Healthful Roasted Grapefuit Brûlée

With summer clothes already hanging in shops, those of us carrying more than we’d like around the middle, will likely pass over skimpy seasonal dresses in favor of over-sized shorts and shirts. The health complications associated with being overweight include cancer, heart disease, infertility and type 2 diabetes making this the perfect time to start thinking about eating healthy foods that contains certain fat-busting nutrients which could help reduce waistlines in time for summer and its attendant swimsuits.

There are a number of foods that can help battle the bulge in our stomachs. The best bet for saying farewell to that muffin top is a diet which contains plenty of these foods and is accompanied with an exercise program that combines aerobic fat-burning exercise as well as exercises that strengthen and tone stomach muscles. Trekking through the mall shopping for new clothes may even burn a few more calories– just stay away from the cupcake counter.

Professionals advise replacing high-fat and sugary foods with the following healthy ones:

Low-fat protein: 
Protein is essential to boost your metabolism and should make up one third of every meal. Fish and skinless poultry are better choices for weight loss than red meat. Oily fish, which is high in omega 3, and low-fat yogurt, are other excellent sources of protein.

Oats and grains:
The insoluble fiber in oats and grains mean your body takes longer to digest and absorb them so you feel fuller for longer with fewer calories being transferred to body fat. Complex carbohydrates such as barley, quinoa or brown rice should constitute around another third of each meal.

Green vegetables: 
Broccoli, cabbage, spinach, asparagus, peas, lettuce and cucumber are all high in fiber while being low in calories. They are also fantastic sources of vitamins and minerals and should make up a third of every lunch and dinner plate.

Fruit: 

Scientists have suggested that vitamin C can help your body to burn fat. They are also a good source of fiber and are lower in calories than many refined foods. Berries such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries contain anthocyanin, which are also thought to help the body metabolize fat. Grapefruit breakfasts have helped many people lose weight; they can make an excellent dessert as well.

Roasted Grapefruit

• 2 red or pink grapefruits
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Halve each grapefruit crosswise, and cut a thin slice off the bottom of each half to stabilize the pieces. Remove all seeds from the grapefruit, and loosen the segments with a paring knife.

Sprinkle each half evenly with a tablespoon of brown sugar. Place under the broiler until the sugar is caramelized which should take about 3-5 minutes depending on your oven. Sprinkle the cooked grapefruit with the sea salt and serve immediately.