Although there are no foods that will literally incinerate fat, consuming many types of foods can encourage weight and fat loss. Among these types of foods are several vegetables, which provide beneficial nutrients that can help you increase your rate of weight loss and aid in appetite control. While nutritional choices can enhance fat loss, exercising will increase the efficiency of your efforts, as you need to create a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose 1 lb. of fat.
Onions
Onions can be beneficial for burning belly fat due to several nutritional characteristics. Onions are low in calories, as 1 cup of onions provides just 64 calories; this amount is less than 25 percent of the calories in 1 cup of black beans. In addition, a study from the February 2009 edition of research journal "Folia Morphologica" indicates that onion juice consumption can enhance levels of testosterone. According to the June 2009 issue of "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism," increased testosterone can significantly reduce body fat.
Bok Choy
Bok choy is a leafy, green vegetable that can aid in your attempts to burn belly fat because it is very low in calories. A 1.5 cup serving of chopped bok choy provides just 10 calories, along with 1 g of fiber, a nutrient that promotes a feeling of fullness. Bok choy is also rich in calcium, and a study published in the January 2010 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity" indicates that increasing your calcium intake can aid in fat loss.
Spinach
Spinach is a beneficial vegetable for fat-burning because it is low in calories, providing just 23 calories per 100 g serving. This serving also offers more than 2 g of dietary fiber and 2 g of protein, which may aid in your weight loss efforts. Another fat-burning benefit of spinach is that it is rich in the amino acid leucine, which a study from the June 2007 issue of the journal "Diabetes" found could enhance fat loss.
Soybeans
Soybeans may aid in your fat loss efforts because they are rich in protein -- each 1/2 cup serving provides 10 g of this vital nutrient -- and because they offer a lot of fiber, 7 g in 1/2 cup. Soybeans provide 3.5 g of fat, but none of it is saturated. Eating unsaturated fat can also help you lose fat because it makes you feel full, which helps with appetite control.
References
- PubMed Health; Tips for Losing Weight; October 2009
- Livestrong.com: Eat Healthy: Onions
- Livestrong.com: Eat Healthy: Black Beans (Publix)
- "Folia Morphologica"; Evaluation of Androgenic Activity of Allium Cepa on Spermatogenesis in the Rat; A. Khaki, et al.; February 2009
- "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism"; Testosterone and Growth Hormone Improve Body Composition and Muscle Performance in Older Men; F.R. Sattler, et al.; June 2009
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Effect of Dairy and Non-Dairy Calicum on Fecal Fat Excretion in Lactose Digester and Maldigester Obese Adults; M.S. Buchowski, et al.; January 2010
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