Exercise is the easy part of getting healthy and burning fat – the true challenge is with nutrition. Finding tasty foods that are healthy can get tough. After all, you can only eat the same meal so many times in a row. We’ve compiled a list of the 25 best fat burning foods to make it easy. The more foods you eat from this list
- Salmon
Salmon, especially wild caught is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. These fatty acids also help burn fat and keep the body running optimally. Even though salmon has bit more fat than other sources of protein fat helps fend off strong appetites making it easier to eat less throughout the rest of the day.
- Grilled Chicken
Protein is always king when it comes to burning fat. Protein is only 4 calories per gram and it the body burns more calories digesting protein than carbs or fats. Chicken breast is already naturally lean with minimal calories. Grilling chicken also melts off any excess fat that wasn’t trimmed off; plus grilled chicken tastes so much better than baked or boiled.
- Lean Ground Beef
Red meat used to be villanized for cholesterol but we now know red meat has plenty of health benefits. Red meat contains important B-vitamins. Research has shown it to help maintain and even improve testosterone levels.
- Shrimp
This crustacean is another exceptionally lean source of protein. While maybe not the most affordable source of protein the variety and tastiness can keep you on track deep into a diet. Just make sure not to bread and fry them.https://www.instagram.com/p/BapHPOWD8jn/?tagged=eggs
- Eggs
The quality of eggs has a huge impact on the nutritional content with organic vegetarian fed eggs being the best. Egg whites are another fat-free source of protein that has only positive impacts on body composition. The yolks although more calorie-packed have healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fats that support fat burning.
- Cayenne Pepper
An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that consuming capsaicin, a component found in hot peppers, improved belly fat loss by increasing the speed of digestion. Consuming spicy foods is also a well-researched trick to help eat less throughout the day. Having chips and salsa as an appetizer? Order the spiciest salsa you can get.
- Cauliflower
The hottest fat burning vegetable of the year has to be cauliflower. It barely has 25 calories per serving and is full of belly-filling fiber. Cauliflower is also a very dynamic vegetable that doesn’t get boring. It can be used to make a low carb rice alternative or even pizza crust.
- Cocoa Nibs
Cocoa Nibs are the pure form of chocolate before processing. Nibs have less sugar and more fiber helping to regulate the digestive system and process food more efficiently. It also increases mitochondria availability and nitric oxide levels crucial for getting a pump in the gym but also decreasing blood pressure.
- Broccoli
Full of vitamin K, vitamin C, chromium and folate broccoli is a certified fat burner. One cup is a negligible 31 calories but still packs 2.4 grams of fibers. That amount of fiber will keep anyone full, happy and leaner. For the cooking keep it simple by steaming it and avoiding adding calorie dense butter.https://www.instagram.com/p/Bao8tiuB0tG/?tagged=walnuts
- Walnuts
Nuts and especially walnuts are a great source of omega-3s and other vital nutrients. In fact, just one ounce of walnuts has 3 grams of alpha-linolenic acid. To get the best fat burning benefits pair it with fibrous veggies and water.
- Ginger
Ginger is most commonly known for its digestive benefits but its an excellent fat burner. Just adding ginger to meals increases calorie burn and the spiciness has similar benefits to cayenne peppers. Ginger is really an all around all star – it also reduces inflammation, boosts blood flow to muscles and helps with muscle recovery.
- Quinoa
This ancient grain is now in every supermarket and healthy menu. Quinoa is one of the rare grains to be a complete protein containing all the necessary amino acids. Not only is it a great source of protein but it’s also a solid source of fiber that has a low glycemic index keeping the body in a fat burning zone.
- Stone Ground Mustard
Mustard naturally has less than five calories servings. The stone ground version also contains primarily natural ingredients and flat out makes any boring meal delicious. Try swapping out higher calorie sauces like barbeque sauce for mustard and you’ll easily shave 100 calories off your diet.
- Coffee
The best fat burning supplement in the world is without a doubt coffee. The caffeine in coffee has numerous fat burning benefits. Caffeine blunts appetite and increases heart rate burning calories all on its own – just avoid adding any sweet creamers or syrups.https://www.instagram.com/p/Baow_j5BTS4/?tagged=hotsauce
- Hot Sauce
Another virtually calorie free food is hot sauce and even buffalo sauce. Spice up your eggs or chicken with this. Research has found that consuming hot sauce raises your body temperature, which the body fights to re-regulate and lower burning calories in the process. The spiciness also has been shown to decrease the amount of food consumed in one meal.
- Watermelon
If you find yourself in need of an extremely low-calorie snack watermelon is a go to. One cup of watermelon is only 46 calories. Watermelon is mostly water so it’s a great way to get hydrated and not worry about adding any extra calories.
- Strawberries
One strawberry is only four calories and a cup is only 47 calories. Strawberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C which helps the release of fat.
- Dark Chocolate
When we say dark, we mean it, at least 70% cacao content. Cacao contains antioxidant polyphenols like butyrate which helps the body burn fat and reduce inflammation. The darker chocolate is also fairly low calorie so you can get away with a little cheat snack of a couple squares of dark chocolate.
- Mushrooms
These tasty fungi have minimal calories with plenty of flavors. Since they come in plenty of shapes and sizes you’re likely to never get bored of them. Research has also found that those who replaced meats with mushrooms reduced calorie intake and increased fat burn.https://www.instagram.com/p/BapDGlOH5PC/?tagged=grapefruit
- Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a fat burning breakfast go to. The Journal of Metabolism published a study finding that participants who ate grapefruit for six weeks lost an entire inch of their waistlines. Grapefruits contain phytochemicals, a bioactive compound that research has shown to increase the production o adiponectin. Adiponectin is a hormone heavily involved in fat burning.
- Water
The only true zero calorie option on this list is water. The more you drink the better. Water plays a crucial role in every process within the body including fat loss. Research has consistently correlated drinking water with an improved fat loss. Drinking two cups of water before a meal decreases appetite. Drinking ice cold water has also been shown to increase calorie burn by up to 30%.
- Greek Yogurt
Why Greek yogurt and not regular yogurt? Greek yogurt is strained to remove sugars leaving a lower calorie higher protein version. Actually, just seven ounces has 20 grams of protein along with a blast of vitamin D and calcium that can blunt cortisol – a stress hormone linked to fat gain.
- Apples
An apple a day keeps the fat away? A typical apple only has about 100 calories. The fiber and high. Apples like green tea also contain polyphenols which research has shown to burn fat when consumed regularly.
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon isn’t just for fall, it’s great in oatmeal and even in your morning coffee. Japanese researchers fed mice cinnamon daily and found that mice lost belly fat while mice that didn’t get cinnamon saw no additional belly fat burned. Cinnamon works by keeping blood levels stable so the body can burn fat.https://www.instagram.com/p/BandGL1DR65/?tagged=citrus
- Citrus Fruits
Oranges, grapefruits, strawberries and other citrus foods are low calories but also chock full of Vitamin C. Remember that Vitamin C has been shown to help release fat and absorb Iron. High Iron levels improve energy so you can continue to stay active and burn calories.