Can Super Foods Help Your Clients Lose Weight?

Posted by in Healthcare


As a dietician or nutritionist, you know that carbohydrates are anathema to serious dieters. But what’s making headlines these days is the renewed emphasis on so called super foods--foods like nuts, berries and whole grains that are packed with fiber, protein and important nutrients. These foods deliver a trifecta of benefits: they provide energy, shed pounds and can even help the body fight certain diseases.

 

Many experts now believe super foods are the key to successful weight loss. Lucy Danziger, author of  "The Drop 10 Diet" has seen every fad diet for over a decade. In an effort to boost her physical performance—running, swimming and biking—she switched to super foods. In just under 6 months she lost 25 pounds. Eating superfoods turns dieting on its head. Instead of obsessing about what you can’t eat, you focus on what you should eat. "We're going to give you so many choices of what you can eat, you're not thinking about starvation," says Danziger. 

 

Dr. Mehmet Oz, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, lists several super foods that help dieters look younger: pumpkin seeds, pomegranate juice, oatmeal and black currants. He advises dieters to curb cravings with fat-busting pine nuts. Often used in salads and sauces, pine nuts are full of pinolenic acid, a fatty acid that helps suppress hunger. Dr. Oz also notes that drinking white, oolong and yerba mate tea can help dieters drop a dress size.

 

Dr. Steven Pratt’s now famous book, "SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life," identified three qualities a super food must have: it must be readily available to the public; it must contain nutrients that are known to enhance longevity, and its health benefits must be backed by peer-reviewed, scientific studies. Making this list are salmon, broccoli, spinach, berries and green tea, along with 20 more one can find on his website, SuperFoodsRx.com. These foods are high in crucial nutrients and low in calories. "The most common thing I hear is how much weight people lost without trying to lose weight," says Pratt. "It's the non-diet diet. It's food you can eat for a lifetime."

 

Danziger regards superfoods as an energy booster and a way to feel and sleep better. "The better you feel, the more you do it," says Danzinger. “Your body will send an e-mail to your brain within minutes thanking it, saying, 'I'm going to do better. I'm not going to get sick anymore.' "

 

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Nutrition and Research at UK's Slimming World, notes that, "By filling one-third of your plate with 'Superfree' foods (most fruit and vegetables) and making them your first choice between meals, you'll satisfy your appetite without feeling guilty and naturally limit your energy intake without counting a single calorie. It's a great way to enjoy a really healthy diet while making your weight loss easy."

 

When clients come to you for weight loss or nutrition advice, super foods can certainly be “on the menu.”

 

Photo courtesy of MorgueFile.com

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  • irma y
    irma y
    This is a Great reference guide for me I am a veggie chef
  • Alex Kecskes
    Alex Kecskes
    Thank you for all your kind comments. Eat healthy and stay well.
  • Beverly D
    Beverly D
    There are lots of healthy super foods out there.  I agree that the positive food choices should be emphasized but variety is key to a balanced diet.  Choose from a number of high fiber fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains, low fat protein and dairy options.  Portions and quantity should be addressed while stressing healthy cooking methods and to get moving.   
  • Susan T
    Susan T
    As a nurse I educate patients and family about these often and try to incorporate alot if these in my diet several times a week ... I have gradually lost weight over the last 2 yrs but this last yr I haven't even been trying and am still loosing and I incorporate alot of fhese super foods several times a week ...no necessarily daily though, just because I don't want to make it sound like I do everything great because I don't ... I just made a pan of carmels last nite ....lol (my weakness )
  • Ben B
    Ben B
    common sense.  everyone is a nutritionist.
  • Barbara O
    Barbara O
    The information in this article is very helpful. I will incorporate this information into my daily diet.Thank you.Barbara
  • Judith D
    Judith D
    INTERESTING -I DO EAT SOME OF THESE FOODS.HAVE REALPROBLEM WITH HUNGER TRY TO SNACK WITH POPCORN,FRUIT. RETIRED & DAILY ACTIVITY DWINDLED.TRYING TO GETMORE EXERCISE.
  • Michelle C
    Michelle C
    as a nurse and chronic dieter, I found this article educational and will in turn tell others about the "super foods".  Another weight loss tip that is often overlooked and seldom mentioned is that the speed of your food intake greatly affects your weight.  Eating slower, chewing longer, put your fork down and drink some water between bites. Your brain will give you the full signal and you will have eaten fewer calories.  Save the rest of your meal for lunch the next day or a later meal.  It works!
  • Sue e
    Sue e
    Good information thank you all for helping americans to slim down.
  • Anita W
    Anita W
    I love this article
  • Susan C
    Susan C
    I truly agree with this article! Most of my life I have  been eating super foods and I am in great shape. I am 58  and work out 5 days a week and weigh 118 to 120 lbs. I eat a lot of fish and green vegetables and never eat junk food. Yes its true ,but most people find it hard to commit to a healthy diet and life with weight training.Its really worth it!
  • Bambi H
    Bambi H
    Good stuff to be reminded of for health.
  • gail g
    gail g
    Great information. As far as Tammy's comment about Oprah~It's the old saying 'do not gobble until you wobble...It doesn't matter how healthy a food is, if you eat too much at one time, your body is not able to digest it properly. Dr. Oz is out there trying to help the public be and get healthier. We need to take the information he has to offer and investigate it more fully.  I am thrilled that we are headed in the direction of treating our symptoms with healthy foods rather than medications.
  • Deena H
    Deena H
    Enjoyed it very much, very informative!
  • Juliette T
    Juliette T
    This article was so informative and the foods & snacks listedare part of an every day diet. This list has made optionsso much easierSuper Foods will now be part of my shopping list!!
  • Zuleika M
    Zuleika M
    No this article us awsome and its right. I always try to look for this kinds of food because i know what kind of benefits i will get to my body. Fast food wont take u anywhere stay away or uf u have to be smart they gave plenty if other choices that r not so bad.
  • tammy m
    tammy m
    i think dr. oz jumps on any band wagon  --he says every new fad that deals with food is good ---super foods --now green coffee -----every time something new comes out boom there he is ----why isnt oprah skinny minnie then he was her dr forever
  • Diane R
    Diane R
    Sounds on track!

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