So called Naughty foods make a big come back!!

EGGS - a hard boiled egg packs only 70 calories.  It is considered a perfect protein.  The link between egg cholesterol and heart disease have been derailed by the 2011 issue of European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  Egg yolks are high in zinc, iron, vitamins A & D, choline (breast cancer fighter) and the yoke contains half the protein for squashing hunger pangs (that beats just the egg white hands down).

BANANAS - once considered a high calorie fruit that packed on pounds.  They are rich in dietary fibre know as resistant starch - the same kind of starch that increases a post-meal fat burning.  If you choose a greener vs yellow banana you will get less carb absorption and more production off butyrate (a fatty acid that may inhibit the body's ability to burn carbs) thus forcing the body to incinerate fat instead.

COCONUT OIL - Once seen as a no no since it is so high in saturated fats.  However, coconut oil is very high in medium-chain triglycerides. These fats can be metabolized faster than long chain variety's found in other oils.  The body rarely stores these mid-chain as fat, as the body prefers to burn them for energy.  Try a tablespoon a day to reduce belly fat and elevate HDL (good) and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.  Just use sparingly as it is Calorie dense 120 calories per tablespoon.

RED MEET - Beef has had a bad rap for heart disease.   Recent studies show that  lean cuts of red meet are an excellent source of protein and grain fed cuts of beef are high in CLA (these help prevent belly storing fat).  Shoot for a 3-4 oz portion and grill, roast or BBQ!

PEANUT BUTTER - Once shunned as a high fat, high cal sandwich staple is now looked at as heart healthy mono saturated fat.  Stick with the natural kinds that do not have the extra sugar added.  Watch your portion control as 2 tablespoons offers 16 g of fat and about 200 calories.  Use as a spread on wholegrain bread for a more complete protein source or stir a little in with your steel cut oatmeal in the morning.

Check out Women's Health Oct 2011 edition for more details.

Easy ways to SNEAK in extra EXERCISE!!

Walk to your destination
Bicep curl those grocery bags as you carry them in from the car
Dance with your kids to your favourite tunes while making supper
Clench your butt muscles while climbing the stairs or sitting at a stop light
Hold a plank pose for 30 secs before you crawl into bed at night
Pump off a few crunches while the TV commercial is on
Take a family bike ride to do errands
Perform wall sits while talking on the phone
Cut your cardio time in half by using intervals in your cardio/running routine
(finish in 20 mins instead of 40 mins)
Perform Kegels while sitting at your computer
Sit on an exercise ball at the office to strengthen your core
Take the dog for a walk (or your hubby)
Spend a little time with your hubby "alone" in the bedroom
Get 8 hours of sleep nightly (best fat buster)