10 foods proven to burn fat

by Anna Fleet

Drinking green tea is often credited for helping people lose weight thanks to a compound within called EGCG, which temporarily speeds metabolism.

Maybe you already knew that particular foods contain high thermogenic effect, which essentially means they help to boost your metabolism. However, the majority of the population has no idea exactly what foods burn calories as you chew, or contain particular nutrients and compounds that fuel your body’s internal metabolic furnace and help you literally melt the calories you consume far more quickly.

Here are ten foods proven to help you burn fat…

1. Hot Peppers

Chili peppers sure do have a kick! And it’s a compound called “capsaicin” that actually gives them their zip and heats up the body internally to help you burn off those excess calories. So if you want to melt extra fat away, you can start adding freshly chopped, dry, pepper spices like cayenne and red chilies, and hot sauces to your soups, sauces, and rice dishes.

2. Green Tea

Drinking green tea is often credited for helping people lose weight thanks to a compound within called EGCG, which temporarily speeds metabolism. So brew a pot and sip hot or put it in the fridge for a cold glass of green iced tea!

3. Oats

Did you know that when the body needs to break down whole foods like fiber-rich oatmeal it burns twice the calories? So start each day with a cup of oatmeal or sprinkle some oat bran on your soups, salads, and stir fry dishes to give your internal body a workout!

4. Grapefruit

There’s good reason why so many diets encourage folks to eat grapefruit on their list of consumable foods—just a half of the juicy fruit helps dissolve fat and cholesterol and fights arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). A medium-sized grapefruit only contains 74 calories; while providing 15 grams of pectin fiber, loads of vitamin C and potassium, and absolutely zero fat and sodium.

5. Lean Turkey or Chicken

Protein has a high thermogenic effect, which means it will continue to burn calories during digestion. Mix that

6. Lentils

Not only does one cup of lentils pack a one-two punch of iron (35-percent of your daily needs) and protein (with the least amount fat of the protein-rich foods)—they are also rich in potassium and extremely low in heart-damaging sodium.

7. Fish

Certain types of fish, like salmon, mackerel, and albacore tuna, contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote fat loss by boosting the metabolism and make you feel fuller for longer. The great thing about fish is that it packs a pretty low calorie count (i.e., a can of water packed tuna is a mere 90 to 120 calories) and eating fish regularly is shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, and relieve joint inflammation and arthritis.

8. Berries

Antioxidant-rich berries improve blood flow, which in turn builds strong muscles. They also keep your blood pressure within a healthy range, and their super low in calories per cup—blackberries have 74 calories, blueberries have 81 calories, raspberries have 60 calories, and strawberries have 45 calories.

9. Apples

An apple a day keeps the calories away for more than one reason—a few crispy bites safely elevate blood glucose (sugar levels), making an apple a great mid-afternoon snack that leaves you feeling satisfied longer—at just 80 calories with zero sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

10. Coffee

Sure, caffeine has its drawbacks, and excessive consumption can cause anxiety and insomnia. However, moderate coffee drinkers can rejoice in the fact that their morning cup of java is a metabolic enhancer, meaning that this stimulant naturally speeds up the metabolism and helps you burn more calories than normal. The key is what you add to your coffee—so leave out the sugar and substitute low fat milk for heavy cream.

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