Healthy Food Choices to Burn Fat

If you want to burn fat and lose a few inches from your body, eat foods that allow you to feel satiated with fewer calories. Eating less than your body requires is key to burning fat. Lowering your carbohydrate intake also can help your body dip into your body fat stores more easily, according to Dr. Michael R. Eades, author of a best-seller on the power of protein.

Leafy Greens and Nonstarchy Vegetables

Fill up half of your plate with nonstarchy vegetables. Leafy greens are a popular base for any fiber-rich and low-calorie salad. Add cucumber slices, a few olives, cherry tomatoes and green onions and drizzle them with an olive oil-based vinaigrette. Change it up by filling half of your plate with stir-fried vegetables, such as onions, mushrooms and bok choy. The fiber and low calorie content of nonstarchy vegetables helps you take in less calories because of their satiating power.

Berries

Help your body burn fat by avoiding sweets and desserts that are high in calories and sugar. In addition to not being healthy, these foods promote overeating and cravings. Replace them with berries. Berries contain sugar but in very small amounts, and they are packed with antioxidants and fiber. End your meal with 1/2 to 1 cup of blueberries, strawberries or raspberries. To make your treat more special without hindering your fat burning, drizzle your berries with either 2 tbsp. of Mediterranean yogurt, 1 tbsp. of cream or 1/2 oz. of melted dark chocolate.

Coconut Oil

The main fat found in coconut oil, called MCT or medium-chain triglyceride, can promote fat burning, as published in the March 2002 issue of "Journal of Nutrition." Replace your usual oil with coconut oil to stir-fry your vegetables or cook your eggs or meat. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your tea for a nice coconut flavor that can help boost your fat-burning abilities. Coconut oil also can be used in baking. If you bake cookies or muffins, make them healthier by cutting down on the sugar and using coconut oil instead of other vegetable oils.

Protein Foods

Protein promotes satiety more than carbohydrates, according to the May 2008 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." Feeling satisfied can help you stick to your healthy meal plan. Decrease your serving of carb-rich foods, such as sugar, rice, pasta or potatoes, and include a decent serving of 4 to 6 oz. of protein at each of your meals. For example, have scramble eggs with smoked salmon for breakfast, a chicken breast with cheese for lunch and a serving of pork, beef or game meat for dinner.