If you're looking to lose weight, try eating fat-burning foods frequently throughout the day. The best strategy for shedding pounds is to consume five to six small meals daily, like snacking on fresh veggies or grabbing nutrition bars on the go. Eating frequently will keep your metabolic rate accelerated, especially by incorporating the foods below:
Spices - Many common spices have thermogenic properties, meaning they can boost metabolism upon consumption. For example, capsaicin found in hot peppers has been proven to increase body temperature and metabolic rate simultaneously, melting calories away. Try adding cayenne pepper to stir-fries and sautés, or folding green chilies into an egg white omelet. Other mild spices can help your weight loss goals as well, by improving overall health and assisting your workouts. Ginseng is one such herb, known to boost energy. Others include ginger, to help digestion, and turmeric to break up fat.
Egg Whites - Whereas weight loss coaches and healthcare practitioners often shun yolks, egg whites are perpetually praised as a source of good fat. Egg whites are chock full of protein, which means they'll keep you full longer. If you're bored by egg white omelets and scrambles, try a frittata! It's a delicious way to use up leftover veggies, and a great low-calorie meal for any time of day.
Green Tea - Used for centuries for health and wellness, green tea contains a high amount of polyphenols, which can counteract harmful triglycerides that lead to weight gain. Green tea also provides potent antioxidants that can stimulate your body's metabolism and promote weight loss. Along with the caffeine found in green tea, these antioxidants boost the central nervous system and allow fat to be released into the blood stream and used as fuel.
Nuts - A handful of nuts is a no-frills yet delicious snack that can keep you full and powered for hours. Stay away from sweetened trail mixes or nut blends with added fat. All you need is a little bit of salt for flavor. If you can't handle nuts in their purest form, try chopping and mixing into a salad or side dish.
Grapefruit - This citrus actually lowers insulin levels to prevent our bodies from storing excess sugar as fat. Decreased insulin levels can also curb your appetite, making grapefruit a great weight-loss tool. Grapefruit is also known as a “negative calorie” food, meaning a single fruit has fewer calories than it takes to digest. Though the most health benefits can be found in fresh fruit, grapefruit juice is also incredibly beneficial.
Eating healthier can provide the nutrients your body needs while adding to a reduced-calorie diet plan. Many nutritious foods, such as nuts or fruits and vegetables, have also been scientifically shown to help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism and making it easier to shed pounds.
If you're looking for a delicious workout snack to power your active life, try a protein bar from Promax. Our bars are great-tasting and packed with replenishing protein, and do not contain artificial sweeteners. For more info about Promax, check out our product page or our blog.