8 Ultimate Flat-Belly Summer Foods
As the summer inches closer and the siren call of weekends at the beach grows louder, we have plenty of reasons to slim down.
But with all of the neighborhood barbecues, pool parties, and vacations come a slew of dubious dietary intruders \ it's like the world has become one big surf shack, and we're all grabbing the large fries to go with our crispy clam strips. (And oh, we'll have the small chocolate milk shake with that, to save room for a double scoop waffle cone later. Yes, with the crushed peanut butter cups on top!) Problem is, there couldnft be a worse time to lose control of your diet; showing a little skin is one thing, turning into a jiggle juggernaut quite another.
To combat the nutritional chaos and the extra poundage that comes with the rising mercury, wefve chosen the eight best foods to eat every day. Beyond being packed full of disease-fighting, life-extending nutrients, these foods will also help keep your belly full, because theyfre loaded with fiber and protein, the sultans of satiety.
Find a way to work these potent superfoods into your diet every day, and youfll curb cravings before they hit, crowding out much of the junk we turn to when hunger calls. The result? Well, it could mean saving 600 calories or more a day. Couple that with 30 minutes of moderate exercise, and you can shed as many as 12 pounds in six weeks \ just in time to strut your stuff on the sand!
1. Spinach
It may be green and leafy, but spinach is no nutritional wallflower. This noted muscle-builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the nether regions, helping to protect you against age-related sexual issues. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or a half cup cooked per day.
SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce
FIT IT IN: Make your salads with baby spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip.
2. Yogurt
Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old foodfs health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of reinforcements for the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body. That helps boost your immune system, provides protection against cancer, and even does duty as a cavity-fighter. Not all yogurts are created equal, though, so make sure the label says glive and active cultures.h And watch out for high-fructose corn syrup; stealth sugars are worth avoiding in yogurt and everywhere else.
SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, cottage cheese
FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast \ or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips.
3. Tomatoes
There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because theyfre packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because itfs easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, breast, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice. Plant some now for a health harvest in July and August. This Men's Health video will show you how.
SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava
FIT IT IN: Dress sliced heirloom tomatoes with torn basil and olive oil; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; roast cherry tomatoes and serve over grilled fish or chicken.
4. Carrots
Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids \ fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as a reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis \ but none of them is as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots do. Aim for a half cup a day.
SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango
FIT IT IN: Snack on baby carrots; grate raw carrots into salad; toss a carrot into a breakfast smoothie with frozen mango and OJ; roast carrot chunks with olive oil, salt and cumin.
5. Blueberries
Host to more antioxidants than any other North American fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname gbrain berryh). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, also boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or a half cup frozen or dried.
SUBSTITUTE: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.
FIT IT IN: Mix fresh blueberries into plain yogurt; blend with ice, yogurt, banana, and OJ for a 60-second smoothie; toss with baby spinach, red onions, goat cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette for a summer salad.
6. Black Beans
All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. Thatfs because theyfre full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily half-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat.
SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans
FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with 2 Tbsp olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes.
7. Walnuts
Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut just needs a cape and we could call it a superhero. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts \ about 1 ounce, or seven nuts \ is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack. Keep a can of Planters Nutrition Heart Healthy Mix in your desk drawer or glove compartment, and use them to lead you away from temptation.
SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts
FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; chop and add to pancake batter; mix 1 cup walnuts with a half cup dried blueberries and a quarter cup of dark chocolate chunks.
8. Oats
The original wunderkind of health food, oats garnered the FDAfs first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per half-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-friendly energy.
SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, amaranth, pearly barley
FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving; sprinkle 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt; sub quinoa in for brown rice.
Want to shed a few extra pounds in record time? Commit to knocking off 200 calories of liquids from your diet this summer. (After all, the average American sips more than 400 calories a day!)