Liz Vaccariello, author of The Digest Diet, explains how you can lose weight fast by eating foods you already shop for.
I remember pouring over the astonishing research on MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) for Flat Belly Diet! and feeling so excited that I had stumbled upon a nutrient that helped the body shed fat. I feel the same way now for The Digest Diet, our New York Times best-selling book and plant, as I learn about the fat releasing properties of vitamin C, calcium and dairy, protein, and more—that certain foods, actions, and activities can gently shift your body into fat release mode. Let’s start with calcium and dairy.
Calcium
Your mom told you to drink your milk because its calcium was good for your bones. What she probably didn’t know: That same calcium also helps control your hunger. Research shows that people who don’t consume enough of this bone-building mineral have a greater fat mass and less control of their appetite—two things The Digest Diet can help you reverse.
Dairy
Yes, dairy is an excellent source of calcium, but I’ve singled it out because studies have found that dairy sources of calcium are markedly more effective in accelerating fat loss than other sources. Researchers theorize that other ingredients in dairy act synergistically with the calcium. (I love the two-for-one nature of this fat releaser!)
In one study out of the University of Tennessee, researchers showed that eating three servings of dairy daily significantly reduced body fat in obese subjects. And if subjects restricted calories while consuming the same dairy servings, fat and weight loss accelerated.
There’s more! A great study done in 2010 indicated that drinking fat-free milk immediately after whole-body resistance training and again one hour after the workout allowed participants to increase fat loss, gain greater muscle and strength, and strengthen bones by reducing bone cell turnover. Drink milk and get all these amazing benefits? Sign me up!
Coconut Oil
While The Digest Diet recommends keeping saturated fat intake to under 10 percent of total calories, one source sits at the top of the “should enjoy” list: coconut oil.
Why? This sweet, rich oil was shown to do some pretty nifty things for abdominally obese women in a 2009 study out of Brazil, including decreasing their waist circumference, increasing beneficial HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and improving the ratio of “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) to “good” HDL cholesterol. And in populations where coconut oil is commonly eaten, high cholesterol levels and heart disease are not common.
MUFAs
In 2006, I uncovered exciting research suggesting that monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, helped people store less belly fat. Eating a diet rich in olives, olive oil, nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, and avocado has kept my belly lean and my energy up for years! These healthy fats are a mainstay of my diet.
PUFAs
During my dive into the current research, I came across a small study from the Netherlands that suggests we should also enjoy polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs, found in fish and in many nuts and seeds. In this study, consumption of a high ratio of PUFAs to saturated fats led to a higher resting metabolism, as well as a greater diet-induced calorie burn.
But one clarification: Our focus will be primarily on long-chain n-3 PUFAs, commonly known as omega-3s. Researchers theorize that the weight-loss benefits of omega-3s may be a result of their anti-inflammatory effects (inflammation in the body has been strongly linked to obesity). I also love the fact that these healthy fats are associated with protection from cardiovascular disease and enhanced mood.
Protein
I’m fond of this macro nutrient powerhouse for so many reasons: It promotes healthy skin, hair, nails, bones, and muscle. It’s also a fabulous weight-loss aid, according to a 2005 study from Arizona State University. Protein increased satiety (satisfaction and feelings of fullness) and increased after-meal calorie burn. In other words, eating protein-rich meals, rather than higher-carbohydrate ones, leads to more satisfaction, less hunger, and more fat burn. I love that: three benefits in one. Earlier research also found that people following higher-protein diets generally decrease their food intake by an average of 10 percent (about 200 calories).
Vitamin C
You’ve heard for years to stock up on your C to fend off colds, but are you aware of the vitamin’s reputation as a weight-loss aid? Research suggests that the bodies of folks who are deficient in vitamin C cling more stubbornly to fat. In 2008, researchers in Quebec reviewed a stack of studies to find what they called “unsuspected determinants of obesity.”
Their review linked less-than-ideal intakes of particular micro nutrients to an increased likelihood of being overweight. They identified deficiencies in vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E as risk factors for having a higher percentage of body fat and belly fat.
Vinegar
The surprise here? The vinegar that comes along for the ride in salad dressing also helps you feel full. Research has shown that vinegar can lessen the glycemic effect of a meal (meaning it tends not to spike your blood sugar), which has been linked to satiety that reduces food intake. Vinegar may also prevent body-fat accumulation, according to a 2009 animal study by Japanese researchers. Mice that were fed acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, for six weeks accumulated less body fat.
Whether you eat fiber and vinegar together or not, know that they are great tools to have on hand whenever you feel the need to tame your appetite and turn on fat burning controls. If you’re not a fan of salad, there are plenty of other sources.
Fiber
Throughout the years, various weight-loss researchers have recommended starting a meal with a salad to stave off hunger and ensure that you don’t overeat. But why does this work exactly? One reason is that salads are a great source of fiber: lettuce greens, carrots, tomatoes, and the like all have plenty of this macronutrient. Fiber’s effects on increasing feelings of satiety are well documented.
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