Inexpensive Fat Burning Food Choices

I hope you had success with journal challenge #5 and included more healthy snacks within your healthy eating plan.  There are many healthy and good tasting snacks that you can make yourself or buy that are actually good for you.  Keep in mind the single ingredient rule as often as possible.  Another very helpful rule is just don't buy the processed stuff and you will not have to worry about being tempted to eat it.

I was so proud of my 9 year old daughter, Faith today.  This was the first day of school and she was helping me pack her lunch.  I asked her what snacks she wanted and she chose an orange, baby carrots, yogurt, and a bottle of water.  We as parents can have a great impact on our children's future eating habits if we begin when they are young by teaching them healthy choices. 

For journal challenge #6 you will be challenged to eat 5 mini meals 3 hours apart instead of the regular 3 large meals that we are use too.  Please see the week 6 journal challenge under the pages section of the blog for more details.

The following are some foods listed within an article that nutritionist Josh Bezoni sent me this week. Try to  include some or all of these within your mini meals.  I totally agree with these food choices and use them in my daily eating plan.  When we think of eating healthy one of the first things people tend to say is that it is expensive.  If you really are a smart shopper you can find inexpensive foods that are healthy and will help you burn that unwanted belly fat.  Some of the following are very inexpensive and will benefit your weight loss and healthy eating.  Keep in mind that organic food can be more expensive however sometimes only a few cents depending on where you buy your organics.  It is also important to keep in mind that some foods do not need to be organic if your budget cannot afford them. 

1. Avocados: These are loaded with two nutrients that are vital for killing belly fat,fiber (11 to 17 grams per avocado!), and monounsaturated fats.  These cost anywhere from $1.00 to $2.00 for organic).  I personally really like the organic avocados and have found them to be much larger.

2. Peanut Butter:  peanut butter, and any seeds or nuts: pistachios, walnuts, almonds (or almond butter), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. These all help you feel full and fight cravings as well as burn belly fat. Nuts have differences in price depending on where you buy them.  Peanut butter--natural is best ranges in price from $2.60 to $4.00 depending on size and where you buy it.  Organic peanut butter will also tend to be around the $4.00-$5.00 range.

3. Cottage Cheese: It is full of important calcium and low-fat protein, cottage cheese keeps you feeling full longer.  I mix my cottage cheese with my beans(black or kidney) which I place on top of a green salad. For extra flavor I heat the beans and add some black pepper and a little milk to them.  Cottage cheese costs about $3.00 and goes along way. If you buy the larger container you will also save money.

4. Veggies: Certain vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, and cabbage contain special phytonutrients, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which help to fight against environmental estrogens that can add belly fat. Eating these will benefit your weight and you can buy the ones that are on sale or even frozen.  You will save money if you buy what is in season and on sale.  Now if a great time for vegetables for there are many farm markets or local vegetable stands to buy from. 

5. Eggs are great and loaded with belly-burning protein, and vitamins.  They keep you full for longer.   Choose eggs that come from cage free chickens to get more healthy nutrients. Cage free eggs usually cost slightly more than regular eggs.  They start at $3.00 and go up.  Expect to pay even more if you choose organic.  I usually eat an one egg or an omelet every morning with guacamole on the side.

6. Oatmeal: Is packed with fiber and whole-grain. Be sure to buy the whole grain slow cook oats and not instant or processed with added sugar and flavorings.  Add some cinnamon,  walnuts, berries, raisins, and honey for added nutrients and taste.  Oatmeal is very inexpensive and cost about $1.20.

7. Beans: Black beans, kindney, navy beans, refried beans, and lima beans all have 6 or more grams of fiber.  Fiber will clean your body of pounds of toxic waste and reduce your belly bulge.  A can of beans costs anywhere from .50 - .90. As I noted, I include these on top of my salads with cottage cheese.  Black beans are good heated with melted cheese on top.
 
Eating healthy does not have to be expensive and including these foods will also help you burn belly fat.  Now when you go to the store you will be better prepared and informed on what to buy and include in your eating plan that won't break your budget.