WEIGHT LOSS FOODS

***FOUR FOODS THAT HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT***

Processed foods wreak havoc on your blood sugar and make it hard to lose weight. Other foods do just the opposite, but it's not always obvious which ONES. If you want to shed some pounds, try incorporating these four random foods into your diet . . .

#1.) SARDINES. If just the THOUGHT of eating them makes you gag, then sardines might not be for you. But they're loaded with protein, which helps stabilize your blood sugar, makes you feel full, and stimulates your metabolism.

--And because they're really low on the food chain, they're remarkably free of contaminants like mercury, which is one of the main drawbacks of canned tuna.

#2.) GRAPEFRUIT. A 2004 study showed that eating grapefruit before a meal can help you lose a significant amount of weight. Grapefruit juice and supplements are okay too, but EATING half of a grapefruit is best . . . and it only has 39 calories.

#3.) PUMPKIN. You probably associate it with weight GAIN because of Thanksgiving, but plain old canned pumpkin is loaded with fiber . . . which helps manage weight. Plus, it's easy to prepare.

--You can pair it with a zero-calorie sweetener like Splenda, or sprinkle on some cinnamon, which naturally lowers your blood sugar.

#4.) GREEN TEA. Drinking it on a daily basis speeds up fat oxidation and boosts your metabolism. If you're trying to burn fat, some research shows that five cups of green tea a day is the magic number . . . but even one or two cups should help. (iVillage.com)