Berry Smoothie
The base of a good smoothie is fruit. “Fruit is packed with vitamins, nutrients, and fiber,” says Andrea Wise, a Chicago-based trainer and nutrition coach.” Berries are anti-inflammatory and bursting with natural sweetness so you can eat way more of them without worrying about the scale. For example, one cup of sliced strawberries is only 50 calories. The low sugar, high fiber content helps berries regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Having high insulin can contribute to increased belly fat and cravings. Concoct the berry smoothie that appeals to you most and add in another anti-inflammatory ingredient. Try freshly grated ginger that aids digestion and helps metabolize excess adipose tissue (that’s a fancy word for fat). Or opt for flax seeds. They a have a high concentration of plant-based omega-3s that reduces inflammation and in turn reduces storage of fat.
Hot Water & Lemon
What hot drink has zero calories tastes refreshing and spurs your metabolism to get moving? Hot water with lemon! A warm or hot cup gets your body moving at a rapid pace and that means your entire body is engaged in creating and using energy that leads to weight loss. “The more lemon water you drink the better for you since it helps food break down easily in your digestive system,” says Suzanne Jezek-Arriaga, a nutrition and holistic health coach. Lemon has vitamin C to aid weight loss. A study found that people who have sufficient levels of vitamin C intake burned more fat than people who were C deficient. Another way hot lemon water helps is simply that people prefer the taste of lemon water to plain water. If the idea of water isn’t appealing, you might have a glass of juice before breakfast. Juice is pure sugar with zero health benefits. But if you think hot water with lemon tastes great, then you’ll have it instead of high-calorie, sugary drinks.
Tart Cherry Juice
There’s a new superfood on the rise: tart cherries. Dr. Petre says they have the highest anti-inflammatory content of any food. A recent study found they have the "highest anti-inflammatory content of any food". The key is in the mighty antioxidant compounds that give tart cherries their red color. Experts normally advise people to stay away from juice. Much of the healthy fiber and nutrients is lost when whole fruit is liquefied. Plus there’s often a ton of sugar added. This is not what you’re looking for. Look for tart cherry juice in its most natural form with no preservatives and added sugar.
Cinnamon Tea
Eating spicy foods can reduce inflammation and kick start your metabolism because they cause your body temp to rise. It’s formally called thermogenesis – the way your body’s cells convert the energy from the foods you eat into heat. Studies show that the antioxidants in cinnamon have potent anti-inflammatory activity. Cinnamon also slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. Add cinnamon to your tea (or coffee grounds) in the morning before brewing for a healthy burst of flavor. You can do the same with plain water. Add a cinnamon stick to a bottle of water and you’ll instantly find it more appealing to drink.