Food That Burns Fat
A couple of weeks into our Samoan vacation and I am still getting my head around the Markets, food availability and quality. There are some fantastic fresh food choices over here, much of the availability of food that burns fat however is dictated by the season.
Today I wanted to talk about 5 super foods that are wonderful at helping get rid of belly fat. I have refrained from just referencing items you can only get in sunny Samoa (what use would that be to you unless you are planning a holiday)… but it is no coincidence that the 5 belly fat shifting foods below are all available in some form or another at Myna’s (a supermarket), Lucky’s (another supermarket!) or the Fresh Food Markets on the island!
Almonds
In general – nuts of any sort are a wonderful supplement to your diet. And if you need to shift belly fat – then Almonds should be top of the pile! Not only are they nutritionally dense – containing a range of really healthy macronutrients, they also provide a great source of protein, fiber and monounsaturated fats. A small serving of nuts a day is also beneficial in lowering LDL cholesterol levels to reduce risk of heart disease.
Chili pepper
Do you like the hot stuff? Want to lose belly fat? A bit of chili pepper in your meal could be just the ticket. Capsaican (the active compound in chili) has been proven to increase your metabolic processes post meal. How? By increasing the body temperature. To get your body back to normal i.e. to cool down – you require calories, which requires a further increase in your metabolism.
Salmon
OK, I have a quick confession here. I talk a lot about the merits of fish and seafood… they are a fantastic source of protein, low in saturated fats and also provide a wonderful range of nutrients and minerals that are really beneficial for general health… but I don’t really like seafood much. Yes, I will eat it on occasion… but begrudgingly.
But don’t let that put you off! Salmon in particular is a great addition to the trolley. Aside from the protein and low fat benefits I mentioned above, it is jam packed with quality omega 3 fatty acids, niacin, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6
Oysters
While we are talking about how much I love seafood… Oysters are another great option. An excellent protein source, with low fat, and a bunch of fat burning Vitamin B. What’s more they are high in Iron which aides in efficient transportation of oxygen throughout the body and helps burn fat.
Oranges / Grapefruit
You have probably heard of the Grapefruit Diet before. First of all… don’t do this! Eating just grapefruit has fad diet written all over it! In fact any diet that focuses on one particular food or food group should be avoided at all costs. However, Grapefruit is a great food that burns fat and the fat loss benefits from eating foods like grapefruits and oranges are due to the high Vitamin C content. Vitamin C has often been thought of as having fat burning characteristics and driving your metabolism. What’s more they are high in fiber and promote fullness. Some people shy away from them because these fruits are simple carbs, but you do not need to worry – the high fiber content protects you against a large insulin response.