12 Fat Burning Foods To Lose Weight, Live Longer & Enjoy A Healthy Lifestyle
Before reading our list of fat burning foods, first you must know that the reason you are overweight is because of the over-consumption of foods that are rich is starchy carbs, refined flours, refined sugar, trans fats AND other genetically modified or processed junk that has no nutritional value and your body cannot use.
Your body is a remarkably efficient machine, but like your car, it needs the correct fuel to function correctly just as your body needs the correct
fat burning foods to lose weight
effectively.
Over the last fifty years or so, the food industry (in search of ever increasing profits) has introduced far too many genetically modified and convenience foods into our once very healthy Indian diets.
These foods are loaded with chemicals, additives and preservatives (including high amounts of salt and sugar) that are not supposed to be there. Chronic over-consumption of these foods causes the breakdown of metabolism in two major ways. First, the liver, which is responsible for removing toxic substances from our bodies, is overworked.
When the liver cannot keep up, excess toxins are stored in fat cells.
In addition, another important role that the liver is meant to play – a role in the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates – is neglected because the liver is too busy trying to clear toxins out of the body.
In short, when you eat foods that are loaded with junk, your metabolism slows down and you gain weight.
In order to
lose weight
you need to cut down on the bad calories from your diet.
As time goes on, losing weight becomes harder and harder. That’s because poor diets also affect the release of insulin by your pancreas. The pancreas begins to release far more insulin that it should in an effort to control blood sugar spikes that result directly from eating too many refined foods.
Over time, you become
resistant to the amount of insulin that is being released
and your body releases even more. This overproduction of insulin causes weight gain. It is also a major risk factor for Type II diabetes. If you continue your poor eating habit’s, the whole system will eventually shut down.
But It’s NOT your fault … well not entirely.
The problem is, we’ve brainwashed into believing conventional wisdom from the profit focused food industry, which in many cases are not required to ensure our food is fit for consumption – that’s the job of our food governing bodies, which often look in the other direction when warned about ‘possible’ health risks from expert scientists.
I’m taking about ‘cheap’ bulking agents, genetically modified “laboratory created” foods and fillers that are ever present in foods on today’s supermarket shelves.
Your body was not created to eat junk like that.
Anyway, I want you to read the following chapters with an open mind, and then go on to research further (if you want to) to further solidify what I am telling you.
If you want to lose weight, it’s more important to pay attention to
what you eat, rather than how much!
However, there is hope and with smart food choices, you can lose that ugly belly fat, have more energy, and live a healthier lifestyle … while still enjoying the odd treat.
You’ve no doubt heard the phrase, … “you are what you eat”.
Well think about this for second…
Did you know that your stomach lining is regenerated every 7-14 days? Did you also know that you will have a new layer of skin by next month?
And did you know that EVERY cell in your body, yup … EVERY single one of the 75 trillion cells in your body will be a brand NEW cell within the next 300 days?
That’s right, every cell in your body is constantly being broken down and regenerated, and that is 100% fueled by the foods we eat.
95% of the way we look, feel, behave and operate is determined by our diet. Did you get that?
Just read that sentence again and take it to heart…
Done?
Are you ready for a new, healthier, leaner YOU?
You are? Good, let’s begin.
Here are the 12 Fat Burning Foods!
1. Grass-Fed Raw Milk and Raw Dairy Products
Raw milk and raw dairy products come from cows that have been fed the grass-based diets they were designed to eat. The milk is free of harmful growth hormones and antibiotics and does not undergo the processes of pasteurization and homogenization.
Benefits for health and weight loss:
Unlike traditional dairy products, which have been severely depleted of nutrients and can even cause weight gain, raw dairy products are nutrient rich and high in the proteins, enzymes, and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that promote good health and weight loss.
Raw dairy products are also rich in saturated fat, which is hardly the diet danger it is reputed to be. Saturated fat from healthy cows promotes healthy cell repair, organ function, and feelings of satiety.
The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found in raw milk also aids the body’s metabolic processes and helps to eliminate belly fat. CLA promotes immune function, muscle development, and overall good health.
Full of nutrients and free of hormones and antibiotics, raw milk and raw dairy products from grass-fed cows are a healthful part of an effective weight loss program.
