Top 10 Foods That Burn Fat

By Tara Fraser

Exercise is a fantastic way to burn calories and keep yourself looking lean and sexy; but what if you could eat foods that burn fat by increasing your metabolism?

I know it sounds nearly impossible but it’s not; there exist certain foods that burn off fat and can keep your waistline exactly where you want it.

Of course, eating these foods that burn fat won’t work on their own; you need to maintain a healthy diet - drink plenty of water and eat complex carbohydrates along with lean protein and healthy fats - and work out regularly.

So what are these 10 foods that burn fat? I’m glad you asked.

Foods that burn fat #10
Cayenne pepper
Known also as capsicum, capsaicum, red pepper, and chile peppers, cayenne pepper is considered one of the best fat-burning spices and is highly touted by Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen and singer Beyonce.

Cayenne pepper not only helps you burn more calories by triggering a thermodynamic burn that lasts hours after eating, it also enhances the way cholesterol is processed by the body.

But you can’t just depend on cayenne pepper alone; this spicy additive needs to be coupled with lean protein to work its magic because protein is necessary to process and transport fat throughout the body adequately.

Cayenne pepper makes you sweat and raises your heart rate, so your metabolism shoots up for a few hours after eating it.

Foods that burn fat #9
Cinnamon
Research conducted by the USDA has proven that as little as a ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon added to food helps your body to metabolize sugar 20 times faster and lower your body’s blood-sugar levels.

So sprinkle this yummy, sweet spice on fruit and coffee, or add it to your smoothies and watch the pounds melt away.

Foods that burn fat #8
Ginger
A known vasodilator, ginger expands the blood vessels, increases body heat and metabolism by 20%. Whether you consume it ground, fresh or in a tea (found in your local health food store), ginger is a fat-burning beauty.

If all this weren’t enough, ginger also detoxifies the body and stimulates circulation. So there’s a whole lot more to ginger than just the pickled variety on your sushi platter.

Foods that burn fat #7
Citrus fruit
Lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and limes are incredibly high in vitamin C, which has a fat-burning component. The C vitamin reduces fat’s effectiveness and can liquefy or dilute it so that it exits the body.

By adding citrus fruit to your diet, you will essentially increase your metabolism and control your cholesterol levels.

Foods that burn fat #6
Apples & berries
Although all fresh fruit contain pectin, apples and berries have it in abundance. Pectin has a water-binding property and, when ingested, limits the amount of fat your cells absorb.

The watery buildup that results from pectin drowns out the fat from the cells and keeps your body from absorbing it. So pack on the apples and berries (do your best to go organic) and watch the pounds come off.

Foods that burn fat #5
Soybeans
Packed with lecithin, this naturally occurring chemical in soybeans helps your body to keep your cells from accumulating fat.

Ingesting a handful of soybeans (find them at your local health food store) three to five times a week will boost your body’s ability to eliminate fat more quickly.

Foods that burn fat #4
Bananas
Found in milk and oranges as well, bananas contain potassium, a naturally occurring chemical that boosts your metabolism and regulates your body’s water balance.

Bananas contain approximately 450 milligrams of potassium (a cup of milk contains about 350 and oranges contain about 250), and you should aim to have about 2,000 milligrams per day, every day.

Foods that burn fat #3
EFAs
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, should be a part of your dietary lifestyle. Women who consume fish regularly have lower levels of a protein hormone called leptin, which has been linked to a slower metabolism and obesity.

Do your best to eat fish three to five times a week. The best fish to reach for are wild salmon, tuna, herring, and mackerel.

Foods that burn fat #2
Garlic
It may leave your breath smelling somewhat undesirable, but garlic has many healing properties. Besides being a natural antibiotic, a bacteria destroyer and a blood sugar regulator, garlic also has the ability to speed up your fat-burning.

Garlic works like a thermogenic in your body, boosts your metabolism and keeps your insulin levels low to maximize fat burning. It’s stinky, but worth it.

Foods that burn fat #1
Dairy products
The International Journal of Obesity published a study in April 2005 that concluded that calcium and protein that come from low-fat dairy products actually promote weight loss and help to maintain muscle mass.

Try to eat three servings of low-fat dairy products a day, which can come in the form of milk, cheese or yogurt. I guess milk really does do the body good.

Foods that burn fat

One cannot live on these foods alone; variety is, after all, the spice of life. But if you can incorporate these foods into an already active and healthy lifestyle, you will be leaner and sexier in no time.