Eating specific foods may help increase your body's fat burning ability by giving a boost to your metabolism. Building muscle through dieting and exercise is the only way to speed up your metabolism on a permanent basis. Eat the right types of food to get the temporary boosts you need to lose weight in the long run.
Beans
Beans are a healthy way to fire up your body's fat-burning capabilities and give you a great source of iron, fiber and protein. Some of the more optimal fat burning options include white beans, lima beans, navy beans and kidney beans, according to "Fat Burning Foods: An A-Z List of Foods that Burn Fat to Start a Healthy Diet." When you are trying to lose weight, you'll want to stay away from refried beans and baked beans. While baked beans, a favorite at many family gatherings and cookouts, still give you the protein you are looking for, they are also packed with sugar, which you want to avoid. Refried beans are high in additives and saturated fat.
Oats
Oats get your metabolism going because of the rich amounts of protein that it provides. Oatmeal is generally considered a breakfast food, which is your most vital meal of the day, especially if you are attempting to lose weight. Oatmeal doesn't cause large spikes in your insulin levels as do carbohydrates such as bagels or toast. It also breaks down at a slow pace, keeping you from feeling hungry for a long time after eating it. Stick to steel cut oats or, if you must eat instant oatmeal, select the plain variety and add your own fruit. Flavored oatmeal is packed with sugar and other additives that turn it from a healthy food to a dieting pitfall.
Broccoli
Broccoli is considered to be a "super food." Super foods are those that are so nutritious, it is impossible to eat too much of. Broccoli is loaded with fiber, calcium, folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin C. The fiber, vitamin C and calcium all help to increase your metabolism and burn fat from your body. Broccoli also contains antioxidants, which are helpful for protecting your body against certain forms of cancer and heart disease.
Citrus
Citrus fruits are considered fat fighters, again, due to being rich in fiber and vitamin C. The vitamin C in citrus fruits not only increases the speed at which your body burns fat, but it also helps to dilute existing fat. Some of the best choices for citrus fruits include limes, tangerines, lemons, papaya, oranges, grapefruit and guava, according to "The Fat-Burning Bible: 28 Days of Foods, Supplements and Workouts that Help You Lose Weight."
References
- "Fat Burning Foods: An A-Z List of Foods to Start a Healthy Diet"; C Elias; 2010
- "The Fat-Burning Bible: 28 Days of Foods, Supplements and Workouts that Help You Lose Weight"; Mackie Shilstone; 2006
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