Where do you find it:
Raw milk and dairy products are typically not found in commercial grocery stores. Instead, seek out co-ops and natural food stores in your area. Many farmers market vendors also sell raw milk or can provide a connection to a farmer in your area who does. Fine cheese shops frequently carry raw milk varieties.
2. High Quality Animal Proteins
When animals live in cleaner, healthier, more natural conditions and eat the diet that is right for them (instead of massive quanities of corn to fatten them up) they offer higher quality meat full of the nutrients, protein, and fat the body needs for proper health and weight loss.
Seek out grass fed beef and bison, pork and lamb that has been farm raised with natural, organic feed, and wild caught fish.
Why is it better?
When animals receive high quality feed and are raised outside of cramped pens, their bodies function properly and are less susceptible to stress and infection. While you pay a little more, the product more than delivers in terms of nutritional value and health safety.
Though corn and other low-quality grains fatten animals such as cows and fish quickly and cheaply, they also causes untold stress on their digestive systems, causing their bodies to mount an immune and hormone response.
Antibiotics are often required. Stress hormones like cortisol are then present in the finished product. Corn also causes rapid fat gain in the animal. While this is beneficial for the farmer, this fat is high in omega-6s.
Benefits or health and weight loss:
High quality animal proteins that are raised naturally on their proper diet offer nutrients and proteins that your body can access easily.
Naturally raised meats and fish are also high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to proper cell function and repair, disease prevention, decreased inflammation and insulin response, and a healthy metabolism.
The body requires a high quantity of protein for weight loss and satiation of hunger. When your protein is free of harmful chemicals and unhealthy fats, you can eat the amount required to satisfy the needs of your body; the result is increased muscle and decreased body fat.
Proper protein consumption also helps to prevent diseases such as Type II diabetes, and improves metabolic function. If you are going to be consuming the high level of protein that you need for health and weight loss, you want to make sure that it is the best available.
Where do you find it:
Look carefully for meat that has received a 100% grass based diet as some farmers and meat producers finish with corn but still label the meat as “grass fed”.
Make sure that the fish you buy is wild caught. Pork does not need to be grass fed, but ensure that the pork you purchased has received high quality organic feed.
Many co-ops and natural grocery stores carry these, but for the best value, find a farmer in your area and buy in bulk. If you are a hunter or have access to game meats, these are also an excellent protein option as they have lived in their natural environment, eaten their natural diet, and are free of hormones and antibiotics.
3. Free Range Chicken & Organic Free Range Eggs
Instead of being raised unable to move in a pen, free-range chickens are able to exercise and feed outside of a cage. Their feed is organic and does not contain GMO corn, which is why it’s included in this fat burning foods list..
Benefits or health and weight loss:
Animals living in environments that simulate their natural surroundings are contented and healthy and thus produce meats and products that are higher in nutrients and healthy fats. They are less prone to illness and thus do not require antibiotics.
As a result the food we get from these animals meets our nutritional needs, is satisfying, and tastes wonderful!
Free-range chickens and eggs provide proper omega-3/omega-6 ratios and are higher in nutrients than their commercial counterparts. Both are economical protein sources, versatile, and certainly an important part of a
Where to find them:
Many traditional grocery stores are now beginning to carry organic, free-range eggs and chickens. They are commonly found at natural food stores and co-ops. You may also be able to purchase free-range chickens and eggs from a local farmer or farmers market.
4. Raw Nuts
Nuts are a fat and as shown in the previous section, certain fats are detrimental to health and weight loss efforts. But not all fats are created equal. Nuts provide essential vitamins and minerals and do not undergo the chemical processes associated with fake fats, hydrogenated oils, or trans fats.
Which nuts?
All nuts have their own unique vitamin and mineral makeups but each provides a source of healthy fat that helps the body to feel satisfied and aids weight loss. Choose almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, and hazelnuts.
Benefits or health and weight loss:
The body definitely needs fats for proper brain function, cell repair, and to help the body feel satiated. Nuts are a healthy, natural source of the fats the body needs. They also provide sustained energy without an insulin response and help to diminish cravings.
Nuts are high in vitamins and minerals such as selenium, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E. The healthy fat in nuts helps lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and various cancers.
