Exercise and healthy eating habits are two well-known factors in losing weight. Although people are aware that exercise is an effective method for losing weight, they may not know the best exercise for getting the desirable results. The same concept applies to eating habits – people understand they should eat healthy but are not aware of what healthy means. Plant-based foods, like sprouts, are shown to have health benefits, while significantly contributing to weight loss.
Sprouts should be a staple food for those interested in a diet that promotes weight loss. A staple food is one you eat regularly and in significant qualities. Traditional staples of cultures throughout history are rice, beans, and wheat, all of which you can sprout. The process of sprouting these plant-based foods is to soak them in water, rehydrating them and germinating the seeds to grow.
Beans are the most common and easiest sprouts to grow. Some examples of beans that you can find (or grow!) easily are red beans, chickpeas, and lentils. These foods are high in nutrients such as fiber, B-vitamins and digestive enzymes and are low in calories.
Here’s how to eat sprouts for weight loss:
Low Calorie Dieting
Many people are told to eat low calories, again, without the understanding of how. They end up reducing calories by eating less, yet the foods they eat are also low in nutrients and keep them feeling hungry. After a while, hunger pangs outweigh the motivation to reduce calories, and people end up binge eating. Suffering through calorie restrictions can compromise the efforts of weight loss.
Beans are generally high in fiber, resulting in satiation. They are also known as a resistant starch, making them different from other carbohydrates such as processed bread, crackers, and pasta. Fiber helps with regularity as well, flushing the body of unnecessary components. Sprouting beans fortifies them with vital enzymes that aid in digestion. These foods are also low in calories and high in nutrients, which leaves people feeling fuller and even providing more energy throughout the day.
Energy and Digestion
B-vitamins are a plentiful nutrient in beans. These vitamins provide a sustainable source of energy throughout the day. Energy is especially useful for those who are exercising regularly to lose weight. The enzymes contained in sprouts aid in digestion while burning calories from exercise.
Other Benefits Contributing to Weight Loss
Sprouted beans are full of protein, which helps burn fat and build muscle. Chlorophyll is another component of sprouted plants, promoting oxygen in the blood. Other minerals occurring in these foods also help to purify the blood. Healthy blood fuels muscles and organs in the body. The characteristics of the particular vitamins and minerals present can also help lower cholesterol and boost the immune system. A healthy immune system protects the body against infection and illness.
Preparation and Recipes
Bean sprouts are not only nutritious and great for weight loss, but they can be easily grown at home. When soaked in water overnight and rinsed for a period of 2-3 days, these rehydrated beans will then begin to sprout a small white tail. At this point, the sprouts are ready for consumption, carrying a plethora of weight loss elements.
Once the plants have sprouted, The same recipes used with regular beans can also be used as sprouts recipes. For example, when making chili, sprouted beans can be added with or in place of black, red, or kidney beans. Other sprouts recipes include 3-bean salads or as a topping for regular green salads.
The weight loss trends of the day can be costly and difficult to source. Finding the right protein powder mentioned in that self-help book can be a hassle, especially if there are no health food stores nearby. However, dry beans are available at any local grocery store and for an affordable price. Dry beans are easily stored in a kitchen cupboard. Sprouting may seem arduous at first, but creating consistent habits will make the process easy and straightforward in the long run.
A combination of exercise and diet is ideal for weight loss. Research from blogs and articles similar to this one are important to help understand these terms and how to properly incorporate them into your weight loss journey. The most effective way to achieve optimal weight loss results is to integrate physical activity and healthy foods into an overall lifestyle.
