Take on Obesity with Tomatoes

If you want to fit into your favorite pair of jeans, then you might want to power up on plenty of fruits and vegetables, including tomato products. The United States has a well-publicized battle with the bulge - an estimated 2/3 of adults are overweight. And along with increased rates of obesity comes an onslaught of other health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, arthritis, and some forms of cancer.

If you’re interested in slimming down your lifestyle, a diet high in fruits and vegetables can help you do the trick. Research shows that if you choose foods that are natural low-calorie bargains, such as fruits and vegetables, it can help you lose weight. This strategy not only offers consistent weight loss, but greater weight maintenance. Adults hat eat higher amounts of fruits and vegetable tend to have a lower body weight. “Diets high in fruits and vegetables are low in fat and calories, helping us maintain a healthy weight and decrease the risk of obesity,” says Lynn Goldstein, MS, RD, a New York-based registered dietitian and holistic health counselor. According to a study from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University, reducing dietary calorie density, particularly by combining increased fruits and vegetable intakes with decreased fat intake, is an effective strategy for maintaining weight while controlling hunger.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, it’s a matter of balance. If you eat more
calories than your body needs, you will gain weight. By increasing your physical activity and decreasing your caloric intake, you can lose weight. Fruits and vegetables can speed you along the path to weight loss in many ways. Since most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories and fat, yet rich in nutrients and fiber, they give you a bigger bang for your buck. They can make you feel full and less deprived for a small investment of calories. You can fill out a petite serving of entrée on your plate with a double serving of most vegetables for about 25 calories. Tomato products are a perfect match for a weight control routine, because they are naturally low in calories and a good source of fiber. A skinny serving of canned tomatoes (100 grams) gets you 2 grams of fiber for only 32 calories and 0 grams of fat.

“The characteristics of tomatoes are that they are nutrient rich and very moderate in energy contribution. They can be used in a variety of dishes to expand the volume and offer greater satiety. They are a great carrier of spices, which suggests a satiety component,” says Britt Burton-Freeman, Ph.D., M.S., Director of Health Promoting Foods at the National Center for Food Safety & Technology at Illinois Institute of Technology. Tomato products are perfectly suited for maximizing a low-calorie diet by adding bold flavor and texture, without a calorie bonanza. Instead of relying on high-fat ingredients to jazz up your palate, dip into tomato products for flavor, seasoning, moisture, and more. You can make a small serving of pasta go a long way with marinara sauce. Stew up a pot of soup with a tomato base as a skinny alternative to cream-bases. Pour a can of tomatoes over chicken for a moist, flavorful cacciatore. Serve a spicy salsa instead of a creamy dip with your veggie platter. And drink a glass of tomato juice instead of OJ in the morning to shave off 70 calories from your breakfast.

Dive into tomatoes to help find the skinny in you!


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	Take on Obesity with Tomatoes If you want to fit into your favorite pair of jeans, then you might want to power up on plenty of fruits and vegetables, including tomato products. The United States has a well-publicized battle with the bulge - an estimated 2/3 of adults are overweight. And along with increased rates of obesity comes an onslaught of other health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, arthritis, and some forms of cancer. If you’re interested in slimming down your lifestyle, a diet high in fruits and vegetables can help you do the trick. Research shows that if you choose foods that are natural low-calorie bargains, such as fruits and vegetables, it can help you lose weight. This strategy not only offers consistent weight loss, but greater weight maintenance. Adults hat eat higher amounts of fruits and vegetable tend to have a lower body weight. “Diets high in fruits and vegetables are low in fat and calories, helping us maintain a healthy weight and decrease the risk of obesity,” says Lynn Goldstein, MS, RD, a New York-based registered dietitian and holistic health counselor. According to a study from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University, reducing dietary calorie density, particularly by combining increased fruits and vegetable intakes with decreased fat intake, is an effective strategy for maintaining weight while controlling hunger. When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, it’s a matter of balance. If you eat more calories than your body needs, you will gain weight. By increasing your physical activity and decreasing your caloric intake, you can lose weight. Fruits and vegetables can speed you along the path to weight loss in many ways. Since most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories and fat, yet rich in nutrients and fiber, they give you a bigger bang for your buck. They can make you feel full and less deprived for a small investment of calories. You can fill out a petite serving of entrée on your plate with a double serving of most vegetables for about 25 calories. Tomato products are a perfect match for a weight control routine, because they are naturally low in calories and a good source of fiber. A skinny serving of canned tomatoes (100 grams) gets you 2 grams of fiber for only 32 calories and 0 grams of fat. “The characteristics of tomatoes are that they are nutrient rich and very moderate in energy contribution. They can be used in a variety of dishes to expand the volume and offer greater satiety. They are a great carrier of spices, which suggests a satiety component,” says Britt Burton-Freeman, Ph.D., M.S., Director of Health Promoting Foods at the National Center for Food Safety & Technology at Illinois Institute of Technology. Tomato products are perfectly suited for maximizing a low-calorie diet by adding bold flavor and texture, without a calorie bonanza. Instead of relying on high-fat ingredients to jazz up your palate, dip into tomato products for flavor, seasoning, moisture, and more. You can make a small serving of pasta go a long way with marinara sauce. Stew up a pot of soup with a tomato base as a skinny alternative to cream-bases. Pour a can of tomatoes over chicken for a moist, flavorful cacciatore. Serve a spicy salsa instead of a creamy dip with your veggie platter. And drink a glass of tomato juice instead of OJ in the morning to shave off 70 calories from your breakfast. Dive into tomatoes to help find the skinny in you!