Speed Your Weight Loss - Eat More Fiber

Getting enough fiber?

When you think about fiber-filled foods, do images of cardboard, hardtack and bulgar wheat come to mind?

Your body needs fiber to function at it’s best, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Fiber fills you up quickly, controls your appetite and keeps you feeling full - all things that will aid in your weight loss efforts. Most people consume less than 10 grams and only 5% of the population is getting the recommended amount of 25 to 35 grams. Just adding another 10 grams of fiber to your diet each day can dramatically speed your weight loss.

Here are four fiber-rich foods that you can add to your diet and watch the pounds disappear.

Avocados - Each avocado contains 12 grams of fiber and is packed with heart-healthy good fats. Avocados are great sliced over beans and rice, added to a sandwich or on top on Mexican food.

Pears - Every pear contains 5 grams of fiber. Pack a pear for a mid-afternoon pickup or add them to a pizza with walnuts and gorgonzola.

Popcorn - Each cup of popcorn contains 4 grams of fiber. Try airpopping - you’ll get all of the whole grain goodness without the calories of microwaved popcorn.

Lentils - Lentils have 16 grams of fiber in every cup. Try lentil soup with avocados or curried lentils over rice.

Boost Your Metabolism with Spicy Foods

Did you know that you can give your metabolism a boost and improve your weight loss efforts just by eating the hot and heavy stuff?

If you are a fan of salsa, jalapenos, green chili and other foods that make your sweat, indulging in your spicy favorites can help you lose a few more pounds. Studies have shown that eating hot and spicy foods can boost your metabolism by as much as 50%, and the extra calorie burn lasts for three hours!

Loading up on spicy foods can help you lose weight in other ways, too.  Cuisines where spicy foods are typically found - Indian and Thai foods in particular - are rich and filling, but low in calories due to their heavy use of vegetables, legumes, peppers and lean protein.

Some other healthy and easy ways to spice up your life: Try salsa on your scrambled eggs, hot sauce on your potatoes or add some cayenne or paprika to steamed vegetables. Get Spicy!

Drink Up to Lose Weight

Drink More Water

We’ve all heard that we should drink plenty of water. The benefits are well known. Water removes toxins from your system by flushing out all the bad stuff, it keeps our muscles hydrated and supple and improves skin tone and elasticity. But did you know that water helps your body burn calories?  Even at low levels of dehydration, your metabolism slows down and uses fewer calories. Studies have shown that people who drink eight or more glasses of water every day burn far more calories than those who drank four or less glasses per day.

Water also helps you lose weight by controlling your hunger and filling you up. Try drinking a glass of water or iced tea 10 minutes before every meal or snack. You’ll eat less and consume fewer calories, both which will help your weight loss efforts.

Drink To Your Health!