Really?

When a leading health blog asked me to write down my top 7 tips in creating a lean body for a mum …. my response was “only seven? That is like asking me to pack one pair of shoes for a 7 week holiday!’ But here goes:

1.  Organic green tea: Green tea boosts fat burning, crushes cravings, and helps control your appetite. The theanine, in green tea lowers your stress hormone cortisol and comes with lost of free radical killers called pholyphenolos. Green tea is known to lower risks for chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is thermogenic, which means it, helps us lose weight even when we are at rest!

2.  Salmon: This fish provides a double bang for your buck. It calms inflammation and is so protein dense. So what does that have to do with weight? Inflammation contributes to weight gain and those that are having trouble shifting weight should try a variety of anti-inflammatory foods. Inflammation also contributes to every disease! Yes, every disease. Salmon is not only protein packed so it curbs your appetite but it contains selenium and omega 3 fatty acids.

3.  Organic spinach: This could really be any non-starchy veggie like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, but I wrote spinach because it is so easy to access and eat. Sauté these with olive or coconut oil and a bit of garlic, toss it raw in a salad, or toss it on your sandwich for extra nutrients. Starchy veggies are ok in moderation and best to have them only at breakfast and lunch. Non- starchy are an unlimited food.

4.  Coconut oil and coconut milk: Yes, go the fat and full fat versions of these. This kind of fat will not make you fat but help you burn fat. Both coconut oil and fat contain medium chain triglycerides which studies show help you but fat rather than store it. Cooking fat in coconut oil also will help you absorb Vitamin A, D, E and K from your vegetables. Additional fat burning benefits can created in a morning protein shake made with coconut milk.

5.  Coffee: Coffee is bad for you is a myth. One or two cups of coffee are fine provided that are not loaded with sugar. If you are a coffee drink, opt for organic if you can afford it. Coffee is a heavily pesticide-ridden crop so we don’t know what types of neurotoxins or mycotoxins are in your morning cup. Coffee beans are loaded with antioxidants and can spark so adrenaline, which triggers the release of fatty acids from your fat storage. Most research points to evidence which suggests that coffee is linked to lower weight but also can help in insulin sensitivity.

6.  Avocado: The humble, little green fruit (yes a fruit!) is a fat fighting machine. Avocados are loaded with fat and fibre, both are excellent are reducing hunger. Each avocado contains about 11-17 grams of fibre and delicate nutrients like lutein and beta-sitosterol. Everything tastes better with a bit of avo-guacamole or as a side with any meat or salad.

7.  Protein shake: Try a protein shake for breakfast a few mornings a week and one night a week for dinner to really shedding the kilos. I love real food first, but when it comes to losing the last few kilos a clean, grass fed whey or pea protein does the trick. Blend it with unsweetened coconut or almond milk, flax seeds, avo, frozen berries and maybe some cacao nibs or coconut for a nutrient dense.

Do you have any top foods to add? Share with us in the comments.