Fat Burning Foods
Fat burning foods can be a dieter’s secret weapon against the battle of the bulge. While exercising may help you drop the pounds, your body transformation is really made in the kitchen, not the gym. So eating the right foods is necessary for achieving a leaner figure.
Yes, we’ve all heard about the generic fat burning foods, such as fiber-rich whole grains that help keep you fuller and stabilize blood sugar levels. But what are the more unique fat-fighting superfoods? We list some of these lesser known foods below. In addition, Mike Geary, a certified Nutrition Specialist, and the author of the best-selling program, The Truth About Six Pack Abs, reveals his choices for powerful fat burning foods in this presentation:
>> Watch Mike Geary’s Video On 5 Powerful Fat Burning Foods <<
Fat Burning Foods and Thermogenesis
Generally, when we talk about “fat burning foods,” we’re referring to their heat-producing effects. This is known as the “thermic effect of food” (TEF). In reality, all foods are considered “thermogenic” since the body has to use energy to digest them. But not all foods possess the same thermic effect. Lean protein from solid foods, for example, is the most thermogenic food. Research shows that the thermic effect of protein requires about 30% of its calories for the digestion process. There are various types of lean proteins, such as chicken breast, turkey breast, and fish, but a more unique protein source is grass-fed bison.
- Grass-Fed Bison
- Eggs (with the yolk!)
- Ginger
- Goji Berries
- Turmeric
Bison meat is a very lean and nutrient dense red meat. It’s high in iron and protein, but lower in calories per pound than beef, pork, and skinless chicken. This makes bison meat one of the highest quality fat burning proteins you can eat.
Grass-fed bison, however, offers additional benefits. The way the animal was raised is important because a healthier animal provides healthier meat. Grass-fed bison are raised on a more natural diet, so their meat has a better nutrient profile than grain-fed animals. Grass-fed bison and beef have a more balanced ratio of omega-6 fats to omega-3 fats and also contain more Vitamin E. They also contain much higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than grain-fed red meat. CLA is a special fatty acid with plenty of health benefits, including lowering body fat and increasing lean muscle!
So remember to specifically eat grass-fed red meat. It doesn’t necessarily have to be bison. Even beef, which people may perceive as “fatty,” can have effective fat burning properties, as long as it’s grass-fed. In fact, there several other seemingly “fatty” foods that can actually promote fat loss.
>> Check Out The 7 “Fatty” Foods That Can Actually Help You Get Lean <<
Eggs are another potent protein source, but remember to eat them whole with the yolks to reap the full benefits. There is a common misconception that the yolk is the worst part of the egg, but in fact, it’s where the majority of the nutrients are! Egg yolks are packed with B-vitamins, trace minerals, lutein, Vitamin A, essential fatty acids and bunch of other powerful nutrients. Also, the protein in the egg whites becomes more bio-available when eaten with the yolks because they balance out the overall amino acid profile.
Yes, the egg yolks do contain additional calories. But these calories are so nutrient-dense that your appetite becomes more stable throughout the day, and you end up eating less. Also, the extra fats in the yolks are actually healthy fats that help control the fat burning hormones in your body. The end result is a fat burning environment! So stop throwing away those golden nuggets of nutrients!
>> Discover The TRUTH About Egg Yolks <<
In addition to lean protein sources, there are plenty of other foods with fat burning properties that don’t necessarily have a high thermic effect. Ginger, for example, is a natural vasodilator, meaning that it widens the blood vessels in the body and increases blood circulation. With improved blood circulation, your metabolism increases and helps you to naturally burn fat faster. Ginger is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well, helping to detoxify the body and improve blood lipid levels. Also, adding ginger to your meals can enhance the taste, so not only are boosting your metabolism, you’re also boosting the flavor of your food!
>> Check Out 3 Other Unique Veggies That Fight Abdominal Fat <<
Goji berries, also called wolfberries, are nutrient powerhouses packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and super antioxidants. These small red berries are loaded with 18 amino acids, which is why they’re so high in protein. A single serving can provide 6 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. They’re also rich in B vitamins and vitamin E, and contain up to 21 trace minerals, such as chromium. Chromium helps regulate your blood sugar levels and aids in preserving lean muscle mass. Also, goji berries are considered adaptogens, which are natural foods that can increase your body’s resistance in undesirable conditions, such has strenuous exercise. With adaptogens, your circulation, oxygen utilization, and endurance can be improved. This ultimately means you can exercise longer and burn more calories!
With their high protein content and low glycemic index, goji berries not only have inherent fat burning properties, but numerous other health benefits as well. For these reasons, these exotic berries are nutritional standouts and often touted as a “superfood.”
>> Add These Top 10 Superfoods To Your Diet <<
Spice up your weight loss routine by stocking your cabinets with this super-spice. Turmeric is the bright yellow spice commonly found in curry seasoning. Not only does it produce flavorful curry dishes, it also supports natural weight loss. This is because it contains an active ingredient called curcumin, which can slow the spread of fat by limiting new blood vessel growth in fat tissue. Additionally, curcumin is known to exhibit powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer properties, so turmeric’s health benefits are multifaceted. Try supplementing your diet with turmeric by seasoning various foods with it or taking turmeric capsules to get ample amounts on a regular basis. Turmeric is just one example of a powerful antioxidant spice. The truth is that there are other natural spices with surprising health benefits, but they are often overlooked by the general public. With all the hype surrounding diet pills, many people are unaware of the fat burning spices that may already be in their cabinet! And incorporating these spices with other nutrient-dense foods is a great way to turn healthy dishes into turbo-charged fat burning meals.
More Fat Burning Foods and Fat Fighting Tricks
Hopefully the fat burning foods mentioned above were some unconventional ones you may not have known about. Of course there are plenty of other food choices that can help you burn fat, and this extensive list of Top 55 Flat-Belly Foods covers more. Just remember that eating these foods on their own won’t lead to any fat loss miracles. The key is to include these foods as part of an overall diet plan to give you that extra boost.
Eating thermogenic foods is just one of the many tricks you can do to maximize your fat loss potential. In his e-book, “The Fat Burning Kitchen,” Mike Geary goes into additional diet techniques to boost your metabolism, eliminate your cravings, and consistently control your appetite. His unique nutrition tips and food choices really do transform your kitchen so that you start eating healthier automatically. And by fueling your body with the proper foods, you’ll transform your body into a fat burning machine!
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