1. Milk
Milk really does do a body good, according to research published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The 2010 study found that adults who drank about 12 ounces of milk (or 580 mg of calcium) for at least six months lost about 12 pounds at the end of two years, whereas people who consumed only 150 mg of dairy calcium dropped just 7 pounds. (Search: Health benefits of calcium) Researchers suspect that vitamin D and calcium are what make milk slimming.
2. Watermelon
Watermelon contains an amino acid called arginine, which may boost weight loss, according to a 2011 study in the Journal of Nutrition. The scientists found that mice that consumed foods rich in arginine for three months lowered their body fat gains by 64 per cent. Watermelon’s high water content may also help you feel full for longer, says Ruth Frechman, RD, author of The Food is My Friend Diet.
3. Eggs
Scramble some eggs in the morning, and you could be looking at a smaller pants size over time. People who started their day with eggs felt fuller for longer afterward, according to research conducted at Louisiana State University.
4. Green Tea
Torch calories by sipping this zero-calorie beverage. In a Penn State University study, obese mice that were fed EGCG, a compound found in green tea, along with a high-fat diet gained weight more slowly than mice that did not receive the green tea supplement.
5. Greek Yogurt
It wouldn’t be a superfood list without Greek yogurt. This nutritional powerhouse comes loaded with satiating protein, as well as fat-fighting calcium. “It’s a tasty, but really healthy way of getting calories because it’s packed with protein, Frechman says. “You’re getting more bang for your buck compared to regular yogurts.” Just be sure to choose a plain, low-fat variety.
6. Air-Popped Popcorn
Snacking can be the death of a weight loss plan, unless you opt for this crunchy and satisfying treat. You can indulge in three whole cups for under 100 calories, while squeezing in a healthy dose of fibre, which will help you feel full. Popcorn also contains a high concentration of health-enhancing antioxidants, according to a University of Scranton Study.
7. Lentils
If you want to walk away from a meal feeling satisfied, load your plate with lentils. A cup carries an eye-popping 16 g of fibre and 18 g of protein.
8. Water
Good old H2O has zero calories, and drinking lots of it may help curb your appetite. In one American Chemical Society study, dieters who guzzled two cups of H2O three times a day before meals over 12 weeks dropped 5 pounds more than subjects who didn’t increase their water intake.
“Dr. Mohamed Babu of Mysore, South India, noticed something strange about the ants scurrying around on the floor of his kitchen: after drinking some spilled milk, their abdomens turned white. Realizing the insects’ bodies were transparent, he got an idea for a stunning set of photographs.
Mixing different varieties of food coloring along with sugar, water and a waxy base, he set out small droplets of liquid on a white plastic sheet outside in his garden and let the ants do the rest.
‘As the ant’s abdomen is semi-transparent, the ants gain the colors as they sip the liquid,’ he said.
Striving to get the best possible photos, Babu ran into an unexpected problem: too many ants. ‘I really toiled to get a photo. The crowd always used to become unmanageable within a few minutes and while I managed my camera with my right hand, my left hand was busy removing the extra ants.’ After a number of repeated attempts, he finally got the photos he was looking for.
‘Curiously, the ants preferred light colors—yellow and green. The darker green and blue drops had no takers, until there was no space around the preferred yellow and green drops.’ Some of the ants even wandered between the colors, creating unique mixtures of different hues inside their own stomachs.”
