We are what we eat so what we put in our bodies really counts! That means eating foods that give us the most benefits. It’s important to have balanced meals and in those meals to include healthy fats, good fiber, the right kinds of carbs and plenty of protein. The best way to lose weight is to choose foods that help you to stay full longer, plus that give you lots of energy and help you to avoid overeating. Eating and exercise go hand in hand, that’s why I eat right and get in 30 minutes a day of exercise.

Here are five foods that will help you SHRINK your FAT ZONES – many of these are included in my 10-Week Whole Body Plan recipes, so start your free trial now to access all the delicious ways I have for eating healthy!

The avocado! Avocados are high in fiber, which is great for weight loss, for digestion and reduces your odds of getting diabetes. And they are packed with heart healthy fats while being low in saturated fat. They are cholesterol free, sodium free, and contain more potassium than bananas! And potassium is important for metabolism, memory and for building strong muscles.

Green Tea! Green tea is my favorite late afternoon pick me up drink. Recent studies have shown that green tea is good for stabilizing blood sugar, for lowering cholesterol, for lowering your blood pressure and improving memory. And it’s a great swap for sugary drinks. What’s more, studies have shown that green tea can help to melt the fat because the active ingredient in green tea, EGCG, can help you drop a few pounds! It does have caffeine so be sure to drink in moderation.

Hummus! I love hummus and sometimes I make my own in the blender using chick peas, tahini, olive oil, and garlic. I will to serve hummus to my family and friends as a dip with lots of colorful veggies. Hummus is full of fiber, which will help you to feel full longer! It has no sugar and very little sodium, so it’s great to help you keep your diet on track. Hummus also contains healthy fats, is low in saturated fats and is packed with protein. I will also use hummus as a flavorful replacement for mayonnaise on a sandwich.

Greek Yogurt! Greek yogurt is a great addition to your daily meal planning, particularly if you’re trying to lose weight. Greek yogurt helps your fat cells to pump out less cortisol, which makes it easier for you to drop pounds, and it’s also filled with amino acids to help you burn fat! I like plain Greek yogurt and will eat it with a small serving of fruit. It’s packed with protein and calcium and is also low in calories.

Air Popped Popcorn! What’s more fun than a Friday night movie with popcorn? It all comes down to how you pop it and how you flavor it. Air popped popcorn is a whole grain, low-calorie snack that contains dietary fiber to keep you full, and is full of vitamins and minerals.   It’s a great replacement for fatty snacks such as chips and pretzels. Instead of adding butter, which will give you unneeded fat and calories, you can flavor it with garlic powder, pepper, parmesean cheese, curry powder or even use a little olive oil spray. If you don’t have an air pop popcorn machine, here are two quick ways to prepare it.

1. In the microwave: To air pop popcorn in a microwave, buy plain popcorn kernels instead of pre-made microwave popcorn, measure out 1/3 cup of kernels and add to a brown paper lunch bag then fold down the top, allowing plenty of room for the popcorn to pop inside. Microwave on high for 4 minutes.
2. If you want to avoid the microwave, you can simply preheat your stove top burner on medium high heat, pour 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels into a medium to large pot, place the pot on the stove and cover with a lid, then you’ll simply shake the handle of the lid slightly back and forth to move the kernels, just be careful not to burn yourself! Within moments you’ll start to hear it pop. Just as with the microwave, you’ll want to listen to when the popping begins to slow so that you don’t burn it and then remove the lid.

With weight loss, it’s all about having the right plan to help you be successful. My 10-Week Whole Body Plan offers delicious recipes that are customized to your needs — even if you’re gluten free, diabetic or vegetarian! Each day I’ll provide you with meal planning and your daily workout. Let’s get started! Your first week is free!

Let’s get fitter, together – inside and out,

Denise

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