Oct 30, 2008 11:37 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Lose Weight With 'Superfoods'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Shedding pounds is far from easy.
Tiny meals and hunger pangs are enough to dissuade even the most determined dieter.
But self-deprivation may not be necessary – imagine if you could actually eat more to lose weight.
Alejandra Myerston has shed a number of pounds and even after gastric bypass surgery, one of her favorite foods is still on the menu.
"Oatmeal, I like very much – I used to like it before the surgery," Myerston said. "But I can only have the real oatmeal, not the sugared kind."
Oatmeal tops the list of so-called "superfoods" for weight loss – they help you drop pounds by revving your metabolism and keeping cravings at bay.
"Oats have a cholesterol-lowering property," Rebecca Solomon, nutritionist at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, said.
If you're trying to slim down, have an egg.
"People that eat an egg in the morning with their whole wheat toast, rather than just a smear of cream cheese or jelly on their toast, actually end up eating less for the rest of the day," Solomon said.
Chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin which can perk up your metabolism.
There are several other foods that can help you lose weight: kale, wild salmon, apples, buckwheat pasta, quinoa, and almond butter.
"The first thing I was thinking about was blueberries," West Village resident Eden Lopez said. "I always have heard that they're really high in antioxidants."
Blueberries are another good weight loss choice, along with yogurt, parmesan cheese, tarragon, avocado, and olive oil.
Sardines are loaded with healthy Omega 3's, which help maintain lean muscle – and muscle burns more calories than fat.
"Fruits are really important," Upper West Side resident Alexza Tecroix said. "[Eat] as many fruits and vegetables as you can."
Fruits like pomegranates and goji berries are low-calorie, high-fiber ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.
A recent study found that, in women who are trying to lose weight, those who include red meat in their diet lose more than those who don't.
"Lentils are part of the bean group, and I can have all kinds of beans," Myerston said. "I can have lentils."
Lentils have been called a bonafide belly-flattener. The soluble fiber stabilizes blood sugar levels, helping to prevent fat buildup.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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