While over-consumption of fats can certainly contribute to weight gain, there is no need to fear fat. Nuts are a part of a balanced weight loss program and are a high quality food that meets a multitude of the body’s needs. Good fats like nuts are important and far from actually making you fat, eaten in moderation they aid weight loss.
Where to find them:
Look for raw nuts in all varieties as roasted nuts are often processed with harmful vegetable and seed oils. For highest quality nuts, buy them in the bulk section of your co-op or natural food store.
5. Berries
Berries are high in vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre. Low in carbohydrates, they provide a nutrient rich and delightfully sweet snack or addition to a meal.
Which berries?
All berries including strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, Goji berries, acai berries and even less common varieties such as loganberries, currants, and cranberries are high in nutritional benefits and a perfect part of a healthy weight loss program.
Benefits or health and weight loss:
When your body receives the nutrients it needs, it is less likely to crave unhealthy foods or hold onto fat. Berries are rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Low in sugar and high in fibre, berries help guard against the blood sugar and insulin surges that cause the body to store fat. Consumption of berries has also been linked to improved vision, lowered risk of cancer, higher immunity, and protection of the skin.
Berries are an ideal way to satisfy cravings for sweet foods. Instead of a sugary dessert following a meal, enjoy a bowl of colourful, flavourful berries.
Where to find them:
Berries can be found in any conventional grocery store, but it is important to purchase organic varieties as berries retain high levels of pesticides. Go out to a farm where you can pick your own or when in season, purchase from your local farmers market.
6. Fruits
In addition to berries, fruits of all varieties are an essential part of an effective weight loss program. Fruits are high in fibre, full of flavour, and packed with the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.
Which Fruits?
While familiar fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas are excellent choices you can bring a little variety to your diet by experimenting with more exotic and tropical options. Many of these Fruits pack a powerful nutrient and antioxidant punch. Look for pineapple, papaya, mango, pomegranate, figs, kiwi, and apricots.
Benefits or health and weight loss:
Fruits are naturally high in fibre, which aids weight loss by helping to remove toxins and other harmful substances from the body. Fibre helps you to feel satisfied longer after a meal and lowers insulin response. Diets rich in fibre also help to guard against cancers of the digestive system.
Fruit does contain natural sugar so it should be eaten in moderation, but on the whole, fruit is a perfect snack or a sweet addition to the end of the meal.
As you develop a love for the rich and exotic flavours of fruits, cravings for fake sweeteners, processed sweets and desserts, and other unhealthy junk foods diminish.
Where to find them:
You get the greatest nutritional benefits when you purchase organic produce in season. Shop your local farmers market as the seasons permit.
For exotic and tropical varieties, check ethnic markets in your area; they often carry delicious fruits from Asia and Latin America.
7. Butter (from Grass Fed Cows)
Like other dairy products from grass-fed cows, this butter is higher in the nutrients and fats your body needs for proper functioning.
Why is it better?
Butter contains milk solids and thus industrial feedlot butter carries the same risks and negative side effects of conventional milk and dairy products.
When compared to margarine and other industrially produced and processed fats, butter is the far superior, weight loss-friendly, natural option. Butter also tastes better and thus helps you to feel satisfied after meals. Remember, not all things that taste good are bad for you!
Which would you prefer: rich, natural butter or chemical margarine?
Benefits of health and weight loss:
In addition to simply tasting better and providing a higher quality source of fat, butter contains essential fatty acids, is rich in vitamins such as A, K, and D, and also contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which helps to reduce body fat, build muscle, and stimulate metabolic health. (source)
Where to find it:
Always purchase organic grass-fed butter as pesticides and chemicals are easily stored in fat. High quality organic butters can be found at your local co-op or natural foods store and are becoming increasingly common in conventional supermarkets as well.
8. Vegetables
Vegetables need little introduction. We have long been told by our mummyji and dadiji of their benefits though we still rarely eat enough of them. Did you know vegetables are an essential part of your weight reduction plan?
Which vegetables?
While all
vegetables contribute to a healthy diet
and weight loss program, some are higher in nutritional value than others.
