Food pairings to lose weight

Ginger when added to fish or chicken removes the fishy smell and ginger is good for circulation. Lemon which is rich in vitamin C and when added to your green tea facilitates absorption of nutrients from the tea.  At night, eat healthy fats as cholesterol is synthesize at night. It takes 30 minutes to digest boiled eggs but at least 3 hours for meat. Pineapple is rich in enzymes that helps in digestion, so eat them 30min before or after a meat dish.  Cayenne and turmeric are anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic and best eaten with meat. Aim for few calories if you are over 50 as our metabolism is slower as we age. Fiber rich whole foods help in preventing chronic diseases.

Connie

In a number of obesity syndromes in rodents, the sympathetic nervous system (of thermogenesis) is defective. Heal your nervous system with good fats, sleep, de-stress, exercise, whole foods, quality supplementation especially Vitamin B complex.  Food pairings is important as well as chewing your food well and adding high fiber rich foods and good fats in your diet.

Eat by chewing well and add lemon in your water. Eat between 10 am to 4 pm. Exercise, sleep well and avoid stress.

By Dana Leigh Smith and Cassandra Talmadge

Although that may sound counter intuitive, there’s sound science behind our recommendation. But before you get too excited and double-up on ice cream and cookies, realize this trick does have some caveats. If you want to trim your waist in record time, you’ll need to pair the right foods together on one plate. All the mighty duos below either fry fat, beat bloat or boost metabolism. Why consume just one better-body food? Check out our delicious pairings and accelerate the rate of your weight loss, today!

Turn up the heat on your belly bulge by flavoring your chicken with a dash of cayenne powder. Protein-rich foods like poultry not only boost satiety, but also help people eat less at subsequent meals, according to research. But that’s not all: It can also increase post-meal calorie burn by as much as 35 percent! If you thought it couldn’t get much better than that, think again! Researchers say that chili pepper can also help blast away stubborn belly fat! If you ask us, there’s no better reason to sprinkle some onto your chicken before it hits the grill. (For more furnace-stoking flavor, try the 5 Best Spices for Weight Loss.)

Grab a pepper and a few eggs, and get crackin’! This mighty fat-frying duo is sure to help you fit into your skinny jeans in no time. Eggs contain a metabolism-boosting nutrient called choline, and peppers are a good source of vitamin C. What does vitamin C have to do with weight loss? Getting an adequate amount of the nutrient can help fight off cortisol, a hormone that causes fat to accumulate around the midsection. Chop some peppers, add them to a hot pan with some olive oil, add in two or three eggs and scramble them up to stay slim.

If you’re trying to lose weight, oatmeal topped with berries is another delicious fat-frying breakfast option you might want to consider. What makes the duo so powerful? They each contain insoluble fiber which, according to Canadian researchers, boosts levels of ghrelin—a hormone that controls hunger. Plus, berries are packed with chemicals called polyphenols that aid weight loss and can actually stop fat from forming. Adding this meal to your weekly repertoire is sure to help you see your six-pack before swimsuit season. And, believe us, the cook time is worth it. Oatmeal is one of the secrets to our exclusive plan: 14 Ways to Lose Your Belly in 14 Days.

Fight fat and banish bloating with a fruit salad comprised of honeydew and red grapes. Melon is a natural diuretic, so it helps fight the water retention responsible for making you look puffy even though you have a toned stomach. Red grapes add fuel to the better-belly fire because they contain an antioxidant called anthocyanin that helps calm the action of fat-storage genes. This dynamic duo makes for a delicious, healthy dessert and is sure to turn your two-pack into a six-pack—stat!

While a snack mix comprised of cereal and pretzels may taste good, it’s not going to give you that tight stomach you crave. Ditch the starchy carbs and replace them with a combination of pistachios and almonds. According to researchers, reaching for these nuts in lieu of carbohydrate-based foods can help speed the rate of weight loss. More good news: A study printed in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that the amino acid L-arginine, found in almonds, helps the body burn more fat and carbs during workouts, too. So while you’re doubling down on the workouts before spring break, make sure your diet is doing double duty, too!

You’ve almost reached your weight loss goal, but those last few pounds seem to be holding on for dear life. Ditch the last bit of flab with a daily dose of vitamin D-fortified yogurt (we like Stonyfield Organic). A Nutrition Journal study found that diets rich in both calcium and vitamin C can significantly decrease the amount of fat the body absorbs and stores. Why should you add a sprinkle of cinnamon to your container, you ask? Not only does it taste great, but it also contains powerful antioxidants that improve body composition and insulin sensitivity. Animal studies have also found that consuming cinnamon can ward off the accumulation of belly chub. Enjoy this tasty duo as a quick, on-the-go breakfast or an afternoon snack. Just make sure you’re choosing a pot with more protein than sugar with our guide to the 9 Best Brand Name Yogurts for Weight Loss.

