Sometimes extra pounds are a result of chronic inflammation that’s directly linked to insulin resistance, which then leads to weight gain. You can reduce inflammation by eating healthy foods that give you energy to exercise, boost metabolism and keep you feeling full so you don’t give into sugary snacks. Eggs are an anti-inflammatory, fat-burning food that fit the bill perfectly. “Eggs are one of the simplest and most inexpensive foods you can eat to help lose weight,” says Rebekah Blakely, a registered dietician with The Vitamin Shoppe.
So eggs are an awesome start. But there’s more. “Weight maintenance requires sustained dietary change,” says Rachel Swanson, a RDN at Lifespan Medicine. “Making it a habit to add anti-inflammatory foods to your plate each day means controlling hunger over time and preventing weight re-gain.” And now it clicks! We can actually improve on our already healthy eating.
Get a step up on shedding fat by including kale with eggs. “Emerging evidence suggests the phytochemical composition of leafy greens may have a role in weight loss,” says Swanson. If we knew that kale contained polyphenols that have potential potent effects against fat cells, we would have started eating it way sooner.
Kale (and cousins spinach, chard, collard greens, etc.) is also high in natural antioxidants to help prevent muscle loss that can slow metabolism and lead to weight gain. A kale salad with a runny egg on top is totes delicious! A kale salad without the egg is meh. Cut kale into thin ribbons and add it to a quinoa bowl with diced hard-boiled eggs and black beans. Just the presence of kale turns a scrambled egg into a gourmet meal. We still refuse to drink a kale smoothie but we happily welcome it to breakfast!
[Photos: Shutterstock]