Fat-Burning Fruits

The majority of us have heard that is it suggested for our own health being to consume at least 5 different sorts of vegetables and/ or fruits daily (aka 5-a-Day). Recent science has even suggested at least 7-a-Day as apparently 5 is not enough. I don’t know about you but for me it’s difficult to stick to this due to my busy life schedule, even though my body will hate me later once I’m “older”... >.<

Hence, it is important to eat smart. Our times per day are limited. A day has 24h (even though, I sometimes wish it has more) on average we spend 8h for sleep; 8h for work/ school; 8h for us (social life, cooking, spa, gym etc.).

We all go to the gym for 

1. getting in shape / being healthy and fit but also
2. to lose/ maintain weight.

Hence, it’s important to eat smart calories by integrating the recommended 7-a-day within our lose weight/ fitness plan.

How to achieve this? By consuming more of these below :)

Blueberries

Blueberries help you battle body fat while decreasing cardiovascular disease and risk of diabetes. In a study by University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center rats reduced their belly fat by 2 percent when consuming a small amount of blueberries every day.

The results are linked to high percentage of high antioxidants that rid your body of toxins that lead to weight gain and other health problems. Adding blueberries to yogurt of a bowl of cereal is an easy way to incorporate them into your diet.

Coconut

Coconuts contain medium chain triglycerides (MCFA) that raise the metabolic rate of the liver up to 30 percent.

They are also a sweet and filling snack that you can replace with other junk food cravings. You can try coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut flour, coconut water or unsweetened shredded coconut. Dried coconut is also a tasty snack and can be added to all kinds of recipes to add a little flavour.

Try adding coconut milk to a cup of coffee for a sweet and tasty treat.

Avocados

Avocado nutrients have fat that tell your body to stop spiking blood sugar. Spikes in blood sugar cause your body to store extra fat, and excess fat on our bodies is something that we all want to avoid.

Keep in mind these fruits are calorie and fat heavy, so just one combined with a meal is plenty for a day. Try adding a slice or two to a salad. You can also try making some spicy guacamole with jalapeno peppers. Incidentally jalapenos burn fat as well :)

Tomatoes

These fruits are packed with a whole lot of vitamin c and phytonutrients that both are fat killer. Vitamin C is what enables our bodies to burn fat that is already stored with exercise. The phytonutrient caretenoid serves as an antioxidant for our body that helps with losing weight and cardiovascular health.

Try slicing up a fresh tomato then drizzling olive oil and vinegar on top for a savoury and light snack.

Apples and Pears

Apple and pears help you lose weight in two different and very effective ways. Both fruits are packed with fiber that helps increase the metabolic rate and stay full in between meals. The second way they help is by adding pectin to a diet. Pectin actually restricts cells from taking in fat and it helps cells absorb water.

Try slicing an apple or pear up in the morning then caring it in a baggy for a quick snack when you are on the go.

Grapefruit

Grapefruits contain the antioxidant naringenin which evens out insulin levels.

This is a way of warding off the infamous hunger pains while allowing the body to burn fat more easily. You can just cut a grapefruit in half then enjoy it with a spoon for a quick snack that is fun to eat.

Bananas

Bananas are filled with healthy fibers that help curb appetite and make the body burn fat. The indigestible fibers in bananas, or a resistant starch, block carbs from being absorbed by the body. This makes the body burn fat as energy instead of the carbs.

The potassium in bananas helps build muscle that will in turn burn fat. A triple threat we love our yellow banana friends. You can try making a simple banana shake with yogurt, milk, bananas and ice for a healthy and cold treat.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice is filled with antioxidants that get rid of the unwanted toxins in our body. The types of antioxidants in pomegranates are polyphenols, and these antioxidants boost the body’s metabolism according to a study from the University of California. To top it off they stop arterial lipid build-up and lower the appetite.

Try drinking a glass of pomegranate juice with a meal, or making a pomegranate milkshake. If the taste is a little too strong for you, you can try cutting it with water :)

I hope you have enjoyed reading this. So, next time you do food shopping, don’t forget to add any of these items into you basket. 

Happy week-end everyone! Stay healthy. Stay fit. Stay beautiful (inside & outside)!

Lisa xoxo

Drink Water on Empty Stomach

The first thing what my parents do in the morning is drinking a glass of lukewarm water. They told me I should do the same. However, when I was younger, I never really understood the health benefit behind all these. My mum simply said it’s good for your body. It cleans your stomach. Plus, re-hydrate your body from the previous night. On average people sleep for about 8 hours and during that time the majority of us, don’t drink. But I am sure you have heard that our body also burns calories during sleep :) 

As our body is working non-stop we should always try to keep it hydrated. On average everyone should drink during winter time 2litre water (minimum) and during the summer time 3-4litre water (minimum). 

Anyway, water can is very important for us. 

Did you know that it can cure many diseases like:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

Based on scientific tests – one should follow the following method of treatment:

1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:

1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily.

So, even if you don’t feel thirsty – try to drink one glass of water each hour. 

Lisa xoxo

Top Six Reasons You Should Not Skip Breakfast

I made a similar post about the importance of eating breakfast last year, which can be found here. However, this post will highlight some important information of having a full breakfast each morning :)

I know everyone has heard this many times. Me too since I was a child from my parents but I often forgot to do this, but, it is fact that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’, even though many people skip this meal (sometimes – including me). Most people have very busy schedules, and that leaves little time to eat breakfast. However, you should try your best to eat a nutritious meal before you start your day. There are a number of benefits that you can reap from eating breakfast.

1. Energy Boost
If you feel sluggish in the morning, then a nutritious breakfast can give you the energy that you need to get through your day. Fibre, vitamin C and vitamin D are just a few of the many nutrients that will help increase your energy level. Whole wheat toast with eggs and an orange is an example of a nutritious breakfast.

2. Help You Focus Better 
It will be much easier for you to focus on work or school if your stomach is full. On the other hand, you will have a harder time focusing if you skip breakfast. When you are hungry, it is hard to think about anything else except for food.

3. Prevent You from Gaining Weight 
Researchers have found that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight. When you skip breakfast, you are much more likely to overeat during lunch and dinner. Additionally, you encourage your body to store calories when you skip breakfast.

4. Boost Your Metabolism 
Your metabolism has a tendency to decrease when you go to sleep. Eating breakfast helps you jumpstart your metabolism. A faster metabolism will allow you to burn more calories throughout the day. That is another reason why regular breakfast eaters usually weigh less.
 

5. Help Decrease Your LDL Cholesterol 
Your LDL cholesterol is better known as the “bad” type of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol builds up in your arteries and can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Studies have shown that eating breakfast regularly can help lower LDL cholesterol.

6. Prevent Heart Attacks 
A new study done by Harvard School of Public Health has shown that people who skip breakfast may be at a greater risk for having a heart attack. Skipping breakfast increases the risk of high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, which are all heart disease risk factors. Therefore, you may be able to reduce your risk of having a heart attack if you eat breakfast. It is very important for you to make time for your morning meal. A healthy breakfast will increase your metabolism, boost your energy, help you focus and lower your bad cholesterol. It can also prevent you from gaining weight and reduce your risk of having a heart attack.

Lisa xoxo

Always Switch Mobile Phone Off During Sleep

In the past (as far as I remember since I got my first phone during high school time...), I always used to sleep with my mobile phone next to me and ON >.< I wish I would have listened to my mum back then… but then again, it’s never too late to change ones bad habit ;) 

Lisa xoxo