If your monster appetite is making it difficult for you to trim down, consider making a sautéed side dish or salad with some avocado oil and spinach. How will eating these foods help you slim down? Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats that help ward off hunger. And high-volume, low-calorie greens like spinach help fill you up without filling you out. Plus, studies show that women who eat foods with high water content, such as leafy greens, have lower BMIs and smaller waistlines than those who don’t load their plates with this type of food. So eat plenty of green to get lean.

Slightly green bananas are rich in something called resistant starch. This type of starch not only boosts satiety, but also–as the name implies–resists digestion. The result: the body has to work harder to digest the food, which promotes fat oxidation and reduces abdominal fat. What’s more, bananas are rich in potassium, a nutrient that helps banish pesky bloat that can make you look less trim and fit than you actually are. Pair this mighty fruit with spinach, a low-cal veggie that boosts satiety and aids post-pump recovery, to create a fat-frying smoothie in just seconds. Simply throw a small banana, two handfuls of spinach and a cup of organic 1% or carrageenan-free almond milk (we like Silk Unsweetened variety) into a blender with a couple ice cubes, blend and enjoy!

Want to look slim and fit on the beach? Look no further than the ocean—or at least the oceanside sushi joint. Pairing a tuna roll or a few pieces of tuna sashimi with ginger, the oft-overlooked pickled spice that comes on your plate, can help your abs shine through. Ginger accelerates gastric emptying, which helps diminish that “food baby” look more rapidly than other foods, and it also blocks several genes and enzymes in the body that promote bloat-causing inflammation. Tuna’s role on this team is important, too; it’s a primo source of docosahexaenoic acid, an type of omega-3 fat that can ward off stress chemicals that promote flab storage and down-regulate fat genes in the stomach, stopping belly fat cells from growing larger. More on this: The Best and Worst Sushi Rolls for Weight Loss

All fruits are healthy, but some fight fat better than others. And when you put the best of the best together in one simple fruit salad, you’ve got yourself a solid defense against health-harming flab. Apples are one of the very best sources of fiber in the fruit kingdom—and the nutrient is integral to reducing visceral fat. In fact, a recent study found that over five years, for every 10-gram increase in soluble fiber eaten per day, visceral fat diminished by 3.7 percent. Watermelon, which is one of our Best Fruits for Fat Loss, adds fuel to the waist-whittling fire by improving lipid profiles and lowering fat accumulation. This dynamic duo makes for a delicious, healthy dessert or anytime snack, and is sure to turn your two-pack into a six-pack—stat!

While eating something that can make your belly bloated may not sound like the best way to lose weight, it’s actually a solid strategy. Eating a calorie-restricted diet that includes four weekly servings of protein- and fiber-rich legumes aids weight loss more effectively than a calorie-equivalent diet that doesn’t include beans, say Spanish researchers. Besides tasting delicious, pairing beans with corn can help boost the slimming effects. Corn, like bananas, contains resistant starch, a type of carb that dodges digestion. In turn, the body isn’t able to absorb as many of the corn’s calories or glucose, a nutrient that’s stored as fat if it’s not burned off, aiding weight loss efforts. To reap the benefits, create a tasty corn and bean side dish. Combine salt- and BPA-free cans of corn and beans in a saucepan and warm over medium heat. Season with ground pepper and cilantro. Add the mixture to greens for a waist-trimming salad, use it as a flavorful topper for grilled chicken, or load the mixture into a toasted whole-grain pita pocket for a quick, on-the-go lunch.

Fight fat and ward off diet-derailing hunger with a cup of cinnamon-spiked coffee. It’s one of the fat-burning tips from the all-new Zero Belly Diet that has helped people lose up to 16 pounds in 14 days. The spice is sitting in just about every coffee shop in America, but very few people sprinkle any in their cup–big mistake. Cinnamon is practically calorie-free and can add a major flavor punch to your morning java. What’s more, it contains powerful antioxidants that are proven to reduce the accumulation of belly flab. (These are just some of the reasons it’s one of our Best Spices for Weight Loss.) Pair that with an appetite-suppressing cup of caffeine, and you’ve got quite the powerful six-pack carving duo. Bonus: If you’re making coffee at home, add cinnamon right into your brew-pot with the grinds for an even better taste and all the same weight loss benefits.

Thanks to the popularity of low-carb diets, white potatoes have been unfairly blacklisted. However, a second look at the science reveals that the spuds are actually powerful hunger tamers that can help you lose weight. In fact, Australian researchers found that potatoes are actually more filling than fiber-rich brown rice and oatmeal! The root vegetable is also a good source of bloat-banishing potassium, so they can help you look slimmer almost immediately. But just because potatoes are a go doesn’t mean your favorite high-cal toppings also have the green light. We’re looking at you, bacon bits! Our suggestion: Enjoy half a baked potato with a bit olive oil and fresh pepper instead. Piperine, the powerful compound that gives black pepper its taste, may interfere with the formation of new fat cells—a reaction known as adipogenesis—which can help trim your waist, zap body fat and lower cholesterol levels. It’s a triple win!

