Eight+ Foods that Help Burn Fat

image credits: Alan Cleaver

Is it possible to eat yourself skinny? Maybe not, but there are foods that can help you burn fat and lose weight. Here are some healthier food choices.


Yogurt

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Dairy products in general are great foods for burning fat. Calcium helps trigger your metabolism, and the complex carbohydrates of milk help your insulin levels remain low after a meal, which is what you want for losing weight. Yogurt in particular can also promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut, which reduces bloating. Low-fat or fat-free, plain yogurt is the best choice.

Whole-Grains

Whole-grains contains plenty of complex carbohydrates and also gives your body a healthy dose of fiber. Those complex carbohydrates will keep your insulin levels from getting too high; when insulin levels are high, it’s a signal to your body to begin storing fat. Whole-grain cereal, or other whole-grain foods like brown rice, will help you burn fat with small, regular servings.

Chili Peppers

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Chili peppers, like jalapenos, habaneros, and cayenne chiles, contain a chemical that’s called capsaicin. Capsaicin helps to boost your metabolism and speed up your heart rate. Use jalapenos to jump start your system by flavoring your meals or snacks with them. People who consume just one spicy meal per day have been shown to burn up to 25% more calories.

Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with the powerful antioxidant EGCG, which speeds up your brain and your central nervous system. It works like caffeine, except it doesn't speed up your heart rate, and it offers lots of health benefits, including decreasing your risk of cancer and regulating your cholesterol. Drinking three cups of green tea every day will increase the calories you burn.

Apples

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and it can keep the pounds away, too. Apples are high in fiber, which means they can help fill you up and reduce the number of calories you eat at a meal. The antioxidants in apples can also help prevent metabolic syndrome, which can lead to weight gain, and is a combination of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and prediabetes.

Pine Nuts

Pine nuts have a high content of healthy fat, and eating them helps make you feel full by stimulating the “satiety hormone” called ghrelin. Ghrelin also helps you reduce food cravings, and it can help prevent fat in your belly from forming. Also, almonds have similar effects.

Oats

Oats are a type of whole-grain that are high in fiber, which helps you feel full and eat less. Oats are slow to digest, so they do not raise your blood insulin levels. Eating oatmeal, especially old-fashioned rolled oats, for breakfast helps boost your metabolism for the entire day.

Chicken

Chicken is a lean protein that helps to boost your metabolism. Try replacing at least one serving of carbohydrates per day with a protein like chicken, and you’ll burn more calories. Pork, salmon, and lean beef are also good sources of protein that will help your metabolism.

About the Author:

Lauren Williams is a professional chef and avid writer.  She enjoys blogging about family meal ideas and recipes for quick and easy dinners.