Fat burning foods: what are they? Are you always looking for some diet that will help you lose weight? Is the costume test approaching? You’ve probably already heard of fat-burning foods and induced thermogenesis.
We don’t want to offer you any miracles, just basic advice that can help you. Simply put, every time we eat our body must spend part of the energy available to it for digestion. This process typically makes up about 10% of your daily calorie needs.
However, it is true that this percentage can be increased through the intake of those foods which, as we have already seen in the article dedicated to metabolism, are called fat-burning foods.
There is no food that, once introduced through your diet, is capable of making you lose weight. But it is also true that there are many foods capable of triggering positive effects on your metabolism and, indirectly, making dieting easier. We often convince ourselves that the less we eat, the more we lose weight. Nothing could be more wrong! You just need to choose the right foods in the right quantities.
Fat burning foods
These are certainly not miracle foods that can make you lose weight in the blink of an eye, but they are foods whose digestion requires greater energy expenditure than others.
Generally, the foods with the highest thermogenic value are those that also have a low caloric intake and which hinder the absorption of fats. Here are the main ones divided by categories:
Fat burning fruit
- Pineapple : the important presence of bromelain (enzyme) helps absorb even the most complex proteins. Furthermore, the 90% of water and the organic acids of which it is composed have a diuretic action that fights water retention and cellulite .
- Grapefruit : eaten entirely (even the skin), helps reduce the absorption of foods during their intestinal transit. It is also a great ally in the fight against fats and cholesterol as it contributes to the transformation of fats into energy.
- Strawberries : rich in vitamins C, they have purifying, detoxifying, antioxidant and diuretic effects.
- Melons : in addition to aiding digestion, their high fiber and water content helps circulation and promotes the lowering of cholesterol and the elimination of excess triglycerides.
Fat burning vegetables
- Green salad : composed mainly of water and fibre, the salad has a high satiating power and a very low caloric intake.
- Cruciferous vegetables (family that includes all types of cabbage, broccoli, etc.) : rich in fibre, vitamins and potassium, these anti-cancer vegetables are one of the most nutritious foods to include in our diet.
- Onions : among the various beneficial properties of this vegetable we can certainly mention vitamin C, the draining effect and the presence of ferments that help digestion and stimulate the metabolism.
Spices that help you burn fat
- Chili pepper and spicy foods : increase the heat of the body, favoring the acceleration of the metabolism.
- Cinnamon : helps regulate the percentage of sugar in the blood, aids digestion and dampens hunger stimuli.
- Cumin : rich in antioxidant properties, cumin has warming properties and helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Protein on a diet
White meat (chicken, turkey, etc.) : they are considered fat-burning foods due to their low calorie content, low percentage of fat and the presence of branched chain amino acids which promote metabolic and intestinal functions.
Egg white : composed mainly of mineral salts and proteins, but lacking in fat, egg white is also one of the favorite foods of athletes who want to increase their muscle mass without ingesting excess fat.
Shellfish : dispelling the myth that shellfish cannot be eaten if you are on a diet due to the high level of cholesterol, shellfish have nutritional properties such as vitamins, antioxidants and mineral salts.
Water: How much and what to drink when exercising?
Fat burning drinks
Green tea : decidedly low in calories, green tea helps release excess fluids and reduce the absorption of fats.
Cold water : drinking cold water stimulates the body to produce heat, drawing on caloric reserves, to restore thermal balance. But be careful not to overdo it!
Apple cider vinegar : less acidic than wine vinegar, this condiment appears to help destroy localized fat deposits and prevent their formation.
We could mention many other foods with high thermogenic value such as mango, kiwi, apple, barley, saffron, potatoes etc.
This list of fat-burning foods provides a good base from which to draw when creating tasty meals. Small tricks such as flavoring with spices, or adding healthy and allied foods in the fight against fat can really make the difference.
Keep in mind, however, that simply consuming these foods is not enough to miraculously lose weight. The main work must be done by following a balanced diet and doing physical activity.
How to burn more calories to lose weight
IN SUMMARY, to burn more calories and wake up your metabolism, remember to:
- Choose fruit rich in sugars, which require more energy to be assimilated, and vitamin C, a powerful natural fat burner.
- Consume vegetables rich in water and fiber.
- Opt for lean, low-fat meats.
Don’t underestimate the power of variety in a diet. Compose your dishes by combining various foods and use spices to make your dishes tastier.