Ditch that layer of cold-weather chub with a slimming bowl of yogurt and berries. Consuming a combination of calcium and vitamin D—what’s typically found in a tub of vitamin D-fortified yogurt—can significantly decrease belly chub and fat absorption in overweight populations, a Nutrition Journal study found. To get similar results at home, start your day with some Stonyfield Organic Fat-Free Plain Yogurt and top it with fiber-packed raspberries. The fruit is a great source of insoluble fiber that, according to Canadian researchers, boosts levels of ghrelin—a hormone that controls hunger. Plus, berries are packed with chemicals called polyphenols that aid weight loss and can actually stop fat from forming. Enjoy this tasty duo as a quick breakfast or afternoon snack.

Fish host long chains of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to lower triglycerides and reduce inflammation. They’re also great sources of muscle-building protein, and the more muscle you have on your body, the higher your metabolic rate. Throw garlic into the mix, and you have a lethal weapon for fighting belly fat. According to a study published in the journal Nutrition Research and Practice, women who ingested 80 milligrams of garlic extract a day for 12 weeks lost weight and reduced their BMI significantly.

Pairing healthy sources of protein and complex carbs does more than aid with muscle recovery post workout. It also keeps you fuller longer. Nut butters are rich in unsaturated fats, which can help deflate a spare tire. And unlike saturated fats, which researchers say turn on certain genes that increase the storage of belly fat, polyunsaturated fats activate genes that shrink fat and improve insulin metabolism. Throwing fiber into the mix increases satiety, warding off mindless snacking.

Who needs Spanx when you can sip on a powerful brew? White tea works in three distinct ways to help strip away fat from your body. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism showed that white tea can simultaneously boost lipolysis (the breakdown of fat) and block adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells). Another group of researchers found that the tea is also a rich source of antioxidants that trigger the release of fat from the cells and help speed the liver’s ability to turn fat into energy. The Vitamin C in just half a lemon can boost fat burning by as much as 25 percent and whittle your waist, according to one study. If there’s such a thing as a muffin-top-melting tea, this is it.

In a Canadian study, researchers discovered that those whose diets were supplemented with insoluble fiber had higher levels of ghrelin, a hormone that controls hunger. And a cup of these little ruby jewels has 8 grams of fiber! Insoluble fiber helps feed the healthy bacteria in your gut, triggering production of a fatty acid that reduces inflammation throughout your body. Pairing these fat-burning bullets with good polyunsaturated fats, like those found in walnuts, activate genes that reduce fat storage and improve insulin metabolism. At about 13 grams per one ounce serving, walnuts are one of the best dietary sources of those fats.

Pepita is the Spanish term for pumpkin seed, and if you consider them just jack o’lantern innards, you’re in for a treat. One ounce of seeds has eight grams of protein — more than an egg or almonds — and is rich in flat-belly nutrients like fiber, zinc and potassium, which are key to muscle building and recovery. Sprinkle them in salads for any extra flat-belly fiber punch.

When it comes to weight loss, fat burning and fitness fuel, few foods are more powerful than yogurt. Why opt for Greek over regular? For one, Greek yogurtprovides up to double the protein of regular yogurt for the same amount of calories, making it more satiating. Sweet potatoes on the other hand are king of slow digesting carbs, keeping you feeling fuller and energized longer. Among the magic ingredients here are carotenoids, antioxidants which stabilize blood-sugar levels and lower insulin resistance, which prevents calories from being converted into fat. Use a dollop of greek yogurt in place of sour cream for the combo’s fat-frying effects.

You see it sitting there every time you’re sitting around waiting for a massage. Spa water — a pitcher of ice water with sliced whole lemons, oranges or grapefruit — is a great substitute for sugary beverages. The citrus peels add d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant that stimulates liver enzymes, helping to rid the body of toxins and flush fat from your system. And don’t forget: delicious smoothies really can help you lose weight! For 150+ recipes that will make your belly flat, buy the brand-new book from Abs Diet creator David Zinczenko: Zero Belly Cookbook!

Dark chocolate is more than a blissful dessert — it’s heavenly for your waistline. A recent study found that the antioxidants in cocoa prevented laboratory mice from gaining excess weight and actually lowered their blood-sugar levels. A separate study at Louisiana State University found that gut microbes in our stomach ferment chocolate into heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory compounds that shut down genes linked to insulin resistance and inflammation. To enhance the effects, try pairing your chocolate (at least 70% cacao) with some apple slices. The fruit speeds up your gut’s fermentation process, leading to an even greater reduction in inflammation and weight.