Dark leafy greens such as kale, collards, chard, and spinach top the list of vegetables that belong in any diet. It is also good to eat from a wide range of colours and textures. Not only does this pattern of eating help you to experience a wide variety of vitamins, phenols, and polyphenols (from vegetable pigments), it also spices up your diet and keeps you feeling satisfied.
Benefits or health and weight loss:
Listing the benefits of the wide world of edible plant foods would take volumes. Vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and provide the essential elements for proper health and physical functioning.
And as has been demonstrated, when the body receives both the macro- and micronutrients it requires, inflammation and insulin response decrease, and the body is free to seek a healthy weight.
High fibre vegetables are also our best defense against cancer. Research has yet to fully elucidate the cancer and disease-fighting properties of the vegetables available to us. Eat as many as you can!
Vegetables are loaded with nutrients are thus a good snack when the craving for something crunchy hits. While celery sticks may not initially be as appealing as a stack of cookies, with time your body will grow to crave these natural delights.
Where to find them:
Again, organic is best and local is even better. Shop farmers markets and local co- ops to obtain produce grown in your area.
9. Natural Oils
The body can’t function without fat and those looking to lose weight need not fear it. Unlike factory- produced oils, vegetable and seed oils, fake fats, margarine, and trans fats, natural fats enhance the body’s natural processes without causing a harmful inflammatory response.
Which oils?
Choose extra virgin olive oil for flavouring foods and for making dressings and sauces. Coconut oil, which is perfectly stable at high temperatures, is best for sauting, stir-frying, and other cooking done over high heat.
Benefits or health and weight loss:
Mediterranean countries have been using olive oil for centuries and not coincidentally have a far lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and obesity than nations dependent on chemical and trans fats.
Coconut oil is an amazing product and a perfect cooking option for those looking to lose weight. Coconut oil aids weight loss efforts by providing sustained energy, promoting healthy thyroid function, and helping the body to burn fat.
Where to find them:
Coconut oil is now available at many grocery stores. Olive oil, though widely available, requires careful label reading. Look for organic, high-quality extra virgin olive oil from small producers.
10. Whole Grains and Complex Carbohydrates
Whole, natural, unprocessed grains, eaten in moderation can be a part of a healthy weight loss program. Many are high in protein and fibre and provide bulk to the diet.
Which grains?
Not all grains are created equal.
Though refined white flour technically comes from a grain, it is processed to the point that it is not only nutritionally deficient, but even harmful to the body. Healthy grains and carbohydrates include whole grain brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, oats, sweet potatoes, and all varieties of starchy beans and lentils.
Benefits or health and weight loss:
Unlike their over-processed counterparts, natural grains, beans, and sweet potatoes, cause a much subtler insulin response in the body due to their low glycemic index and high levels of fibre.
Healthy grains help provide bulk in the diet and are a readily available source of energy for physical activity. Sweet potatoes are especially beneficial for post-workout recovery, and grains like bulgur and quinoa make a great addition to salads or a healthier alternative to white rice and pasta.
Where to find them:
Many grocery stores have begun to carry a wider variety of grains and beans. Co- ops and natural food stores often carry these items in bulk, allowing you to try small quantities to discover new favourites.
11. Natural Sweeteners
Though natural sweeteners are still sugars and should only be consumed in moderate to small amounts, they have a weight loss edge over traditional refined white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners.
Which sweeteners?
For cooking and baking, or for sweetening food and drinks, natural sweeteners such as raw
organic honey
, natural maple syrup, and black strap molasses are the best choices. Stevia, a plant based natural sweetener is calorie free and potently sweet.
Benefits of health and weight loss:
Natural sweeteners (with the exception of stevia) still contain calories and can trigger cravings for sweet foods. Thus these sweeteners should only be consumed only occasionally for best weight loss results.
Honey has long been praised for it’s many health benefits.
Beyond it’s unique taste and liquid sweetness, honey can actually help your body process glucose, is high in various vitamins, and contains antioxidants and antibacterial properties as well.
Real maple syrup and blackstrap molasses also contain minerals and antioxidants.
Stevia
, which has been popular in America for many years, is an all-natural sweetener, safe to use, and completely calorie free.
Where to find them:
Natural, organic honeys and syrups as well as stevia can be found at specialty stores or co-ops or, in the case of honey and maple syrup, purchased from the producer directly.
