Almost anyone you ask swears that they eat healthy. So why are they still not achieving the fat loss results that they seek? One of the tenants of the Metabolic Effect Fat Loss Lifestyle is that just because you are eating “healthy” foods does not mean you are losing fat. It is a misconception that if you eat healthy foods you will automatically lose fat. The truth is that a healthy diet will provide plenty of vitamins, minerals and fiber but will sometimes sacrifice fat loss efforts in the process. However, what we have found with our clients is that it is possible to eat fat-loss foods that will also allow you to obtain these important nutrients too.
One key example of a healthy food that is not necessarily ideal for fat loss is whole grains. They are considered healthy because they contain high absolute amounts of fiber and are less processed than refined grains, but for the total amount of carbohydrate they pack, their fiber benefit is really not justified. In other words, the relative ratio of carbohydrate to fiber is too high to generate significant fat loss results. Choosing fibrous veggies like asparagus, spinach, broccoli, mixed greens, brussel sprouts, etc are better choices, and though the absolute amount of fiber contained in these veggies is less than that of grains, the ratio of total carb to fiber is ideal for fat loss, yet still plenty “healthy.” Other foods that may be healthy but not great for fat-loss necessarily (sometimes this will depend on individual sensitivities or health circumstances) include dairy, nuts & seeds, soy, high glycemic index fruits (like bananas, pineapple, etc) and high-fiber cereals.
For example, over time I have found my unique fat loss formula and have come to know that I am specifically sensitive to nuts. Meaning at times when I am doing a lot of nuts and nut butters, I tend to store fat more easily in my lower body, retain water and at the very least halt fat loss results. To gauge how to eat for fat loss, learn how your body responds to different foods groups. After you eat a certain food, ask yourself: Do I retain water? Do I get hungrier later on? Do I sleep poorly? Do I crave sweets and/or salty foods? Do I break out? Are my clothes fitting tighter? Do I experience GI upset? Do I crash at 2pm? Etc. Ideally, if you are eating foods that are both healthy and effective at helping you shed fat, you shouldn’t experience any of these outcomes.
Here is a short video that addresses this distinction:
To get you headed in the right direction, here are my top 35 foods that are both healthy AND effective for fat loss. Eat exclusively from this list to obtain a full array of vitamins and minerals, as well as obtain the fat loss results you seek, good luck! ox Jill
Chicken breasts/ground chicken
Turkey breasts/ground turkey
White fish (halibut, cod, sea bass, orange roughy, tuna, etc)
Egg whites
Salmon
Shrimp
Whey protein powder
Turkey bacon/Canadian bacon
Ground bison/grass-fed beef
Filet mignon/lean skirt steak
Pork chops
Unsweetened almond milk
Spinach
Mixed greens (romaine, arugula, etc)
Kale, collards, mustard, etc
Asparagus
Bell peppers
Onions
Broccoli/cauliflower
Green beans
Brussel sprouts
Garlic
Sweet potatoes/yams
Oat bran
Brown rice
Blueberries
Apples
Grapefruit
Salsa
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Green tea
Coffee (taken black)
Think Thin bars
Raw almonds (1 serving)
Spices (cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, etc)
