12 Healthy Foods to Help Get Rid of Love Handles
12 Healthy Foods to Help Get Rid of Love Handles
Dieting is not starving. When the intention to go on a diet is to shape up, then starving yourself is not the smart path to take. In fact, it will only cause more trouble as the hunger pangs will haunt you and force you to eat more. This is especially true in getting rid of your love handles. You know that you have to eat so you can nourish the body but it is the kind of foods you eat that will make the difference.
Your goal then is to consume food that will fill you up, nourish you and curb grievous cravings. These are sources that have been derived from major food groups and supply you with enough energy through the day. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. This way, you only provide the body of what’s essentially required and avoid adding unnecessary calories. They have to taste good too so you will have the motivation to see it through. Here are top 12 foods that will help you get rid of those undesirable love handles.
1. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are like magic seeds. They absorb water and then grow 12 times bigger, making you feel full for hours. They are hydrophilic foods that’s why they can provide your body with this special property. Aside from this, chia seeds are your abundant source of healthy fats, iron, and fiber. Its quite versatile too that you can add it to practically anything whether its your hearty meal recipes or power beverages.
2. Heart-healthy Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds has launched a fight against heart disease and this was backed up in a study published in the Nutrition & Metabolism journal. It protects your heart by bringing down blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is one of the leading plant-based sources for the 9 essential amino acids.
3. Quinoa for Weight Loss
Quinoa is also a seed and when its cooked, it works like a grain. Just a cup contains a good 8 grams of protein and about 2.5 grams of soluble fiber. Through a study done by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, it was discovered that quinoa seeds are great for weight loss as they make you feel fuller and less hungry for hours. Consumption of quinoa likewise helps in reducing your blood sugar levels.
4. Rich Lentils
Lentils are just tiny legumes but they are a rich source of the elements that will help you get rid of your love handles and supply you with other essentials. They are low in carbohydrates but high in fiber so they really facilitate speedy weight loss. Specifically, a cup of lentils provide you 24 grams of the good carbs, 16 grams of fiber, and 18 grams of protein. In addition, they are so rich in iron, folate, and magnesium that they can be a substantial addition to your regular diet.
5. Low Glycemic Chickpeas
Chickpeas are the kind you can count to keep your energy up all day. They are quite slow to digest and this means that you won’t get hungry and crave for food too often. Aside from these, they will complement your weight management goals because they are of low glycemic index. Slowly but surely, a serving of chickpeas a day will help you say good bye to your love handles.
6. Fully Satiating Brown Rice
Brown rice is so filling that it is every vegan’s best friend. It is known to be healthier compared to the regular white rice so it is a good option for those who are used to rice as their staple. But staple or not, brown rice is a good food to consume if your goal is to shed off your love handles. A cup will give you 3.5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. It will likewise lower down your blood glucose and insulin levels. They are easy on the pocket so you can have delicious brown rice in your meals often.
7. High Protein Almonds
Almonds are not only yummy nuts but are most popular for their wholesome fats. What most people are not aware of is that these nuts are also high in protein. And so if you enjoy a cup of almonds, your body will equally benefit from a heavy 30 grams of protein. Not only that, it is an abundant source of vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, riboflavin, fiber, calcium and niacin.
8. Pumpkin Seeds for Snacks
Cutting in-between meals can be a challenge when you are trying to lose weight especially when you are used to having snacks. Pumpkin seeds offer a relieving solution as they are great to have for a filling snack and will support your goals in trimming down your love handles. Not only that, a cup of these seeds are fiber-rich and can give you 12 grams of protein. Among other foods, pumpkin seeds also impart to you the broadest array of Vitamin E.
9. Energizing Black Beans
In general, beans have high complex carbohydrates and fiber content. As a result, they make you feel energized and satiated the whole day. In particular, consumption of black beans help improve one’s resistance to insulin. The same was supported in a 2011 study that concluded that black beans allows for a good protection against obesity.
10. Light-hearted Kale
One cup of raw and chopped kale is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It contains 1.5 grams of protein as well. Kale is a non-starchy type of vegetable so they can add some volume to your usual meal without making it too heavy on the stomach.
11. Eggs Galore
Eggs are the easiest to prepare and have a host of health benefits to help you combat belly fat. For one, they are an abundant source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Next, they are so substantial that you will tend to feel full longer than usual. Thirdly, your metabolism speeds up when you have eggs as part of your meals. Finally, eggs minimize your sweet cravings and keep you off sweet-smelling desserts.
12. All Powerful Spinach
Should you decide to give up snacks altogether, spinach is proclaimed to be the perfect choice. It is going to wean you off your cravings so you won’t gain extra weight from in-between meals. According to Professor Charlotte Erlanson-Albertsson of Sweden’s Lund University, spinach has a key compound known as thylakoid that prevents hunger pangs and ultimately, helps you avoid adding more pounds to your belly.
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Sources:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1753-6561/5/S8/P21
http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/media/detail.php?source=hospital_news/2014/20140805_hn
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/2/272S.full
