I know right- This does seem miraculous and too good to be true. But trust us, this is 101% true. There are foods that burn our fat naturally by increasing the metabolism, triggering hormones that release fat, and eliminating toxins that make it hard for your body to shed those unwanted kilos. BUT for these foods to work up their magic, they have to be consumed as part of a clean diet. Don’t expect to eat few fat-burning foods after a high intake of junk food.
Foods to Eat to Lose Weight
These top 16 foods burn the fats naturally. But that doesn’t mean you can stop exercising or any other physical activity. These foods help in cutting down excessive calorie intake.
1. Kale:
Kale is not only nutrient dense but also helps in flushing out toxins and suppressing appetite. It charges liver’s detoxification pathway for about 48 hours. Combine kale with yellow and green bell peppers and avocadoes and enjoy a healthy and super fat burning salad or whisk up a smoothie.
2. Oatmeal:
A bowl of oats in the morning, with some chopped nuts, strawberries, a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg and you have a healthiest and tastiest breakfast in under 5 minutes. You can also add oats to smoothies for hat extra energy and to keep hunger pangs under control. You can also go for Cornflakes or Museli instead of oatmeal.
3. Citrus fruits:
Oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, kiwi fruits and tangerines are some of the best picks. The high acidity of these fruits slows down the digestion thereby keeping you fuller for longer time. Add them to salad dressings, use in meat or seafood marinades, or squeeze into a glass of water to have with dinner. You can also eat oranges, grapefruits and kiwis for healthy snack/breakfast options.
4. Sweet Potatoes:
Sweet potatoes are full of flavors, hence you don’t need to garnish them with added flavours and sauces. Hence, you cut back on many calories that are gained by these toppings. They are very high in fibre which is why you feel full even after having a small bowl of sweet potatoes.
5. Nuts:
Just another excuse to eat nuts. These are wonderful for losing weight and also help in lowering the cholesterol. They are a great source of mood-boosting magnesium, without which the part of the brain that regulates melatonin is thrown off, which disrupts our sleep. Keep a small bowl in the kitchen or on dining table and grab a handful when feeling peckish between meals.
6. Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is one of the most preferred spice in almost every dessert and beverage and meals. It has many medicinal properties. It’s just not used for baking buns these days. You can get weight loss benefits simply by adding more cinnamon to your diet and see the positive results yourself. The way cinnamon help in regulating blood glucose levels, they play a major role in maintaining good blood sugar levels also helps in resisting cravings.
Alternatively, you can also substitute sugar with cinnamon in tea and coffee- it would taste amazing and you get do get a bonus- cutting the calories and increased immunity. The active ingredient in cinnamon makes fat cells significantly more responsive to insulin, which increases your metabolism by 20 percent.
7. Mustard:
Mustard oil is mostly used in winter months, but 1 tsp of this oil increases the metabolism by upto 25%. So go ahead and use this wonder oil in your meals.
8. Ginger:
This medicinal and flavourful root contains many acids that stimulates gastric enzymes that boosts the metabolism by about 20-30%. Ginger has also been found to lower cholesterol and thin your blood. It is also beneficial in many infections and are used as home remedies.
9. Broccoli and Spinach:
How can we forget these greens? They are virtually the most important foods around. With no fats and high water content and loads of vitamins and minerals these have to be one of the most important foods on your plate. Celery, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, Spinach etc., are all great options to choose.
10. Salmon:
Salmon contains high amounts of omega-3. You might think it’s too fatty to be a weight loss super food, but its omega-3 content is what trumps any other concerns of this food.
11. Cottage cheese:
Choose from the low-variety options of cottage cheese- these are preferable for the naturally occurring high-quality protein. Especially for people who are not keen on fishes and meats, cottage cheese is one of the sources for high-protein diet for them.
12. Tomatoes:
They’re quite low on the calorie meter, but because of the high fiber content they make you feel full after gorging on them. The lycopene, a compound in tomatoes, has antioxidants that are potentially helpful with a myriad of diseases and conditions.
13. Beans, Peas and Legumes:
They are full of protein and fibre, which is the reason enough to gorge on them. Combine them with brown rice, barley, wheat and corn and add them to soups, salads or simply steam them or stir them in olive oil- They are very beneficial and very low on fats.
14. Green tea:
Beneficial effects of this super-super food cannot be stressed. It is definitely a winner among many other foods and beverages. It is high in anti-oxidants and phytonutrients. With regular drinking, one can manage their weight, can control many infections, can clear out your acne and flushes out the toxins. Go ahead and include green tea in your diet. If you find it a big pungent, you can add a tsp of honey, which will only increase its benefits.
15. Peppers:
Pepper increases the metabolic rate of dietary fats by 15-20% for about 2 hours after eating and lowers the appetite between meals. Hot peppers like habaneros, jalapenos, and chipotles can actually help you to lose weight, besides adding flavor and taste to the dishes they are added in. The compound capsaicin provides several benefits that relates to losing weight.
16. Flax Seeds:
You can sprinkle flax seeds on almost anything and everything. Ground roasted flax-seeds are most preferable because if not chewed properly then the body would not be able to absorb it. Flax-seeds is among the super-foods because it contains omega-3s and fiber, which will help you feel full.
It’s the essential fatty acids in these seeds that also work to give your metabolism a boost. As a side bonus it also lowers the levels of bad cholesterol in your body.
17. Lean meats:
Beef, lamb,and pork are the best. Buy the leanest cuts and trim any visible fat. Red meat is also an excellent source of iron, essential fatty acids, folate and B12. Don’t overcook red meat to keep amino acids (protein) intact.
By: Archa Dave
