Gaining weight is a natural occurrence with aging, but some foods actually help in the battle of the bulge, rather than contributing to it. Many of these foods also help ward age-related illnesses as well.
Water
It may seem like a no brainer, but switching your sweetened drink for good old-fashioned water saves a lot of calories. In studies, water drinkers dropped more weight than those who didn't. The carbonation of soda may also contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis.
Fiber
Fiber is filling and it can help you save a lot of calories in the long run. Load up on fiber cereals and watch the pounds melt away. Just be sure to watch the sugar. Granola and cereals boosted with fiber often contain excessive amounts of sugar. At lunch and dinner, have some beans. Lentil, chili with beans, ham and bean, and black bean each have between 6 and 10 g of fiber per cup.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is high in fiber and healthy fats, helping you feel full and satisfied. If you find flaxseed difficult to digest, ground flaxseed can be easier. Sprinkle it on your favorite foods for an extra boost.
Spices
Skip the fat laden mayo and the sugar laden ketchup and use some hot sauce. Spicy foods are thought to rev up the metabolism, helping you burn fat without hopping on the treadmill.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has sweeter health benefits of sugar, offering no calories and possibly helping to lower cholesterol levels.
Salmon
In addition to brain boosting omegas, canned salmon also contains vitamin D and calcium, which are not only aids in warding off bone loss, but have also been found to help prevent weight gain in studies of menopausal women. Vitamin D may help regulate appetite hormones.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and offer more fiber than your typical baking potato.
Greens
Add a salad before your meal to help fill you up on extra fiber as well as nutrients. Use some spinach to get your daily dose of iron and additional fiber.
Eggs
Eggs not only pack essential nutrients, they also pack a lot of protein into their shells. Starting the day out with an egg is thought to decrease the total amount of calories you will consume throughout the day.
Skim milk
Switching to skim milk isn't easy, but it is worth it. Milk contains protein as well as CLA, which helps fight fat.
Water
It may seem like a no brainer, but switching your sweetened drink for good old-fashioned water saves a lot of calories. In studies, water drinkers dropped more weight than those who didn't. The carbonation of soda may also contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis.
Fiber
Fiber is filling and it can help you save a lot of calories in the long run. Load up on fiber cereals and watch the pounds melt away. Just be sure to watch the sugar. Granola and cereals boosted with fiber often contain excessive amounts of sugar. At lunch and dinner, have some beans. Lentil, chili with beans, ham and bean, and black bean each have between 6 and 10 g of fiber per cup.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is high in fiber and healthy fats, helping you feel full and satisfied. If you find flaxseed difficult to digest, ground flaxseed can be easier. Sprinkle it on your favorite foods for an extra boost.
Spices
Skip the fat laden mayo and the sugar laden ketchup and use some hot sauce. Spicy foods are thought to rev up the metabolism, helping you burn fat without hopping on the treadmill.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has sweeter health benefits of sugar, offering no calories and possibly helping to lower cholesterol levels.
Salmon
In addition to brain boosting omegas, canned salmon also contains vitamin D and calcium, which are not only aids in warding off bone loss, but have also been found to help prevent weight gain in studies of menopausal women. Vitamin D may help regulate appetite hormones.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and offer more fiber than your typical baking potato.
Greens
Add a salad before your meal to help fill you up on extra fiber as well as nutrients. Use some spinach to get your daily dose of iron and additional fiber.
Eggs
Eggs not only pack essential nutrients, they also pack a lot of protein into their shells. Starting the day out with an egg is thought to decrease the total amount of calories you will consume throughout the day.
Skim milk
Switching to skim milk isn't easy, but it is worth it. Milk contains protein as well as CLA, which helps fight fat.
