Good Foods to Eat!

According to the April 2012 issue of Reader's Digest here is a list of foods that will not only help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, boost energy, but all claims to speed weight loss!  Who can say no to that right?
The interesting thing about this list is that it doesn't contain many CRAZY foods that are only found at health food stores.  Most of these food can be found at your local Walmart!  Go figure!

The list!
Calcium:
- Greens
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Brazil nuts
- Parmesan Cheese
- Swiss Cheese
- Feta Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese

They also suggest that the resveratrol (found in red wine) is also a fat releaser too! - in moderation of course!


Protein:
- Beans
- Nuts
- Steak
- Eggs
- Lentils
- Poultry
- fish such as Salmon and Lobster

Vitamin C:
- Broccoli
- rabe
- escarole
- citrus fruits
- red pepper
- cantaloupe
- kiwi
- strawberries

Fiber:
- Lettuce greens (dark green are preferable like Romaine and Spinach)
- Carrots
- Tomatoes

Others mentioned in the article:
- Coconut Oil
- Olives
- Olive oil
- Seeds
- Dark Chocolate
- Avacado
- Quinoa
- Honey (especially as a substitute for sugar)
- Cocoa
- Vinegar (red wine vinegar, cider vinegar, etc.) - also help you feel full
- Garlic
- Rosemary
- Ricotta Cheese
- Black Pepper
- Almonds

Now! If you can't find some combination of these foods - then check back to our recipes where we use many of them for ideas!

Daily Meal Plan Idea:


Breakfast:  1 serving of Greek Yogurt with cantaloupe, kiwi/strawberries with a drizzle of honey and a
                   hard-boiled egg
Snack:  10 almonds
Lunch:  1/2 of an avocado on a corn tortilla with chopped tomatoes, feta cheese, sea salt & black pepper
Snack:  Fruit (such as an orange) with seeds/nuts and a few carrots
Dinner:  Grilled/baked Salmon or comparable fish seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, garlic, and    
               rosemary - with Quinoa with olive oil and a side of steamed broccoli
After Dinner Delight:  Dark Chocolate Chips

*This is just one example of how you can add in these suggested foods to highlight your meals and speed up weight loss and maintain a healthy lifestyle!  I realize it is hard to stay away from refined sugars and carbohydrates - I love good moist cake, skittles, and apple pie as much as the next person, but research shows these should be used in moderation.  Let yourself enjoy these weekly but in small portions.  I guarantee if you add some of these food choices above into your meals you will feel healthier and happier!

Have a happy and healthy Monday!