10 Fat-Burning Foods for Weight Loss
If you want to lose weight, exercise alone is not enough because that may only turn you into a firm, muscular little fatty. There are no shortcuts to weight loss; regular exercise and following the right diet can help burn fat. But eating fat-burning foods to lose weight is just the beginning.
Studies show that more than 90 percent of people who lose weight eventually gain it back, even more than before they lost it. A large part of the reason for this result has to do with diet. If you want to keep your weight loss successful for a long time, it is important to stick to a healthy diet.
In other words, the harder you control your diet, the harder it will be to control your weight. The two main factors that determine whether your diet is manageable include the satiety of the food and its nutritional value.
When people eat, their appetite decreases because of the feeling of satiety that food brings. Each type of food is digested at a different rate in the gut and therefore produces a different feeling of satiety.
A diet rich in nutrients, on the other hand, nourishes the body and provides sufficient energy consistently. So if you choose to eat foods that are nutritious and satiating in your daily life, it will help you lose weight more easily and maintain a healthy weight over time.
Which Fat-Burning Foods Are Most Satiating
Among many fat-burning foods, the higher the protein content, the more satiety it brings. This is because protein is mainly composed of chemical elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, which are large molecules and therefore take longer to digest in the body.
For example, eggs, chicken breast, lean meat, and beans are protein-rich foods that can make you feel full for a long time. In addition, dietary fiber also has a direct impact on the speed of digestion of food. Foods rich in dietary fiber have better water absorption and expand easily in the stomach, which prolongs the time it takes for the stomach to empty, thus increasing the feeling of fullness. Many fat-burning foods are high in fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
10 Nutritious Foods You Can Eat Without Fat
The following fat-burning foods have the following common features: they are low in calories, high in nutrition, and increase satiety, making them ideal for consumption during weight loss. If you can eat regularly can also help you maintain a healthy weight in the long term.
1. Fruit
Fruits are an important part of a healthy diet, whether you are on a diet or not. But it should be noted that many fruits are high in sugar, but eating too much is not conducive to weight control, and may hurt health. It is best to choose those fruits with high fiber content and low fructose content, such as:
- Apples
- pears
- Avocadoes
- berries such as blueberries and strawberries
- Figs
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Pomegranate
2. Vegetables
Most vegetables contain a large amount of dietary fiber, which can increase the feeling of satiety. And the minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and other trace elements contained in vegetables can provide the body with sufficient nutrition and energy. The most helpful vegetables for weight loss include:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Peppers
- Celery
- Artichoke
- Okra
- Pumpkin
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
3. Beans
Beans and bean products are among the fat-burning foods with the highest protein content and are also rich in dietary fiber. In addition to increasing satiety and controlling appetite, the antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins contained in beans provide the body with essential nutrients.
- Green beans
- Soybeans
- Chickpeas
- Black beans
- Lima beans
- Lentils
- Peas
- String beans
- Edamame
- Tofu
4. Whole grains
Whole grains are another great source of dietary fiber. They help increase satiety and promote bowel movement, making them ideal for reducing belly fat and slimming the waist and tummy.
In addition, whole grains are also rich in vitamin C, vitamin B1, riboflavin, and niacin, as well as calcium and iron, and many other nutrients that have many health benefits, such as, lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, protecting teeth and gums, and preventing inflammation. Whole-grain foods include:
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Yellow rice
- Millet
- Corn
- Buckwheat
- Barley
5. Nuts and seeds
These fat-burning foods are not only rich in fiber and protein, but also contain a lot of healthy fats, so they can maximize satiety and help improve heart and brain health.
It is important to note that when buying nuts try to pick unprocessed, especially the original nuts that do not contain sugar. And don’t be greedy, because nuts are high in calories and can be fattening when eaten in excess. If you are following a low-carb diet, you may want to choose nuts that are low in carbohydrates, such as:
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseed
- Pumpkin seeds
- Pecans
- Macadamia nuts
- Brazil nuts
- Walnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
6. Egg
Eggs are one of the most common and healthy foods in people’s daily lives, they are rich in protein, healthy fats, and many essential nutrients. Eating eggs to lose weight is a method that many people have tried, and it is said that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once used an egg and grape diet to successfully lose 18 pounds.
Eggs are characterized by being low in calories, rich in nutrients, increasing satiety, and helping increase metabolism. In one study, researchers divided the participants into two groups: those who ate eggs for breakfast and those who ate bagels. The final results of the study showed that participants who ate eggs for breakfast felt less hungry and ate less for lunch four hours later.
In contrast, the bagel group was hungry less than 3 hours after the meal, and this hunger was stronger than before the meal. This caused them to consume more calories at lunch and dinner afterward.
7. Chicken breast
In addition to eggs, chicken, which is extremely low in calories, is the most affordable and accessible source of healthy protein, making it ideal for consumption during weight loss and fitness. Chicken breast, in particular, not only prolongs satiety but also helps increase muscle mass and muscle strength in the body, which is very helpful in preventing muscle loss due to weight loss.
8. Fatty fish
Fish is also an excellent source of high-quality protein, especially certain fish also contains a wealth of omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, in addition to increasing satiety and reducing appetite, regular consumption of fatty fish can also help prevent a variety of inflammatory diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. Fat-rich fish include:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Tilapia
- Sardine
- Trout
- Herring
- Cod
- Mackerel
- Whitefish
9. Greek yogurt
Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt has a thicker texture, richer flavor, and higher protein content. Greek yogurt contains about half of the carbohydrates and sugars of regular yogurt, while the protein content is almost twice as much as regular yogurt.
In addition, Greek yogurt is a good source of magnesium, vitamin B12, iodine, calcium, and sodium. Not only is it nutritious, but Greek yogurt is also very effective at increasing satiety.
In a 2013 study, participants were assigned to snack on yogurt that was low, medium, and high in protein. In the end, those who ate high-protein Greek yogurt felt full the longest and consumed fewer calories at the next meal.
10. Cheese
Cheese is low in fat and carbohydrates, but very high in protein, making it effective in increasing satiety without consuming many calories. The protein contained in cheese is mainly casein.
Typically, the whey protein in milk can be digested in as little as 20 to 30 minutes, but casein can take more than 4 hours to be largely digested. So, the cheese will help you feel full for a long time. If you want to reduce your calorie intake, choose nonfat white cottage cheese when you buy cheese.
Conclusion
Fat-Burning foods that increase satiety have some common characteristics, such as being rich in protein, dietary fiber, or healthy fats, and are nutrient-dense. Avoiding deeply processed foods in your daily diet and eating more of those whole foods that are natural, whole, or single-ingredient will help you burn fat faster and easier, and maintain a healthy weight over time.