The Best (And Easiest) Superfoods for Weight Loss

Eating superfoods can make losing weight easy and a lot more enjoyable! But a lot of them are strange and expensive and generally not suited to the tastes, budgets, and lifestyles of anyone other than a health nut. So here is my list of the top superfoods for college students and fitness beginners to eat:

Apples have antioxidants that can help you cut down on belly fat. Also, studies have found that people who snack on apples before meals eat less than with any other snack!

Eggs are known for being bad for diets, but the opposite is true. Their protein will keep you full and kill your appetite. Go for egg whites when possible, but don't be scared of the yolk!

Salmon is another superfood that controls insulin with its omega-3 fatty acids. Stock up and try it on the grill, baked with vegestables, or even make burgers with it.

Blueberries may be the best type of berry to eat, with the highest antioxidant content and over 3.5g of fibre in a cup.

Small but powerful!

Chiles are one of the most flavourful (and hot!) ways to trim down! Chiles contain capsaicin which instantly revs up your metabolism and causes you to burn extra calories for 20 minutes after you eat it, studies show. Try finding ways to add fresh chiles to your dishes to get the most out of them.

I burn calories and your tongue.

Avacados are known to be high in fat, but also to be extremely healthy. Both are true! The key is that avacadoes contain monounsaturated fat which is good for your heart and also helps you feel fuller longer. Do watch your portions though. Use avacadoes as a spread on sandwiches or make a healthy guacamole to use as a dip.

Olive oil is just like avacado in that it contains healthy fat that keep you feeling ful.. It should be your staple oil if it isn't already. The easiest way to get your fix is simply to cook with it! Also drizzle salads with it for extra benefit.

I'll keep you from reaching for a snack later!

Brown rice is extremely filling yet low in calories. Ditch white rice for it whenever possible to easily slim down. It also contains a special type of starch named resistant starch which is a metabolism booster and fat burner.

Healthy Snacks: How to Choose a Nutritious Granola Bar for Weight Loss

Granola bars are one of my favourite healthy snacks, especially to help lose weight. Nutritious, portable, and most importantly, delicious! They are a great energy snack, especially for students who need a boost to study. With so many choices, though, it's a little confusing.

Yummy, but healthy?

Here are a few tips for choosing the healthiest granola bar:

Choose whole grains: Any granola bar you choose should have whole grains such as oats as the first ingredient - not sugar or anything else. Studies show the people who choose more whole grains lose weight more.

Look for fibre: Whole grain bars should automatically have at least 3 grams of fibre per bar. Fibre is important for limiting the impacts of sugar and starch on blood glucose, which is something most students get more than enough of. So lok for as much fibre as possible in your bars!

Go low on sugar: Every 4 grams of sugar is 1 teaspoon of sugar! I like to keep my granola bards under 8g of sugar. The less the better, but you want to find the right balance of health and nutrition for yourself!

Be wary of trans fats: Companies don't have to report trans fats in their products if there is less than 0.5g of trans fats. So make sure to always read the ingredient list and make sure there are no "partitally hydrogenated oils" in the list - this means trans fat. Be especially wary of bars that have chocolate chips or yogurt/chocolate covering.

Go organic: Take a trip down your organic aisle, especially to check out any sales on granola bars to fit these into your budget. I always prefer fewer ingredients that are recognizable when possible. But remember - organic doesn't necessarily mean healthy. Read the nutrition information, as always!

Happy snacking and good luck choosing a granola bar to aid in your weight loss!