Super weight-loss soups and smoothies!
Thanks to a university breakthrough, there’s a new twist on smoothies and soup that promises to slim us down with W remarkable speed and help our bodies resist weight gain for good!
hy are some of us naturally slim while others struggle with spare pounds? Last year, a Harvard study of 120,000 folks found that those getting the most flavonoids—antioxidants found in superfoods like apples, pears, berries, cherries, spinach and almonds—seemed to actively resist weight gain. But just how much fat-fighting credit did flavonoids really deserve? To find out, “we decided to compare identical twins,” reveals University of East Anglia’s Aedin Cassidy, PH.D., also a visiting Harvard scientist. After recruiting over 1,300 pairs of sisters and making allowances for other slimming factors like exercise and fiber intake, there was absolutely no doubt: “When one twin consumed significantly more flavonoids, she carried significantly less fat mass than her sister with identical genes.” So while all fruits and veggies are good for us, this is evidence that flavonoid-rich picks “are best for our waistlines,” says Cassidy, who adds that just a few extra portions should have a nice impact on the scale. Prefer to make a truly mindblowing impact on the scale? For that, experts say, flavonoid-rich puréed soups and smoothies are unbeatable. “Just two of my smoothies alone can easily deliver 10 servings,” says America’s top smoothie expert JJ Smith. On top of that, we absorb up to 90% more nutrients from liquid than solids—so puréed soups and smoothies deliver up to 90% more flavonoids than a salad or sandwich! Smith, a longtime flavonoid proponent, insists the antioxidants are a key reason her signature drinks get such staggering results. “I’ve seen women lose 10 pounds in 72 hours and 22 pounds in 10 days!”
Here’s everything you need to find out how much this flavonoid-rich twist can help you lose . . .
Diet-at-a-glance
What you eat: It’s all about blended soups and smoothies. There are roughly 30 flavonoid powerhouses you can whip up, including those mentioned above plus others like citrus fruit, tomatoes, onion, kale, soy- and pea-based protein powder, olive oil, soy milk and espresso. For maximum weight loss, Smith, author of the mega-seller 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse, recommends replacing two meals a day with smoothies. Alternatively, you can swap in puréed soup. You’ll also enjoy an additional flavonoid-rich meal and snacks.
OPTION 4 1 flavonoid-rich smoothie or 1 serving Super-flavonoid Puréed Soup (recipes right) OPTION 5 Cajun Chicken: Toss 8 oz. chicken tenders, 1/2 head cauliflower florets and 1 sliced red bell pepper in 2 Tbs. olive oil and 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning; roast at 375°F for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked and tender. Serves 1.