Want to get in shape for the beach? Then it’s just about time to do something about it. Summer is around the corner, but you can still lose those extra pounds. Small diet changes can make a big difference. Swapping soda for water, ditching the sugar, and using less salt are just a few things you can do to slim down. Here are four easy steps to get a summer body:
Eat More Fiber
Dietary fiber keeps your blood sugar stable and helps eliminate waste from your system. It also slows sugar absorption into your body and fills you up quickly. High-fiber foods, such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach, and oats will keep you full a long time and make it easier to stick to your diet.
Snack Smart
Trail mixes, nuts, dried fruits, granola bars, and other snacks are packed with calories. These treats are good for your health, but not for weight loss. For instance, energy bars have over 400 calories per serving. One serving of nuts can exceed 300 calories. If you’re hungry between meals, snack on low calorie foods, such as cottage cheese, celery sticks, vegetable chips, Greek yogurt, and berries.
Add Spice to Your Meals
Research shows that hot peppers increase metabolism for several hours after a meal. A study conducted on dieters has found that those who ate chili peppers burned about 200 more calories per day than the placebo group. Capsaicin, the active compound in hot peppers, suppresses hunger and raises metabolic rate.
Boost Your Protein Intake
The easiest way to shed pounds is to cut back on carbs and boost your daily protein intake. Lean beef, steak, turkey, chicken, fish, and low fat cheese are among the best sources of protein. Whey protein and casein shakes are a good choice too. These supplements can bring you closer to weight loss goals, lift your mood, and improve overall health. Most dieters also report decreased blood pressure, greater energy, and lower cholesterol levels. For fast results, replace one meal with protein shakes.
