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.

5 PEOPLE YOU NEED AFTER A BREAK UP

Breakups can happen to the best of us, but locking yourself alone in a room and sulking all day long is not going to help you! Here are the five people you should go out and meet as they can help you get through a bad breakup.

YOUR BACK UP EX

Don't look at us like that! It's true that meeting an ex who still harbours feelings for you can make you feel great about yourself. A bad breakup can cause feelings of self doubt and hopelessness. But hanging out with the ex who still loves you can make you realise that someone, somewhere has the capacity to love you romantically and you still have hope. Sigh!

THE BARTENDER

We are not suggesting that you get wasted (of course we are!), but bartenders are great people to hang around with after an ugly breakup. They have good experience in such matters as they have seen hundreds of patrons already going through similar situations and can help you find answers. If you don't want answers then they can get you liquored up and introduce you to the cutie at the next table ;)

A STRANGER

This stranger could be anyone - from someone you've met at the bus stop to the new joinee at your yoga class. New people have no stake in protecting you or your ex, so they can give unbiased analysis which people you know are afraid to share.

PERSON WHO HATES YOUR EX

This person could be a family member, a friend, your building watchman or anyone! The only criteria required is that they should loathe your ex! These guys will give you a new perspective and help you realise how you deserve someone better.

YOUR FRIENDS

This one goes without saying! Nobody can cheer you up like your friends. So go dancing, drinking or holidaying with them. If they took a backseat in your life when you boarded the relation-ship, apologise and beg them to come back in your life. And, if you've really ruined it, then just watch re-runs of Sex and the City.

HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES TO THE POTATO CHIP

For sheer crispy, crunchy deliciousness, the potato chip is tough to beat. Not coincidentally, it’s also one of the top dietary contributors to weight gain, according to a recent Harvard study.

But rather than lecture you on your naughty chip-chomping habit, we will help you kick it: Here are five delectable — and healthier — alternatives to potato chips. You can buy the snacks at grocery stores, but they taste better baked from scratch. 

Whether you bake or buy these treats, each has less fat and fewer calories than deep-fried potato chips. And they’re all delicious.

APPLE CHIPS

How can an apple possibly fill in for potato chips? Quite spectacularly, actually. Baked apple slices are plenty crispy, and the fruit's bright flavor becomes even more concentrated as water evaporates from the chips.

Apple chips are one of the simplest snacks to make at home and they keep their crunchiness for a long time. As a bonus, they fill you up with fiber and give you a nice shot of vitamin C too.

Homemade

2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 to 3 lemons, juiced

2 small, crisp apples, washed and dried

In a small pot, combine the water and sugar and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Set aside to cool. Using a sharp knife, cut each apple, placing the core end of the apple in front of the blade, into thin rounds. Remove the seeds as you cut and sprinkle slices with lemon juice. Submerge slices in the syrup and allow them to "rest" for a few hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 200°F. Remove apples from the syrup and lightly dry them on a paper towel. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven until crispy, about 60 mins.

SPINACH CHIPS

Even a leafy green vegetable can fill in for potato chips, if you bake it right. An added bonus: with spinach, there's no slicing necessary. Packed with vitamins A and C,spinach makes a surprisingly elegant and scrumptious salty snack.

Homemade

1 small bunch of spinach

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp vinegar, optional 

Sea salt to taste

Preheat oven to 300°F. Cut away inner ribs from each kale leaf and discard, then tear the spinach leaves into same-size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry pieces, then put them in a large Ziploc bag or bowl. Add half of the olive oil, seal bag and squeeze, distributing the oil evenly on the kale pieces. Add rest of olive oil and squeeze the bag further, until all kale pieces are evenly coated with oil and slightly "massaged." Sprinkle vinegar over the leaves, then reseal and shake bag to distribute vinegar throughout.

Arrange spinach leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet, then roast until they are mostly crisp, about 35 mins. Check every 10 mins. or so and turn pieces over as needed. When chips are done to your liking, sprinkle with a generous amount of sea salt and eat immediately.

SWEET POTATO CHIPS

Packed with vitamin A and the essential mineral manganese, sweet potatoes make surprisingly tasty, crunchy, reduced-fat chips. They're most delicious when baked with a spice blend.

Homemade

1 large sweet potato, unpeeled, washed, and dried

For spice blend:

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp cumin powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp paprika

Heat oven to 200°F. Line two baking pans with parchment paper. Slice potato crosswise, as thin as possible. Coat slices with spice blend, then arrange on the prepared sheets, and keep them from touching as much as possible. Cook for 50 mins. Slices will dehydrate and shrink.

Turn chips over, and rotate baking sheets if needed for even cooking. Cook 30 to 40 more mins., until slices are crisped and fluted around the edges and the centers are still orange, not brown. Chips will be soft when removed from oven and will crisp as they cool.

Cool chips on baking sheets. Store in an airtight container, at room temperature, up to three days.

WHITE HOUSE HIT BY CYBER ATTACK

The computer systems of the White House have been hit by a cyber attack which breached the network security through fake emails from a trusted sender.

An unnamed Obama administration official, quoted in local press reports, claimed on Monday that the White House network, targeted by the “spear-phishing” attack, did not contain classified data and that no information was apparently stolen.

The remarks by the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, came in reaction to a Sunday report in a rightist Washington publication the Washington Free Beacon.

The report claimed that Chinese hackers “broke into one of the US government’s most sensitive computer networks, breaching a system used by the White House Military Office for nuclear commands.”

The Washington Free Beacon, which commonly reflects the views of conservative Republicans in American political circles, said it was quoting “defense and intelligence officials familiar with the [cyber hacking] incident.”

"In this instance the attack was identified, the system was isolated, and there is no indication whatsoever that any exfiltration of data took place,” the unnamed official was quoted as saying. “Moreover, there was never any impact or attempted breach of any classified system."


American intelligence authorities have persistently expressed growing concerns about what they claim is China-based cyber attacks against US government agencies, including the Defense Department.


In November 2011, top US intelligence officials publicly blamed China for systematically stealing American high-tech data through cyber attacks.

 

Source : Presstv