Have you heard of the new it-term for the best-for-you foods? In the new book The South beach Diet Wake-Up Call: 7 Real-Life Strategies for Living Your Healthiest Life Ever, cardiologist Arthur Agatson, MD, shares his list of the best foods for you.
These "MegaFoods", basically superfoods that are going to help you lose weight, pump up your immune system and do all kinds of good things for your body, are a great way to improve your overall health while also dropping the weight. Adding one of these 8 Latin "MegaFoods" to your diet is a sure-fire way to reap all of the heart-health and other benefits, including losing weight thanks to an added dose of protein, fiber and antioxidants in each of these foods. So, what are you waiting for? Let's power up our weight loss with each of these!
Read more in ¿Qué más? 8 Reasons mami was right to make you eat your veggies!
Avocados
Along with serving up some other healthy fats like avocado oil, olive oil and peanut oil, avocados have been found to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower bad cholesterol. Plus, they’re a good source of the B vitamin folate, potassium and magnesium! However, they’re still high in calories and should be eaten in moderation.
Beans & Lentils
Love your black beans? Great! They’re loaded with protein and plenty of fiber, plus disease-fighting phytonutrients. The best thing about them is that they slow the digestive process, which helps to keep you full longer and stops you from reaching for the next meal too fast. For the best results, reach for a half cup of kidney beans or garbanzo beans for 7 grams of fiber!
Coffee
Did you know that drinking caffeinated beverages, in moderation of course, can actually reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes? A typical serving of caffeinated coffee have more antioxidants than grape juice and orange juice! Plus, you can add tea to the healthy beverage list, since it can help lower bad cholesterol. Even better, though, opt for green tea because it contains catechins, which may help promote exercise-induced abdominal fat loss. Woo hoo!
Dark Chocolate
As if we need another excuse to add chocolate to our diets?! Well, eating dark chocolate in moderation can actually help lower blood pressure, plus protect against certain forms of cancer. Opt for chocolate that has at least 70% cacao (since that means it has less sugar!) and enjoy the health-boosting benefits of the sweet treat.
Pepitas
All edible seeds, including sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and flaxseeds, are good for you. Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are a favorite because they are rich in zinc, which is a potential immune-system booster. Enjoy them in moderation by sprinkling some on top of your salad or adding it to your dinner’s veggie side dish.
Quinoa
Can I sing its praises enough? Quinoa, along with other whole grains like brown rice, oats, wheat, barley and more) have been proven to lower the risk of diabetes by stabilizing blood sugar and controlling insulin production. Plus, quinoa is full of fiber and protein, which makes it a great option to keep you full longer throughout the day. Personally, I love to have a healthy quinoa salad for lunch.
Red Wine
Having a glass of red wine with dinner may be one of the smartest things you do all day, since it contains a phytonutrient that protects against artery-damaging bad cholesterol. Plus, red wine might help protect against cancer and type 2 diabetes. Who doesn’t love that? Let’s drink up! In moderation, of course.
Sweet Potatoes
I love boniato, which is why I was so excited to see the it on this list of veggies that are rich in Vitamin C, calcium and potassium. Opt for sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and butternut squash to get the full benefits of lowering bad cholesterol, high blood pressure and even fighting cataracts as well as age-related macular degeneration. Plus, they can even boost your resistance to cold and infections! Yum.
