6 Fat Burning Foods that Shed Real Pounds

Posted in: Diet & Nutrition
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Susan Ohtake, CPT

Exercise alone can't take off years of stored fat...you also have to watch what you eat. But nutrition is so much more important than just calories-in-calories out. I personally hate counting calories, so I prefer to focus on food replacements for the junk foods and empty calories in your diet now. Here are 6 fat-burning foods that satisfy junk food cravings and help fill you up while working to melt away fat...

Nuts

Known for their high, but healthy fat content, nuts are a nutritious snack and full of benefits. Nuts are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, which are good elements for weight loss. However, consuming too many could have the opposite effect, so it's important to have portion control. In addition, having just 1.5 ounces per day could reduce the risk of heart disease.

One tip here: Be sure to pay attention to how the nuts you eat were prepared. Many processing facilities heavily coat nuts with vegetable oil and salt. Watch the nutrition label!

Fresh Fruits

Swapping out junk food for fresh fruits is one way to lose weight...when done right. Fresh fruits are full of things we need like minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Plus, they are low in calories, which makes letting go of that bag of chips worth it for the waistline. Because of their fiber, fruits are able to keep you full and naturally reduces your appetite. Studies have actually shown that fiber is associated with weight loss.

However, not all things that say fruit are created equal. You might be tempted to grab some fruit juice at the grocery store to help with your weight loss, but it's not really worth it. In fact, fruit juice is linked to obesity. In the process of juice-making, so many vital nutrients are taken away and you're left with just sugars and calories.

Stay away from the fruit juice but feel free to keep an apple nearby. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Vegetables

It's probably not surprising, but certain vegetables can help you slim down by increasing your metabolism and burning off the fat genes. Consider adding peppers to your meal to take advantage of their metabolism boosting compounds. Broccoli is also great for you because of its ability to fight off body fat storage and keep cortisol levels at bay. What does cortisol have to do with anything? Well, when we're in stressful situations, our body produces more of it, which makes us crave fatty foods.

Also, don't forget about spinach. Popeye the Sailor Man was on to something and we shouldn't ignore it. This vegetable is packed full of nutrients that help with muscle growth and recovery. It also has thylakoids, which has been shown to greatly reduce cravings and promote weight loss.

Coconut Oil

It turns out that coconut oil can do more than just moisturize our skin and hair. The omega-3 fatty acids found in coconut oil helps in enhancing your metabolism. Also, the oil isn't harsh to digest and it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Eggs

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to enhance your protein intake, then look no further than eggs. They are packed full of protein, which will ultimately help you with building muscle.

Did you know that protein also helps reduce your appetite? Eating more protein reduces your likelihood of overeating because it fills you up and stops cravings.

Lean Beef and Chicken

In the last few years, meat products have been getting a lot of heat, but they actually do have some benefits! Like eggs, meats are very high in protein and should be considered a weight loss friendly food. Studies have shown that increasing your protein intake by just 25 - 30 percent of calories could cut your food cravings up to 60 percent. So, don't write off meat just yet!

Get Ready To Shed Real Pounds

Now that you know what foods you can prepare to help you on your weight loss journey, you'll really start seeing some changes. In addition, these food items can be prepared for not only you, but the whole family. There's nothing like being able to implement healthy habits and healthy foods without taking up too much time.

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