Kiwis
These sweet, tart treats are now showing up in even the smallest grocery stores. And nibbling one or two of them daily could help you reach your weight loss goals a whole lot sooner. That's because kiwis are loaded with chlorophyll -- a green pigment that heals and energizes the liver, increasing this organ's ability to burn fat for fuel, Another perk: A study published in the journal Thorax suggests that the kiwi's healing vitamin C and chlorophyll can help cut lung troubles -- like shortness of breath and wheezing during exercise -- by as much as 32 percent.
Lima Beans
To lose weight at a steady clip, you need to keep your blood sugar levels low, since your body will only dip into your fat stores if its supply of easy-to-burn sugars dries up,
Chilies
Jalapenos, habaneros, serranos, fresnos...these mouth-watering fruits (yes, they're fruits!) can do a lot more than just jazz up your favorite soups and chilies. According to a British research team, their active ingredient -- capsaicin -- can also boost your fat-burning metabolic rate by 10 percent for up to three hours at a stretch. Another fiery fact: Canadian research shows that chilies suppress appetite, helping you feel full on 200 fewer calories per meal
Green Beans
Add half a cup of green beans to your evening meal and you'll feel full almost twice as quickly -- and stay full for three hours straight, say Stanford University researchers. Credit green beans' appetite-controlling blend of omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and fiber. And here's the kicker: According to Stanford studies, green beans are also high in anti-inflammatory enzymes -- compounds that can help flush excess water weight out of cellulite-prone areas
Watermelon
If you're looking for a slimming snack, watermelon can't be beat. You'd have to eat six cups of the stuff to get the calories in just half a cup of Haagen-Daz vanilla ice cream! And watermelon's no slouch in the beauty-boosting department, either. According to Tufts University researchers, it's loaded with lycopene -- a plant compound that acts like an internal sunblock, upping your protection against damaging UV rays by as much as 46 percent, helping to prevent collagen damage and skin sagging.
Pluots
These tasty fruits (which are sometimes sold under the name dinosaur eggs due to their odd coloring) are actually part plum and part apricot. And if a sweet tooth is killing your efforts to stick to a healthy diet, enjoying two of them daily could be your ticket to slim. Pluots have an intense, sweet flavor and delicate, fruity scent -- and when their distinctive taste and smell reach your brain's olfactory nerve, they can shut down sugar cravings in as little as five minutes, says Dr. Hirsch.
Strawberries
Who can resist a bowl of juicy red berries? Pop 'em freely, because they're the perfect summer snack: filling, light on calories and laden with nutrients from omega 3 fats to cancer-fighting polyphenols. "Just half a cup of strawberries provides over 70 percent of your daily Vitamin C, plus fiber and an array of antioxidants," says weight-loss coach Jackie Keller.
Squash
From pattypan to zucchini, summer squash delivers major vitamins and nutrients (including magnesium, potassium and copper), to the tune of a mere 80 calories per half cup. With its bright colors and earthy flavor, squash makes the perfect side dish to any meal. On BBQ days, toss zucchini on the grill.
Mangoes
Dense with antioxidants -- plus protein and omega 3 fats -- mangoes are a delicious, low-calorie way to bulk up meals with exotic flavor, ensuring "healthy" fare doesn't fall into a rut. Toss on top of oatmeal or yogurt, in salads and even in stir-fries.
Gala Apple:
They start cropping up in August, and their mild, sweet flavor, thin skin, small size and resistance to bruising makes them one of the most loved apples nationwide. Munch one before lunch and another before supper, and Brazilian researchers say you could effortlessly shed three pounds of fat in one month. The reason? Apples are nature's number one source of pectin -- a soluble fiber that blocks the absorption of dietary fats. Good news: Apples are also rich in quercetin and ellagic acid -- compounds that cut your liver's production of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol by 34 percent, say researchers at the University of California at Davis.
