Magic Weight Loss Foods?

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Magic weight loss foods: foods that - just by the simple act of eating them - result in weight loss. Wouldn't that be incredible? Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Losing weight isn't magic, it's math. And the math behind losing weight is pretty straightforward: consume fewer calories than you expend; 3,5000 calories per pound to be exact. In other words to lose just one pound of fat a week you'd need to eat 500 fewer calories each day or burn an extra 500 calories a day through exercise (or some combination thereof).

Admittedly not all calories are alike. Different foods react differently in our bodies. For example, foods with a high salt content cause us to retain water directly impacting the numbers on the scale. High fiber foods, on the other hand, cause us to feel full and help "clean" out our system making us appear thinner. But neither have a real impact on our weight. Are there really any magic weight loss foods?

The short answer is no. There is nothing that we can eat that will magically cause us to start losing weight. However, there are certain foods that can help speed up metabolism, make us feel full longer or suppress our appetite. And while they may not exactly reduce the fat around our waist, there are foods that can help eliminate gas and bloating at least giving the appearance of a flat stomach.

So next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to pick up the following items and incorporate them into your normal eating routine:

Foods that help reduce bloating

• Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols that, among other things, can ease stomach bloat.

• Parsley is a natural diuretic that keeps water retention and bloating under control.

• Peppermint includes a compound called menthol, which relaxes the intestines and keeps the stomach from poofing out.

• Yogurt contains good bacteria (probiotics), which helps keep the digestive system in good working order; it also helps reduce gas and bloating.

Foods that help stimulate metabolism

• Cinnamon has been found to increase metabolism. In fact, it was found that as little as a teaspoon of cinnamon added to food helps the body metabolize sugar 20 times faster and lowers blood-sugar levels.

• Milk (actually any low-fat dairy) contains calcium, which acts as a metabolic trigger. Milk and other low-fat dairy products are also a rich source of complex carbohydrates, which can boost metabolism by preventing elevated insulin levels. Excess insulin (among other things) inhibits the release and use of stored body fat.

• Green tea has a chemical called EGCG that causes the brain and nervous system to run faster which in turn helps you burn more calories; sort of like caffeine but without the elevated heart rate and associated jitters that many people experience.

These are just some of the every day foods, foods that are readily available and easily incorporated into our diets, that help our bodies work more efficiently towards weight loss. Magic? No. Smart choices, yes.

Ingredients of Success

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