It's True! Weight Loss Can Be Easy and Delicious

If you are working on weight loss and went without food for 1 week, you would lose 1 lb a day. If you eat these whole foods you can lose up to 2 lbs a day. Why? Because these foods take more calories to digest than they give the body.

I know what you are thinking right now…celery and carrot sticks…Well celery and carrot sticks are good, but you may be very surprised to find some of your favorite foods are also on the list.

Vitamins and Minerals
When creating an enviroment for weight loss, it is very important that you have the right amounts of nutrients in your body. It has been scientifically proven that people who are over weight do not have the right amount of vitamins and minerals in their body. Once that balance is found weight loss is natural and effortless. That means instead of eating less, eating more is important. In fact the more you eat the faster you will shed extra pounds. Eating whole foods is the key to a healthy body.

Let’s start with vitamins and minerals. All vitamins and minerals are important. Most fruits and vegetables contain more than one. Researchers have found that most overweight people are lacking in these vitamins and minerals, so these are especially important when trying to lose weight.

Potassium
An important mineral for the body, it not only helps regulate the sodium in the cells, but it helps build muscle and release fat, using it as energy. Most fruits and vegetables contain traces of potassium but the best are:

Citrus fruits
Apricots
Apples
Cantaloupe
Tomatoes
Watercress
Leafy green vegetables
Sunflower seeds

Fiber
It's important to keep the bowels moving and clean out the intestines. The digestive system can then better assimilate nutrients we are giving our bodies. Fiber also gives a feeling of fullness. For example, an apple is more filling then apple juice. Good fibrous foods include:

Brown rice
Beans
Fruits
Vegetables
Oats
Barley
Whole grains

Magnesium
Magnesium is important for calcium and potassium metabolism, and for many other process in the body. Muscle weakness can be a sign of magnesium deficiency. Good sources of magnesium can be found in these foods:

Fresh Water Fish-especially Salmon
Apples
Apricots
Brown rice
Cantaloupe
Garlic
Grapefruit
Green leafy vegetables
Lemons
Peaches
Sesame seeds
Watercress
Whole grains

Calcium
It not only helps build strong bones and muscles, but it is also important for weight loss. Calcium helps active enzymes one of which is lipase which breaks down fats. Nutritionalists believe a lack of the right amount of calcium in the body can cause the body to hold on to fat. Then, once the substantial amounts of calcium are attained the body easily releases the extra fat.

Calcium can only exist in the body with phosphorus in a two to one ratio. Most whole foods that contain calcuim also contian phosphorus. Calcium also needs vitamin D to be absorbed. One daily dose of vitamin D can be obtained in 20 minutes exposure to the sun. This is why a weight loss regimine of walking outside each day is so beneficial.

Most people believe dairy products are the best source of calcium. There are better sources within our food many of which have phosphorus in them too. If you have to eat dairy an organic non-sweetened yogurt is best. Foods highest in calcium are:

Fresh Water Salmon
Soy
Blackstrap molasses
Sardines
Walnuts
Sunflower seeds
Kale
Broccoli
Collard greens
Leafy green vegetables
Almonds
Asparagus
Cabbage
Kelp
Oats
Prunes
Sesame seeds
Mustard greens
Watercress

Vitamin C
It's essential for adrenal gland function. That small gland helps to speed up the metabolism.

It also aids in the production of an anti-stress hormone. When the body is under stress, for any reason, even if it’s an imbalance of nutrition, the body it will kick into “hold on to fat” mode. It’s a natural response and is for our benefit (unless you are trying to fit into that swimsuit you bought last year) so it’s better not to fight it.

The more you understand your body, the more you can more easily work WITH it to get the results you want. Foods high in vitamin C are:

Citrus fruits
Berries
Green vegetables
Asparagus
Beet greens
Black currants
Broccoli
Cantaloupe
Collards
Grapefruit
Kale
Mangos
Onions
Sweet peppers
Spinach
Tomatoes
Turnip greens
Watercress

Chromium
It has become very popular in weight loss, because it is involved in the metabolism of glucose and reduces sugar cravings. However, only small amounts are needed, 150 mcg daily is all it takes That’s 15% of a gram. Chromium can be produced in the body by taking a brisk walk. Food sources of chromium are:

Brown rice
Whole grains
Mushrooms
Blackstrap molasses

nuts, essential fatty acids, Vitamin F, Omega 3, Omega 6

Essential Fatty Acids
Also called Vitamin F or Omega-3 and Omega-6 They are the building blocks for fats and oils. Contrary to what most people believe, we need fat in our diet. We must consume these oils in there natural state, once subjected to heat it destroys the fatty acid, so make sure you buy cold pressed oils and raw nuts. For a 2,000 calorie diet, two tablespoons of oil are sufficient. Good sources of essential fatty acids are:

Raw nuts
Seeds
Legumes
Unsaturated vegetable oil
Fresh Water Fish especially Salmon
Fish oil
Flax seed oil
Grape seed oil
Primrose oil
Black currant seed oil

Lecithin
Lecithin is a lipid that is makes up every cell of the body. It also acts as an emulsifier. It allows fat to be more easily removed from the body. Heling the body to lose weight and shed pounds faster. Lecithin can be found in:

Whole grains
Legumes
Feash Water Fish
Wheat germ

Kelp
Kelp is seaweed. But don't let that scare you. It can be use in a variety of ways; it can be eaten raw, it can also be dried and used in soups and on salads. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, including iodine which is helpful for the thyroid in regulating the amount of fat the body stores. Kelp is listed in many of the vitamins and minerals groups on this website.

Thermogenic Whole Foods and Herbs
Thermogenic Herbs are herbs that cause the metabolic rate to go up. The higher our metabolism the more calories we burn. The faster we see weight loss. This happens when we exercise, or when we are cold. Regularly eating thermogenic herbs can raise our metabolism and force our bodies to burn more calories. Some whole foods and herbs include:

Chili
Brindleberry
Bitter orange
Hot peppers
Butchers broom
Cardamom
Cayenne
Cinnamon
Ginger
Mustard seed

Spirulina
Is a micro algae packed with protein. It helps heal and clean out the body. It is an appetite suppressant and stabilizes blood sugar levels. It comes in tablets and is found in many protein drinks. 4 or 5 tablets is great to snack on in between meals for weight loss. Or sipping on a shake throughout the day is a little tastier, and keeps your cravings low for junk food.

wheatgrass, weight loss, vitamins, minerals Wheatgrass
Another great way to get lots of vitamins and minerals as well as many trace elements into the body, helping to shed those extra pounds.

Wheat grass can be eaten raw, but it’s best juiced. Only one ounce a day, is great for weight loss. Some people call it the ultimate weight loss secret, because it does have so many vitamins and minerals. Personally I think that it is live enzymes that give our bodies life, leaving it free to shed those extra pounds.

The body is so amazing! When it has the right nutrients, in the right amounts, it will heal itself and give us our perfect weight.

These whole foods and herbs, with the exception of the oils and fish take more calories to digest then they give the body. All of them are good to eat on The Whole Food Diet. Look for delicious recipes in the coming weeks.

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