There are many ways to lose weight. If you're trying to lose weight, you might be intrigued to know that some foods have thermogenic compounds, which speed the metabolism and can help you shed pounds. Also good for fat loss are foods rich in lean protein, because protein builds muscle, and muscle burns fat.
Protein-Rich Foods
Protein is essential when you're trying to lose weight, because it helps build muscle, and muscle burns fat. But not all protein is created equal; choose lean proteins and stay away from high-fat and processed proteins. Although bacon and other processed meats are high in protein, they are also high in fat, and therefore, are not good foods for fat-loss. Some good choices are; chicken breast, turkey breast, egg whites, fish, protein powder and tofu, if you are a vegetarian.
Spices
There are a large number of spices that have fat-burning properties. Due to a compound known as capsaicin, in chili peppers, they are among the best natural thermogenics. Not only are chili peppers good for fat loss, but they are high in nutrients such as calcium and vitamins A and C. Other spices that create heat and speed up the metabolism, therefore, burn fat, are ginger, garlic and cinnamon.
Calcium-Rich Foods
A study conducted at Curtin University of Technology in Australia, is strongly supportive of increasing dairy intake for weight loss. Michael Zemel, PhD, director of the Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee has shown that dairy suppresses a fat-producing hormone called calcitrol. Choose low-fat varieties of yogurt, milk and cheese, and stay away from high-fat and processed dairy products.
Good Fats
A report in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that a diet that replaced unhealthy saturated fats with monounsaturated fats actually helped people lose weight and body fat, without needing to reduce their calorie intake. Monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs are found in nuts, coconuts, olives, avocados and flax oil. "Eating MUFAs can help prevent the deposition of fat around your middle," says David Katz, MD, director of Yale’s Prevention Research Center.
Fiber Rich Foods
Apples, strawberries, pears, oats and brown rice are a few high fiber foods; fiber can satisfy your hunger for longer periods, thus resulting in less calories consumed. Fiber doesn't necessarily burn fat, but it allows the body to eliminate waste products, including some unabsorbed fat more quickly. Your body also works harder to digest fiber, therefore, it burns more calories. To help the effects of fiber, consume plenty of water.
