(Foreword: this is the continuation of our response to Maddy MAF regarding her inquiry on foods deemed as bad but are actually good for losing weight.)
Dear Maddy MAF,
Now, here are more lists hoping to make things much easier for you.
4. Pasta
I know how you would want to avoid pasta especially when you are on a diet but other facts prove otherwise.
Don’t you know that you can still enjoy pasta even when you’re on a diet? As long as you have made sure that you have chosen the whole grain type and make your portions small, everything will turn out well. Research suggests that people who eat several servings of whole-grain foods a day are more likely to slim down and maintain much healthy weights. Moreover, eating whole grains instead of refined grains can also help burn belly fat, according to a study.
The only problem here is that I can’t seem to find pasta with the whole grain type in the market or whether it is available here in the Philippines. If they are not, then I hope some suppliers would soon pop up for those who are dieting and want to have some fun while doing it. I am sure that the market for it will thrive.
5. Nuts
Yes! Nuts may be high in fats and that’s the sad part. But, the good news is, these are good fats that could help your circulatory system function well. They are also packed with nutrients, protein, and fiber which can help stabilize your blood sugar. Of course, when you eat a handful of these nuts, you will surely get a few extra grams of fats. This is more preferable though compared to consuming cookies, cakes and other sweet treats which are only packed with sugar and calories with zero nutrients.
However, this should not make you sad because even peanut butter can be a dieter's friend. Peanut butter is yummy, right? I usually go for the low- fat type. And I have more good news for you-in a study, it was found that people who ate a handful of nuts a day were slimmer and even live longer. So, why not go for nuts? Just be sure, you won’t go more than a handful a day or else, it will no longer be fun watching those weights grow by heaps.
I also suggest that you avoid cooking it with oil or frying it. Go for boiled nuts, instead.
We are losing again more space this time but I guarantee that there are still more on the list. You’ll have more of them next time. Until then!
Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)
