Losing weight is no child’s play, although you really ought to be playing like one if you intend to get that summer bod.

There are many factors to be considered; your metabolic rate, body type, lifestyle and – hopefully, you already know this – exercise and diet, that all play their part in the journey.

When it comes to the diet aspect of it, knowledge is power. You have to pay more attention to foods that promote  optimum weight loss and health. If you’ve already thought about a healthier diet, you are off to a good start. Therefore, this is a perfect time for you to be introduced to ‘superfoods’.

What Are Superfoods? 

The buzzword simply refers to foods that are high in nutrients and low in calories, thus being able to promote optimum weight loss the healthy way.  Most superfoods are plant-based, though some are fish and dairy. These foods are generally good for health, as many of them contain extra antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, as well as compounds that can help you burn fat much faster. All these factors make them brilliant fitness companions!

10 Superfoods You Should Know About 

APPLES

An apple a day keeps more than just the doctor away.

These delicious fruits are a good source of antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. They also happen to be rich in fibre and potassium, which means they can keep you feeling fuller for longer periods.

All of that comes at just 47 calories, on average, for an apple! What’s more, increasing the consumption has been associated with the reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and, amongst others, certain cancers, according to Greatist.com

GREEN TEA

Photo: Jason Leung

Green tea is not considered the healthiest beverage on earth for nothing!

The calorie-free tea is packed with antioxidants and nutrients, making it essential for improving your health. Some well-known health benefits associated with the consumption of green tea include weight loss, brain function, lowered risk of cancer, improved physical performance, and more.

BLUEBERRIES

Berries, in general, are miracle fruits for your health! See why they appear on our Top 10 Smoothie Ingredients list. But more to the point, blueberries bear more proof that good things really do come in small packages.

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According to WebMD, Blueberries contain plenty of antioxidants and phytoflavinoids. They are also high in potassium (associated with lower cholesterol and regulated heartbeat) and Vitamin C (may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, potentially lower heart disease risk, lower blood pressure), both which are part of the reason blueberries are highly favoured by doctors and nutritionists.

GRAPEFRUIT 

This sweet and sour tropical citrus fruit is nutritious and rich in antioxidants and fibre, all which make it rank pretty high on any superfoods list.

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Like a few of the other superfoods in this list, grapefruit can help with the lessening risk of heart disease, and for weight loss. Amongst many health benefits, grapefruit can also help prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.

ALMONDS 

If you are going to be snacking while eyeing a goal waistline, almonds are your perfect go-to. As far as nuts go, almonds have the highest nutritional concentration per calorie. Known for lowering cholesterol, these nuts a powerful source of potassium, calcium, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous and iron.

OLIVE OIL 

The US Food & Drug Administration reported two daily tablespoons of olive oil may lead to the lessening of heart disease risk, thanks to the monounsaturated fat content. Virgin Oil is also the far healthier alternative to the artery-clogging fats in butter, by far. The healthy monounsaturated fats contained in Olive Oil may help reduce the risk of heart disease, promote good cholesterol and regulate blood sugar.

POMEGRANATE SEEDS 

Pomegranates are stunning and the seeds look even more enticing! But that’s just the start. Like the other superfoods here, these fruits are low in calories (234 calories in an entire pomegranate), high in nutrients, and contain antioxidants.

BANANA

Bananas are dense in fibre and potassium, which means they can keep feeling full for a good while, and also give you energy. This is why they are a good pre and post workout snack. The sweet fruits are also packed with impressive amounts of vitamins C and B6. These highly nutritious yummies can help reduce blood pressure and help battle hypertension.

AVOCADO

You know it was only a matter of time before avocado appeared on this list! The delicious comes with a whole host of health, beauty, hair, skin and weight loss benefits, amongst other things. Avocados have a lot of fibre, folate, potassium, vitamin E and magnesium. The fat is on the high side, it’s the healthy kind you absolutely need.

Photo Credit: James Sutton

Kale is a superfood but lentils are considered better, but we aren’t for that petty conversation. They are affordable, easy to work with, and vegetarian/ vegan-friendly. They are high in protein and other essential nutrients.

Sources:

Self.com

Chiquita.com

Healthline.com