Weighty Wednesday

Flat-belly foods

Quinoa
..... Researchers at Penn State have found that dieters who choose whole grains lose twice as much belly fat as those who stick with white-flour products, even though they consume the same number of calories.

Green tea
..... Catechins, the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, are known to increase metabolism. A study by Japanese researchers found that participants who consumed 690 milligrams of catechins from green tea daily had significantly lower body mass indexes and smaller waist measurements than those in a control group.

Kefir
..... this delicious dairy product is a belly-blasting essential. Beyond the satiety-inducing protein, the probiotics in kefir may also speed weight loss. British scientists found that these active organisms boosted the breakdown of fat molecules in mice, preventing the rodents from gaining weight. The researchers still need to prove the finding in humans...

Avocado
..... These delicious treats are loaded with monounsaturated fats (also found in olive oil), which have been linked to weight loss and lowered LDL cholesterol levels. Studies show that a healthy-fat Mediterranean diet is more effective than a diet that avoids fats altogether.

Eggs
..... A British study found that people who increased the percentage of protein-based calories in their diet burned 71 more calories a day (that's 7.4 pounds a year!).

Grapefruit
..... A grapefruit a day in addition to your regular meals can speed weight loss. The fruit's acidity slows digestion, meaning it takes longer to move through your system, and you'll end up feeling fuller, and more satisfied, for longer. And the vitamin C-packed grapefruit works to lower cholesterol and decrease risk of stroke, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

Thanks to Eat This Not That and Women's Health magazine for much of this information.