Foods That Burn Fat and Increase Metabolism

Metabolism can be defined as the conversion of food into energy which is then burnt as calories. In recent years, scientific studies have come up with studies on the effects of food on the body. Some foods that burn fat and increase metabolism actually increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This is the number of calories your body burns while at rest to maintain normal body functions. By eating these foods every two or three hours you can fire up your metabolism and thus increase the process of burning the stubborn body fat.

It is believed that by choosing high quality thermogenic or negative calorie whole foods you are able to burn off those excess calories. This is because for consuming these fat burning foods your body requires more energy to digest them. Here is a list of the food combinations that burn fat and increase metabolism.

List of Foods That Burn Fat and Increase Metabolism

Water: The best way to speed up the metabolism and encourage optimal bodily functions is to drink plenty of water. Drinking around eight 8 glasses of cold or ice water a day helps burn those extra calories.

Whey Protein: Whey protein is probably one of the best things you can have that will boost up your metabolism as well as being a complete, high quality protein.

Green Tea: Green tea or a green tea extracts have chemicals such as EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) that not only helps these foods burn fat and increase the metabolism, but also has anti-cancer properties, prevents heart disease, and uplifts your mood.

Lean Protein: Consuming lean protein such as skinless chicken breasts can increase your metabolic rate. This is because the digestion of protein stimulates cellular activity leading to the burning of the excess fats. The best lean protein food choices are lean chicken, turkey breast, egg whites, fish and seafood.

Complex High Fiber Carbs: Foods rich in carbohydrates and fiber are not only a highly thermogenic food, but also helps fill you up and sustain you longer. The complex carbohydrates in sync with lean protein creates a steady release of insulin into the bloodstream and minimizes insulin swings. The best high fiber complex carbs to choose are whole grain breads, brown rice, beans, oatmeal, and non-starchy vegetables.

Calcium: Calcium is essential for regulating hormonal activity in the body and can accelerate weight loss by breaking down the fat in fat cells. Low fat dairy products, leafy green vegetables, sesame seeds and almonds are rich in calcium.

Vegetables: High fiber non starchy vegetables such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, endives, celery, tomatoes, and peppers are the best metabolism boosters as they have the most thermogenic properties and also have minimal impact on your insulin levels. These foods that burn fat and calories also helps in regulating your metabolism.

Fruits: A variety of fresh fruit in your diet can cleanse the body since it contains a lot of fiber, water, and vitamins. The best fruit choices are apples, citrus fruit, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, melons, mangoes, kiwi, and pineapples. Fruits that are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B12, potassium, and phosphorus help in the efficient operation of your metabolism. Pectin found in fruits such as apples and berries helps against fat absorption into the cells.

Spices: Hot spicy food can temporarily fire up your metabolic rates. For example, the compound capsaicin present in hot peppers, stimulates your body to release more stress hormones, thereby speeding up your metabolism and increasing your ability to burn calories. These spices include peppers such as chilies, cheyenne, and horseradish.

Garlic and Ginger: Ginger and garlic raises your body temperature and helps to stimulate your body's fat burning mechanisms. Regular intake of garlic boosts your immune system and helps prevent cold and flu.

Vinegar: The acid from vinegar slows down the digestion of starch and keeps your insulin levels balanced, this property can actually lower blood sugar by 30% when consumed with a meal. This is effective in speeding up your metabolism and treating metabolic disorders.

Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 3 essential fatty acids affect the levels of the fat hormone, leptin. Leptin is said to influence the number of calories burnt and stored as fat. Therefore, people with low levels of leptin, tend to burn more calories than those with higher levels of the hormone. The best sources of omega 3 fats are tuna, lean white fish, salmon, and sardines. Read more on omega 3 fatty acid foods list.

To know more about the foods that burn fat and boost metabolism, read more on:

• Foods that Boost Metabolism
• Fat Burning Foods List

A healthy diet consisting of these foods that burn fat and increase metabolism coupled with a moderate exercise program, will fire up your metabolism and help you shed those excess kilos and get you into shape in no time.