"Belly Fat" Foods: Calories Still Count!
I'm doing a TODAY show segment on an area that is quite "hot" in the weight loss department: Foods that promise to "banish belly fat." Boy, does that sound great or what?
As many of you know from reading this blog, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This idea has a basis in real science, and here it is: When people consumed a calorie-controlled (key word here!) diet plan and included foods with MUFA (a kind of heart healthy fat, Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids), they had a better rate of weight loss with these foods added. These foods include, avocados, nuts, olives, and olive oil. But, they did not have these foods in unlimited amounts! While these can be part of a weight loss plan, proceed with caution! These foods contain high numbers of calories, for even modest amounts.I'd love to hear your thoughts on this highly controversial topic!
So, enjoy a few slices of avocado in your salad, or a small handful of nuts as a snack, and a drizzle of olive oil on your salad or to saute some chicken. Just remember to count those calories in your daily plan. Just because they're healthy foods doesn't mean your body doesn't register the calories! If weight loss is you goal (and not just healthy eating), the portions matter. If you're not concerned with your weight (or need to gain), then these foods are a great healthful choice, and you don't have to worry much about the amounts.
Other thoughts? Leave a comment!
More on Weight Loss on iVillage:
Comments
I'm a huge fan of Dr. Oz who regularly appears on the Oprah show. He wrote a book with Dr. Roizen titled "You: On a Diet" which talks about how scientists are uncovering astounding medical evidence about dieting -- and why so many of us struggle with our weight and the size of our waists. The book goes into how researchers are unraveling biological secrets about such things as why you crave chocolate or gorge at buffets or store so much fat. It also explained how bodies lose weight and stay fit; this book has help me lose over 40lbs., and taught me how to make better choices & keep active.
This book has been an excellent resource to me and many others: http://www.buzzillions.com/prd-329703-you-on-a-diet-reviews/
Nuts are recommended so often as valuable nutrients in many recipes for weight loss, fighting heart disease, etc. But what if you are allergic to nuts? Please give us viable alternatives that may have the same benefits as nuts.
Thank you.
Misleading title and disappointing article! Avacado, nuts, olives, and olive oil - that's it???? This was not worth my time to read.
How much of these MUFA's is TOO much? I mean if I have a handful of nuts and a avocado, is that crossing the line? OH, and how little is not enough!
This article wasn't worth the time to read. Nuts, olive oil and grilled chicken yes. But avocado, yuck!!!!!!!! More alternatives please!
This article wasn't worth the time to read. Nuts, olive oil and grilled chicken yes. But avocado, yuck!!!!!!!! More alternatives please!
This article wasn't worth the time to read. Nuts, olive oil and grilled chicken yes. But avocado, yuck!!!!!!!! More alternatives please!
What do you think about all these colon cleasing products that promise weight loss and a flatter belly?
I'd have to agree, nuts, olive oil, and chicken. Whatever..... The real message is... Calories in, More Calories out. That is how a person loses weight. Light calorie diet with excercise. Duh...??
Glad for the article. I have long thought avocados,nut, and olive oil were all "foods of the gods."
Recipies for their use in a diet would be great! Thanks
I found out through all my years of dieting that my stomach will be much flatter if I stop eating so much bread. I do crunches and it still keeps a round shape until I stop eating the bread.
Yes - calories & calories out. The more we burn the more we lose. This article provides just a few examples of foods we can enjoy in MODERATION, just like anything else. It boils down to making the right choices even if we are social people. Food portions are outstanding in many restaurants. Jounaling made me be accountable to calories consumed. Whew! I am on a high protein supplement program but still eat foods I prepare at home. I jounal everything entering my mouth and this helped me lose more than 25 lbs thus far. No matter what "diet", I prefer to think of it as a life decision to eat healthier and maintain when I reach my goal, we have to consider things w/less saturated FAT. I LOVE avacodes plain and in a salad. You can find more MUFA foods on the net. Make sure your food labels are mono UNSATURATED than not. I just ran across this iVillage site and love it!!! Good luck to all trying to be thinner and healthier!!!! We can do it!!
Please help! I fortunately have quite a flat stomach (i do some form of sport every other day) BUT i have a large waist. Please can you advise me on how to reduce my waist size! I eat a healthy diet full of veg & fruit. Thank you!
I love avocados. Like most people I prefer the haas variety or any which are ripe. Walnuts are very good food but they are easy to binge on. They can give you very loose bowels if you eat too many. On BBC Health I read that 1.3 Oz. of walnuts lowers stroke risk by 60%. I was haveing occular migrains. I started eating walnuts and they stopped. I stopped eating walnuts and they came back! I use avocados instead of mayo on sandwiches of all kinds. Mayo is just nasty--all that rancid oil and yolks is way too inflamatory, and fattening. I have cooked ONLY with green olive oil for 35 years. I never eat margerine because I read Adelle Davis in the early 1970's. I still read her! I look maybe 20 years younger than most women my age. This movement toward natural, healthy foods has been going on for decades.We are finally getting it right thanks to many dedicated scientists and health concious people eg.Jack LaLain who promoted healthy delicious foods like olives, walnuts, avocados and pecans all grown right here!
