If you’re trying to lose weight, foods with a high thermogenic effect are the kind you should be reaching for. Put simply, foods with a high thermogenic effect cause a rise in metabolic rate, which increases the number of calories you burn. This means that these types of food cause you to burn a significant proportion of the calories they contain as you’re digesting them, and help you get rid of excess fat.
Here are the top six fat-burning foods:
Whole Grains
Your body burns twice as many calories breaking down whole grains as it does digesting processed foods. Those high in fibre, such as oatmeal and brown rice, are particularly good for aiding weight loss.
Lean Meats
Lean meats and poultry, such as skinless chicken breast fillets, have a significantly high thermogenic effect. You burn about 30% of the calories these foods contain during digestion.
Low-Fat Dairy
Dairy foods are rich in calcium, which causes small rises in metabolic rate. They also have high vitamin D content which, along with calcium, helps to preserve and build muscle mass – essential for maintaining a robust metabolism.
Green Tea
Green tea contains active compounds which can boost the effects of some fat-burning hormones. For example, EGCC – green tea’s main antioxidant – helps to inhibit an enzyme that can block the body’s process of breaking down fat.
Lentils
Lentils are low in fat and full of iron, which is great for your metabolism. One cup contains around 35% of your recommended daily intake. They also contain plenty of fibre, which sits in your gut for a while, making you feel fuller for longer. This further aids weight loss by preventing you from over-eating.
Hot Peppers
Chilli peppers contain capsaicin – a compound which heats up your body in a way that encourages it to burn extra calories.
Incorporating some of these fat-burning foods into your meals will give your metabolism an excellent boost. For best results, eat them as part of a balanced diet and make sure to maintain a healthy exercise regime.