12. Dark Chocolate
Low in sugar and highly satisfying, dark chocolate is the perfect sweet treat. It’s intense flavour helps to guard against over-indulgence. It’s full of powerful antioxidants as well; you can’t say that about those store-bought baked goods!
Which type of chocolate?
The better the grade and quality the chocolate, the greater the benefits. Chocolate labels will contain a percentage number that indicates the quantity of pure cocoa. The higher this number, the lower the percentage of sugar and cocoa butter. Look for 70% cocoa or higher.
Benefits of health and weight loss:
High in flavonoids, dark chocolate boasts
superior antioxidant properties
. Dark chocolate also promotes heart health, brain functioning, and even emotional stability
Dark chocolate is a natural mood-enhancer and relaxer; even in small quantities. Eating a square or two helps you to feel satisfied and diminishes the feelings of deprivation associated with most diets.
Where to find it:
High quality dark chocolate can be purchased from upscale candy stores and is also increasingly available in co-ops and even conventional grocery stores. Look for a pure cocoa level of 70% or higher.
13. Water
Though it seems obvious, water deserves a place as a “fat burning food”. Simple as it is, the benefits of proper water intake cannot be overstated.
Which Water?
You need not drink fancy bottled varieties in order to reap the benefits of water, but a home purifier may help to remove unwanted minerals from your water and improve it’s flavour. Some prefer mineral water or something with a little fizz. As long as you are drinking water (at least 8 glasses a day), the type of water is simply a matter of preference.
Benefits of health and weight loss:
Water hydrates the body from the inside out allowing it to function properly. Water cleanses the body of toxins that can inhibit weight loss, increases energy, and keeps the body in overall good health.
Water also helps with weight loss efforts by helping to regulate hunger. Many times the sensation of hunger between meals is actually thirst. Before reaching for a snack, drink a large glass of water and see if it does the trick.
Essential for exercising and athletic activity, water helps improve endurance and stamina, keeping the body well hydrated and replacing fluids lost through sweat.
Where to find your water:
If the flavour of your tap water deters you from drinking it, consider purchasing a filter. Keep a water bottle on you at all times to remind you to continue drinking throughout the day; even when you arent exercising. Specialty mineral waters, which are a nice treat, can be purchased at grocery stores or natural food stores
SUMMARY (Fat Burning Foods to Eat):
Raw milk is free of the chemicals, antibiotics, and growth hormones that plague conventional dairy products. Far from being harmful or nutritionally devoid as a result of the pasteurization process, raw milk is rich in healthy fats and nutrients that promote weight loss.
Grass fed chicken, goat, naturally raised pork and wild caught fish are the highest quality source of protein and rich in fats associated with good cardiovascular health. These animals are also free of the harmful hormones, antibiotics, and diseases that plague feedlot animals.
Organic, free range chicken and eggs provide a healthier source of protein than chickens raised in overpopulated cages. Both free-range poultry and eggs are richer in nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids.
Like other good fats, nuts promote feelings of satiety, provide sustained energy, and are a source of vital minerals.
Berries are high in vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, but low in calories making them a perfect sweet treat and a healthy addition to meals.
Fruits of all varieties provide health benefits and a lower calorie option for healthy snacks. Eat a wide variety of Fruits for greatest benefit.
Unlike it’s commercially produced, feedlot counterpart, grass-fed butter is rich in the fats that actually promote fat loss.
Vegetables in all forms satisfy the body’s myriad of nutritional needs. High in fibre and low in calories, vegetables, especially dark, leafy varieties, should be a daily addition to the diet.
Natural oils such as olive oil and coconut oil are superior to commercially produced vegetable and seed oils and fake fats. They aid the body’s natural processes, promote proper metabolic function, and do not cause an inflammatory response.
Whole, unprocessed grains and sweet potatoes are a healthy source of carbohydrates and provide bulk to the diet.
Instead of refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, or other artificial sweeteners, choose honey, maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, or stevia to lightly sweeten foods.
Dark chocolate, rich in antioxidants, provides a healthier option for a sweet treat. It also brightens your mood and promotes relaxation.
Water is essential not only for hydration during exercise but for daily physical functioning. It also suppresses appetite. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses per day.