They may be sour, but they can shrink your waist. Worth it? We think so.
Make Detox Water
Here at Eat This, Not That!, we’re big fans of detox water. Not only does it add some zing to your daily dose of H20, if you make a batch with lemon, you can also reap some major health benefits. D-limonene, a powerful compound found in lemon peels, stimulates liver enzymes to help flush toxins from the body and gives sluggish bowels a kick, according to the World Health Organization. You’ll also get a bit of vitamin C from the juices that seep into the water. We like to blend lemons with orange and lime slices, but there are countless ways to make a batch.
Put It In Your Tea
In a recent 12-week study, participants who combined a daily habit of 4 to 5 cups of green tea each day with a 25-minute sweat session lost an average of two more pounds than the non-tea-drinking exercisers. But sipping green tea won’t just help you trim down, it can help keep you healthy, too. Polyphenols in green tea block a “signaling molecule” called VEGF that triggers heart disease and cancer, according to a 2015 study from the Institute of Food Research. Although that sounds like a win, when you sip tea, a significant percentage of the polyphenol antioxidants break down before they reach your bloodstream. But researchers at Purdue University discovered that adding lemon juice to the equation helped preserve the polyphenols.
Use it to Flavor Roasted Veggies
Because vegetables are packed with filling fiber and health-boosting nutrients, adding more to your diet is one of the easiest ways to improve your health and lose weight. But not everyone loves the taste. One of the lowest-calorie ways to add flavor to vegetables is by roasting them. Lay your veggie of choice on a baking tray, drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper and bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes. Once the tray is out of the oven, squeeze on some lemon juice for added flavor. Don’t add the juice before the veggies go in the oven — high temps can damage vitamin C.
Make a Homemade Dressing
Ditch those chemical- and sugar-filled bottled dressings that can slow your weight-loss progress, and make a fresh batch with slimming lemon instead. To make our go-to lemon dressing, combine 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste.
Scrub Out Pesticides
Studies show that chemicals in pesticides called organochlorines can mess with the body’s energy-burning process. In fact, researchers found that dieters who ate the most toxins experienced a greater-than-normal dip in metabolism and had a harder time losing weight. If you can afford to, it’s best to buy organic fruits and veggies—especially when you’re eating the skins. If you’d rather hold on your shekels then spend them on pricy produce, though, vow to wash your food thoroughly before digging in. For an extra-deep cleaning, slice a lemon and squeeze a tablespoon of juice into a spray bottle filled with water. Then, spray the mixture onto your fruits and veggies before giving them a good scrub. The lemon juice will act as a natural disinfectant.
Skip the Lemonade Stand
Next time a craving for lemonade strikes on a hot day, resist the urge to head to your neighborhood stand. Just one 8-ounce glass of the the yellow drink can pack up to 25 grams of sugar, which is 50 percent of the day’s recommended intake.
Make Last-Minute Zoodles
Looking for a new, delicious twist on low-carb zoodles? If you have a lemon laying around and some basic culinary odds and ends, we’ve got you covered. After you’ve spiralized your squash, combine the the zest and juice of one lemon with four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, red chilli pepper flakes, and one finely chopped garlic clove. Mix the flavored oil with your cooked zoodles and serve with grated parmesan and a handful of spinach or arugula.
Flavor & Tenderize Your Meat
Not only can lemon juice can be used as a marinade, because it’s so acidic, it’s also a great meat tenderizer. Use it to soften tougher cuts of meat.
Make Healthier Desserts
Sometimes you just want a bite of something sweet that won’t throw you too off course with your diet.
Amp Up Your Oats
Looking for another way to eat more lemon? Add them to your oats!
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.