25 FOODS THAT WILL HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

Have you been starving yourself to lose weight? Try eating the right foods instead of staying off food. Here are 25 foods that should top your grocery list as they are not just nutritious, but will also help you lose that stubborn belly fat.

OLIVE OIL

 “Olive oil is the healthiest of oils,” says Mumbai-based nutritionist Naini Setalvad. It not just reduces the amount of bad cholesterol and increases the amount of good cholesterol in the blood, but it also keeps you full for longer.

APPLES

 Apples are low in calories and are a good source of fiber. “The fiber and pectin in apples helps you feel fuller for longer,” says Mumbai-based dietician, Maithili Pashtekar. Enzymes in apples help you digest food more effectively too.

TOMATOES

 Tomatoes are great for health due to their high vitamin C and antioxidant levels. “They are also low in calories,” says Naini. They can be had in almost any form- in soup, salad, in a dal and even raw. Tomatoes not only keep heart diseases and cancer away, but will also make your skin glow. These keep you fuller for longer too.

COCONUT

 Coconut contains healthy fats that will keep you feeling full. “One tsp of coconut in your food will prevent you from bingeing,” Naini adds. The healthy fats in coconut help your body absorb all essential nutrients.

LEMON

 Vitamin C in lemon boosts metabolism, thus keeping you slim. “Fresh lemon juice also cures acidity and helps keep chronic diseases at bay,” says Naini.

GREEN TEA

 Green tea is a great source of antioxidants. According to Maithili, “These speed up metabolism and fat burning.” A cup or two of green tea a day will also help you lower levels of bad cholesterol.

WALNUTS

 “Widely known as brain food, walnuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids,” according to Naini. This helps in keeping you full and therefore, makes for a good snack.

SPROUTS

 Eating sprouted pulses like mung bean (moong dal) or black chickpeas also help you lose weight. A good source of protein and fibre, these keep you fuller for longer too. “They are also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals,” says Maithili.

GRAPES

 “Just a handful of grapes make for a great snack,” says Maithili. They are full of fibre and water that will fill you up. What’s more, they are a great source of antioxidants that will help prevent ageing.

YOGURT

 Yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium that helps you burn fat. According to Sushila Sharangdhar, a Mumbai-based dietician, it is a good source of probiotic bacteria which keeps your digestive system healthy.

PRUNES

 “Low in calories, high in fibre, prunes also have a low glycemic index,” says Naini; so they can be eaten by diabetics too. Known to keep you fuller for longer, this is also a good blood purifier.

CARROTS

 Carrots are a good source of complex carbs that keep you from getting hungry too quickly. According to Maithili, they are also a good source of fibre vitamins A and B complex. These improve your bowel movements too.

BANANAS 

High in water content and fibre, a banana could easily satiate a person’s craving for an unhealthy/ oily evening snack. According to Naini, “Bananas are also a good cure for constipation. And as it contains serotonin, it is also a mood booster."

KIWI

 Kiwis too make for satiating snacks. “High in fibre, these fruits are low in calories and in glycemic index,” Naini adds.

OATS

 Oats in the form of bars and cookies are another healthy snack. “It is high in fibre and will keep you fuller for longer,” says Maithili. For that matter, any grain eaten whole is healthier as they help you absorb other nutrients better, she suggests.

SWEET POTATOES

 This is one side dish you can eat for a meal. “With a low glycemic index, they can easily satiate your sweet cravings,” according to Maithili. They are also loaded with fibre that fill you up without making you feel sluggish.

SPINACH

 “Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables around,” says Maithili. It is loaded with fibre, iron and folate. A cupful of spinach has only 35 calories and can be had in almost any form from dals and soups to salads and with pastas too.

BEETS

 Loaded with fibre and healthy sugars, beets can stave off hunger, according to Maithili. They will also keep your heart healthy.

FLAX SEEDS

 Eaten plain or sprinkled on salads, flax seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. “It also keeps your cholesterol levels in check and aids digestion,” says Sushila.

PEARS

 Pears contain pectin fibre that helps in decreasing blood sugar. “Pears help in weight loss as they limit the amount of fat cells by limiting the amount of fat your cells can absorb,” says Sushila. Pectin also causes cells to release excess fat deposits.

FISH

 Fish can also be called heart food as they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. “These fatty acids increase insulin sensitivity which increases muscle mass. And muscle mass increases your ability to burn fat,” Sushila adds.

ORANGES

 “A good source of vitamin C, they are a good way to keep the winter flu away too,” Maithili says. This low-calorie fruit with high water content can easily satiate your sweet tooth.

BROCCOLI

 “Broccoli is a great source of vitamins A and C and calcium too,” says Maithili. Make soup out of it or add it to whole wheat pasta for a wholesome low-cal meal.

EGGS

 Eggs are a healthy source of protein. “A medium-sized egg contains only 70 calories,” says Sushila. Eggs contain amino acids that aid fat loss. They also helps to stabilise blood sugar levels and maintain lean muscle tissue.

COTTAGE CHEESE

 According to Sushila, low fat cottage cheese is another healthy source of protein. “It is also a good source of calcium,” she adds. The calcium helps you burn fat, resulting in a leaner you.

Combine these foods with adequate exercise and avoid fried, processed or foods with preservatives for a leaner and fitter you.

SEVEN THINGS KIDS NEVER TELL PARENTS

Most parents believe that their children tell them everything. But that’s far from the truth. In fact, there are certain things kids never tell their parents. Here are some of them.





You drink more than they think you do
Most parents like to believe that their children will never overstep the line, especially when it comes to smoking and alcohol. But the fact remains that whenever they get an opportunity, the younger lot make the most of it. If you are high on alcohol, don’t announce it at home.











That you sometimes splurge
Your idea of cheap may not be shared by your folks. At the same time, there are things that you just can’t resist. So, what do you do? Well, if you are financially independent, don’t tell your parents how much you spent on shopping.







You hate the clothes they bought for you
Your fashion sensibilities may not match, but be diplomatic when your parents gift you something that seems to be straight out of an 80s’ movie. Ask for the bill and exchange it discreetly. When they ask you about the dress, tell them that you loved it and have kept it aside for special occasions.







You party when they’re away
Most children love it when their parents are away for a few days — that’s their chance to enjoy newfound freedom. But it is better — for them and you — if they don’t know that you have been waiting for them to leave.







You are a good kisser
It’s great if you can talk to your parents about sex, but there’s no need to burden them with unwanted information. Keep your dates a secret if you want your parents to let you out of the house after sunset.









That you blew 1000 on coffee
In a situation like this, most mothers would say, “Why can’t you have coffee at home instead of a coffee shop?” But there are times when you just have to visit that coffee shop. Your parents will freak out if they know that they could have done their grocery-shopping with the money you spent on coffee and some sandwiches. 

 

 

 

That you have at times ‘borrowed’ from their purse
You were short on cash and decided to borrow some from your folks, and forgot to mention it to them? Well, that’s not on. Even if you don’t tell your parents, promise yourself that you will never do it again.