Fat loss foods are an important part of every weight watcher's diet. However, for the vast majority of people out there, food is food is food. They are essentially the same in that they give our bodies the nourishment needed to function effectively throughout the day. For the health-conscious, the only distinction we make between what's healthy and what's not is whether something is sugary or sweet. Foods that we lust for like cakes, chocolates and donuts, are categorized as “sin” foods and we take great (often unsuccessful measures) to avoid them.
However, there is another category. There are foods that actually burn fat and make you lose weight no matter how much you take in (yes!). They fight stored fat by burning more calories than what they contain in and of themselves and when coupled with exercise, increases your metabolism so you burn even more fat even a few hours after your workout. Excited? Here's that list. Some choices might even surprise you. Enjoy!
1. Citrus fruits. Oranges, lemons, papayas, grapefruits and guavas are loaded with Vitamin C that naturally speeds up the body's fat-burning ability. These foods also dilute the fat and flush it out of your system.
2. Oatmeal. It's an extremely filling food which comes in different flavors and modes of preparation (quick cook or instant). Not only does oatmeal increase your metabolism by about 10% so you burn fat quicker, it's cheap and has lots of fiber and is good for the heart.
3. Nuts. Almonds, peanuts, name them. They're fat-burning foods that keep you full for the whole day.
4. Cheese, milk and yogurt. These foods are rich in calcium that breaks the fat in cells and makes you lose weight. Not only that, it boosts up your metabolism and keeps insulin levels low which results in preventing your body from storing fat.
5. Eggs. Taking a few a week sheds those excess pounds. They are packed with Vitamin B12 that destroys fat cells and the high protein component in them makes them difficult to digest—a good thing since that boosts your metabolism and makes you lose the fat. What's more, eggs are easy-on-the-pocket, too.
6. Peppers. Jalapeno, habaneros and cayenne are considered thermogenic foods—meaning you get to burn more calories even minutes after you've consumed them. They jumpstart your metabolism, burn fat and make you lose weight.
7. Green tea. Not only is this a potent anti-oxidant that is known to fight cancer, green tea accelerates your metabolism, heats up your nervous system and enables your body to burn more calories.
8. Fish. Tuna, in particular, revs up your metabolism and aids in muscle production which help you lose the fat. Sardines, meanwhile, are protein-packed and have high fish-oil content that burns up unwanted fats.
9. Chicken and Turkey. Both are great sources of protein that aid in fat-burning. Just make sure to have the skins removed.
10. Pork and beef. Yes! But we're talking about the lean parts here. These are great fat-burners because it takes your body a lot of energy to digest the protein in pork and beef. Stay away from the fatty parts, though.
Be sure to check out this Shakeology review, it is my favorite fat loss weapon. Also, don't forget to check out this article called "how to do the Shakeology fast".
Kylie is a full-time mother of 3 and a freelance writer for ShakeNutrition.com.