According to the Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee, consuming calcium-rich foods like ricotta can help your body metabolize fat more efficiently. Top it with berries, which contain polyphenols, powerful natural chemicals that can help you lose weight–and even stop fat from forming. In fact, in a recent Texas Woman’s University study, researchers found that feeding mice three daily servings of berries decreased the formation of fat cells by up to 73 percent! Mash 1 cup of berries and let them marinate in their own juices for an hour, then spoon them on top of ricotta for a belly-slimming dessert.

You might not think of these little beige bullets as a superfood, but it’s time to start. High in nutrients and soluble fiber, chickpeas are a prime weight-loss weapon, increasing feelings of satiety by releasing an appetite-suppressing hormone called cholecystokinin. And they blend flawlessly with extra virgin olive oil (hello hummus!), which may increase blood levels of serotonin, a hormone associated with satiety.

Cucumbers are about 95 percent water. Not only will they hydrate you, but they also boost your weight-loss efforts thanks to their H2O content and low calorie count. One medium-sized cuke contains only about 45 calories, so you can chomp away guilt-free, but alone they can be kind of a bore. For added flavor and fat-frying, try drizzling them with apple cider vinegar, which has been shown to “switch on” genes that release proteins which break down fat. In a study of 175 overweight Japanese men and women, researchers found that participants who drank 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks significantly lowered their body weight, BMI, visceral fat and waist circumference.

Hot sauce is rich in capsaicin, a compound that’s proven to suppress appetite and boost thermogenesis—the body’s ability to burn fat as energy. A well-cited study by Canadian researchers found that when men ate appetizers with hot sauce (which has zero calories per teaspoon), they ate about 200 fewer calories at later meals than those that did not. Drizzle this fiery condiment over eggs, and fat will sizzle. Eggs are great sources of the weight loss weapon arginine. Researchers found that administering the amino acid to obese women over 12 weeks resulted in a 7-cm average reduction in waist size and a 6.5-pound average weight loss, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements.

In a recent 12-week study, participants who drank 4-5 cups of green tea daily, then did a 25-minute workout, lost an average of two more pounds and more belly fat than exercisers who didn’t drink tea. What’s its magic? The brew contains catechins, a type of antioxidant that triggers the release of fat from fat cells and helps speed the liver’s capacity for turning fat into energy. Are you a nighttime eater? Sip a cup of after dinner. The refreshing flavor sends signals to your brain that quash cravings, then tweaks your taste buds so desserts aren’t quite so tasty. One study published in the Journal of Neurological and Orthopaedic Medicine found that people who sniffed peppermint every two hours lost an average of 5 pounds a month!

Yes, you read that right; you have our permission to eat chips—so long as they are the nutrient-packed variety. We like Beanitos Black Bean Chips because they pack in more protein and fiber than a “regular” crisp. To boost the staying power of your snack, pair the sea salt-sprinkled treats with a 100-calorie pack of guac. Avocado—the primary ingredient in guacamole—packs healthy monounsaturated fats that contain oleic acid, which helps quite feelings of hunger.

Though this creamy and sweet combination tastes indulgent, nutritionally it’s anything but. The raisins in Ezekiel bread provide natural sweetness, which helps nip sugar craving in the bud, while the vitamin B6 and manganese-rich whole grains help boost your mood, making it ideal for afternoon slump snack attacks. The nut butter contributes hunger-busting healthy fats and a solid hit of waist-whittling meat-free protein. To keep excess pounds at bay, be sure to buy varieties free of health-harming hydrogenated oils and added sugar.

Unlike the majority of crackers you’ll find in the grocery store, Triscuit’s Baked Whole Grain variety is made with just three ingredients, of which fiber-rich whole-grain wheat is the most abundant. Low-cost, protein-rich tuna makes for a tasty cracker addition and is a solid source of docosahexaenoic acid. This type of omega-3 down-regulates fat genes in the stomach, preventing fat cells from growing larger and keeping you on track toward your trim-down goal.

In addition to providing healthy fat, fiber and weight-loss fueling protein to your plate, this savory duo is packed with belly-filling water, vitamin A (which helps the body synthesize protein) and magnesium, a mineral that helps boost lipolysis, a process by which your body releases fat from its stores. If you tend to snack away from home, look for single-serving hummus containers, and throw your veggies into a plastic snack bag to reap the benefits on the go.

Crunchy, filling (thanks to their high water and fiber content) and packed with nutrients, apples are one of the best weight loss fruits around. Smearing on all-natural peanut butter adds a creamy texture and slow-digesting, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats to the equation, which keeps your belly satiated until your next meal. Bonus: Peanuts are a top source of genistein and resveratrol, two nutrients that help diminish the action of fat-storage genes.