We all know that many foods are bad for us – and it seems like that list of foods is growing every single day. What you can’t eat seems to constantly outweigh what you can, and the cycle can get depressing. However, you don’t have to associate eating with gaining weight.
In fact, there are tons of fat burning foods out there that actually help you burn fat when you eat them – instead of the other way around. Here are 10 fat burning foods that will flip the “burn” switch in your body and allow you to shed more pounds than if you weren’t eating these amazing foods.
1. Almonds And Other Nuts
Almonds contain a high amount of protein and are excellent at reducing cravings. They will help you retain or even build muscle, and can be used for a healthy, filling snack in between meals. Adding almonds to other things you eat can also add flavor and a fun, crunchy texture to an otherwise boring dish.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the best fat burning foods out there. High in antioxidants, it can help flush out toxins that build up in your body and are stored in fat cells. Green tea also has caffeine in it, raising your metabolism and helping it to burn more calories all day. Make sure to drink water in addition to your green tea – although green tea is made with water, the caffeine will cause you to urinate out as much water as you’re taking in with the tea. So sip your tea and your water each day.
3. Green Vegetables
Green vegetables are quite possibly nature’s perfect food. Full of the good stuff that will satisfy you and keep you feeling full longer, they are also very low in calories. Eat raw green veggies like broccoli, celery and spinach for the highest nutrient count, or braise a zucchini with light oil and seasonings for the perfect side item for lunch or dinner.
4. Chili Peppers
Chili peppers (and other hot peppers) speed up the metabolism and help it to burn fat faster. This is due to the capsaicin found within the peppers – the component that makes them hot. The heat makes the body work harder to digest the food, in turn, burning more calories than digestion normally does.
5. Lean Meats
Lean meats are an excellent source of protein and will help you build muscle – and muscle burns more fat. Also, eating lean meats can fill you up and help you feel less hungry. The body takes longer to digest meat based protein than say, carbohydrates, which will cause you to burn more calories during digestion.
6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been used for years by diabetics to help regulate blood sugar. When your blood sugar is regulated, you will not feel as hungry as often. You don’t want your blood sugar to get too high, and you definitely don’t want it to get too low. Keeping your blood sugar on an even keel helps you to feel satisfied all day. Simply add ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon to something you eat each day, such as yogurt, oatmeal or even your tea.
7. Grapefruit
Grapefruit may not be super tasty, but it does have lots of soluble fiber and antioxidants. The fiber will help you feel full, while the antioxidants will help flush toxins out of your system. Resist the urge to put sugar on your grapefruit, or all of your grapefruit eating will be for naught.
8. Strawberries & Other Berries
Strawberries and other berries are full of powerful vitamins and antioxidants, which charge your body for fat burning. They are excellent fat burning foods, but they are also a great dessert replacement. Since they’re sweet, eating them after a meal instead of chocolate or other candy will help you satisfy that nagging sweet tooth.
9. Coffee
For the same reason that green tea burns more fat, coffee does too. It makes your heart rate rise, which in turn will burn more calories. Coffee can contain a bit more caffeine than green tea, so it may not be the best choice for very caffeine sensitive people. If you up your coffee intake in order to burn fat, just make sure you’re not adding cream and sugar to each cup or you’ll defeat the purpose. Also remember to drink your water!
10. Vinegar
Vinegar is another one of the greatest fat burning foods and can easily be added to lots of things, including salads, sautéed vegetables and if it doesn’t gross you out too much, it can even be taken straight. There are all different kinds of vinegar, from white vinegar to apple cider vinegar to red wine vinegar and more. New research is showing that vinegar is helps to break down fat, making it easier for your body to get rid of.
If you up your intake of any one (or more) of these fat burning foods in addition to a healthy diet and exercise routine, you should notice that over time, your body becomes leaner, fitter and healthier!