Let’s be entirely honest, when you eat junk food, you might as well be shooting heroin, dietarily speaking.
If you’re like many people, you’ve gotten your brain accustomed to getting a jolt of sugar, salt or fat at specific times through the day.
When you do this, your brain begins to form reward pathways that light up when you eat junk.
As time goes by, these reward pathways become more and more ingrained, so it is harder to kick the habit.
Now, you could eliminate comfort foods like bread and pasta, but what would you say if I told you it is possible to beat cravings and melt belly fat while still enjoying your favorite foods?
It may seem daunting, but you can end your addiction to junk food just the same way you can break any other bad habit.
What’s more, you can do it without feeling deprived or guilty.
In the process, you can even retrain your brain to like healthy foods.
The following elixirs may not be magic, but they’re pretty darned close.
If you’ve been struggling to drop those last few pounds, they can help you drop them almost effortlessly.
Each one of these weight loss drinks has unique, almost magical, properties.
Whether it helps stop your hunger in its tracks, or revs up your metabolism to melt stored fat, they can all help you drop unwanted weight.
Even better, all of these drinks can help lower your risk of chronic problem, including diabetes and cardiovascular problem.
Now, you need to realize one thing. I would never recommend something that I wouldn’t use, and I enjoy these all day long.
I like to have one for breakfast, another for a mid-morning snack, and even before lunch and dinner to feel more satisfied. (They’re also a great way to halt sugar cravings.)
Watermelon Limeade
Watermelon juice helps pull toxins from your body and keeps you hydrated in the summer heat.
Cut a small (about 5-6 pounds) watermelon in half. Seedless watermelons are easier, but if yours isn’t, slice the melon and use a spoon to remove seeds.
Scoop chunks into the blender and blend about a minute, until the melon is liquefied. Squeeze a small lime into the blender and blend a few more seconds.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Metabolism Boosting Green Tea
A recent study conducted over 12 weeks showed that participants who drank 4-5 cups of green tea every day and exercised for 25 minutes lost 2 more pounds on average than those who also exercised 25 minutes a day but didn’t drink the tea.
Green tea contains compounds known as catechins. Catechins stimulate the release of fat from fat cells, and the liver’s ability to burn fat for energy.
Pineapple-Basil Smoothie
Savory herbs in a smoothie? Actually, yes. When used in small quantities, basil gives a smoothie an exotic flavor and a hint of licorice.
Ingredients: (Makes 2)
- 1 c coconut or almond milk
- 1 medium banana
- 1½ c pineapple chunks (best if frozen)
- 2 basil leaves
Pour milk into a blender, followed by all other ingredients. Cover and blend about 30 seconds, or until smooth.
Craving Busting Mint Tea
A study found in the Journal of Neurological and Orthopedic Medicine discovered that sniffing peppermint every couple of hours through the day helped people to lose an average of 5 more pounds per month.
Certain scents are known to increase hunger while others (like peppermint!) are known to suppress appetite.
So pour yourself a nice cup of peppermint tea and sniff the pounds away!
