Did you know you can sizzle fat without hitting the gym 24-7? You can do it with food! Eating smart can help you keep your waistline looking trim. That means choosing low-fat, high-protein, high-fiber foods rich in “good fats” that can kick-start your metabolism. Read on to find out what foods will help you feel more empowered to reach your weight-loss goals!
Lean Meats
Turkey, white meat chicken, and lean cuts of pork and beef help build muscle and strengthen the immune system. They also help increase metabolism, too. How? The more protein you consume, the harder your body has to work to digest it, which means more calories for your body to burn. How’s that for burning fat without breaking out in a sweat? But keep in mind the keyword here: lean. Steer clear of well-marbled cuts of beef like T-bone in favor of leaner cuts like top round. For pork, try grilled chops seasoned with fresh herbs rather than ribs slathered with BBQ sauce.
Whole Grains
Small doses of whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and whole-grain cereal can prevent the body from storing fat. Whole grains are a great source of complex carbs and fiber – things you need to keep your metabolism pumped by keeping levels of insulin, a fat-promoting hormone,
low after a meal. And low insulin levels are desirable, as high insulin levels are the signal to your body to hang onto fat.
Fatty Fish
Fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel provide excellent sources of protein and are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can alter levels of leptin, a hormone associated with burning calories. University of Wisconsin researchers discovered that mice with low leptin levels had faster metabolisms and burned fat more efficiently than animals with higher leptin levels. If you can’t stand fish, fish-oil supplements
such as Nutrishop’s Omega 3 are just as effective as the real thing.
Dark Chocolate
Yes, you read that right. Dark chocolate is a great source of monounsaturated fatty acid, a type of heart-healthy, disease-fighting “good” fat found in foods like almonds, peanut butter, and even chocolate. A slow nibble of dark or semi-sweet chocolate can slow down digestion, so you feel full longer and in between meals. And not only can it help keep your belly flat, but studies also show eating small amounts of dark chocolate is good for your heart and brain and helps control blood sugar.
Green Tea
Originally from China, green tea is not only a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, but it also helps fight fat. Green tea contains a chemical called EGCG that causes the brain and nervous system to run faster and helps you burn more calories. Researchers at Fudan University in Shanghai found people who drank regular doses of green tea every day for 90 days lost more body fat than those who did not. We want our cups (of green tea) to runneth over!
