Foods to Eat to Burn Fat

Eating foods to burn fat is about choosing the foods that will increase the body's metabolism. Foods that increase metabolism do so temporarily and without permanent effects. These foods are successful because they effect another part of the body's function or the foods take time to digest, which will make the body work harder.

Breakfast

Eating a breakfast with skim milk, whole grain cereal, and oat is one way to boost metabolism. Consuming food when first waking has been shown to decrease weight, but when calcium, complex carbohydrates and fiber are added to that meal, a person can keep insulin levels low. When insulin levels spike, the body is forced to store fat. This commonly happens with simple carbohydrates. A complex carbohydrate takes longer to break down and does not cause such a fast release of insulin.

Spicy

Consuming spicy meals can boost metabolism for up to three hours after the meal. The capsacin found in jalapenos, habaneros, and cayenne peppers is what gives the metabolism a kick by increasing the heart rate in reaction to the spice. This is why some will sweat when eating peppers or spicy foods.

Caffienated Beverage

Drinking green tea or coffee will also increase the body's metabolism. Coffee does this by increasing the heart rate through caffeine. Green tea has a ingredient called Epigallocatechin Gallate, or EGCG, that stimulates the brain and nervous systems. In a study done on soldiers in Canada who drank caffeine 12 hours prior to working out, they were able to work out longer and increased their oxygen metabolism. This also sped up metabolism.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Sardines, tuna, and salmon are sources of omega 3 fatty acids. This type of fatty acid will decrease the body's levels of leptin, which will increase metabolism. Supplementation with omega 3 fatty acids do have the same affect for those who do not consume fish.

Lean Protiens

Proteins take a long time to digest, which causes the body to work harder. This will burn more calories just by choosing the right type of food to eat. Lean beef, turkey, chicken, and pork are good choices for protein that won't add a lot of fat to the diet and still take a while for the digestive system to break down. For vegetarians, or anyone else, edamame is a filling high protein snack made of soy beans.