigue and low concentration levels. Make sure you include water in your weight loss plans, drinking little an often throughout the day and especially after exercise, or having been confined in a dry, overheated or air-conditioned environment.

Green Tea
Green tea is perhaps best known for its high levels of anti-oxidents, which help to reduce the damage caused by free radicals, but other benefits are many and varied.. It is widely believed that green tea will help regulate blood pressure, build the immune system, lower cholesterol and it is also widely accepted that green tea can be extremely effective at preventing cancer. A definite ‘must’ for your weight loss regimen.

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Dark green leafy vegetables are great sources of many of the vitamins and minerals your body needs in order to stay healthy. These vitamins include A, C, and K, folate, iron and calcium. Leafy greens are also a great source of fiber and are also high in fat-soluble vitamins. It is a good idea to add a teaspoon of dietary fat, such as butter, olive or canola oil, cheese or salad dressing to make sure your body absorbs all of the vitamins you eat.
Studies have even shown that the nutrients found in dark green leafy vegetables will boost the body’s immunity from illness and may actually prevent certain types of cancers and most definitely promote heart health.

Soy products
Over the last few years many people have been adding more soy to their diets in view of scientific studies which have shown that soy may offer health benefits, including reducing your risk of developing heart disease, lower blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol and reducing the risk of certain cancers. Soy products such as tofu are a great alternative source of protein than red meat or even dairy, because they contain little or no saturated fat. Soy products are certainly a useful addition to a healthy diet.

Yogurt
A yogurt a day may not mean less visits to your doctor, but there are a variety of health reasons to make this popular dairy food a regular in your weight loss diet. Many yogurts contain a high volume of ‘good’ bacteria which not only help to regulate the immune system protecting you against other harmful bacteria, but also help to diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness. Yogurt is also rich in calcium, which can help stave off osteoporosis. Yogurt also has as much potassium as a banana and as much protein as an egg or ounce of meat.

Red wine
It’s worth noting that France, where red wine has the highest consumption per head of population, reports a lower incidence of coronary heart disease despite their diet high in fat. Polyphenol antioxidants such as flavonoids or resveratrol and are found in grapes, all of which will fight the anti-ageing process. In particular, resveratrol is also beneficial in increasing ‘good cholesterol’ levels in the body and reduces the chances of blood clotting offering a much healthier circulatory system. The recommended intake would be about a glass every other day.

Dark chocolate
Well you wouldn’t have expected to see dark chocolate listed in an article about weight loss and keeping healthy but actually chocolate is made from plants, and therefore contains many of the healthy benefits of dark vegetables. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants called Flavinoids which help preserve healthy function of the blood vessels. They also slow down the ageing process caused by free radicals which can cause damage leading to heart disease. The secret here though is not to go over the top and limit yourself to just a square a day (over70% cocoa) for optimum benefit.

So these are the foods that you should include in your weight loss program. They will not only ensure a fit and healthy lifestyle but slimmer too. Remeber that if you lead a healthy lifstyle, weight loss comes as a free bonus!

Trevor Taylor