While the one true way to lose fat is to be in a caloric deficit, there are certain ways that you can accelerate the process. By optimising your metabolism and planning your workouts and meals, you can give your body the best chance to burn the most fat.
Read on for our list of the top fat burning foods to include when you’re prepping meals and snacks and find out what the bottom line is when you're trying to lose fat.
1. Eggs
Eggs are packed with protein and fats, making them super satisfying. They slow down your digestion and tell your brain you are full - which can prevent over eating.1
And thanks to their vitamin and mineral content, they also support the chemical reactions our body uses to burn fat.
2. Chicken
Lean protein sources, like chicken, actually take more energy (or calories) to digest than simple carbs do. Eating lean protein also protects your muscle mass when you’re in a calorie deficit, and lean mass burns more calories than fat.1
3. Salmon
Full of heart healthy fats and protein, salmon supports a healthy heart and limits overeating of other calorie sources. 1 One serving of salmon contains about ⅔ the amount of selenium that your body needs to optimise thyroid function.2
4. Greek Yoghurt
Containing twice as much protein as regular yoghurt, Greek yoghurt supports your lean mass and is a satisfying snack. Choose unsweetened versions for the greatest benefit.
5. Whey
Like all of the protein sources listed above, whey protein helps preserve your muscle while trying to lose weight - which helps to target fat loss.1
Choosing a whey like Myprotein Whey Isolate refines the protein to limit carbs and other calories.
6. Watermelon
A sweet summer treat, watermelon’s benefit is in its name - its high water content (and fibre) makes it satisfying without lots of calories. Choosing high-water content fruits will fill you up faster than dried fruits.
7. Apples
Packed with soluble fibre, apples can really curb your appetite before a meal, and slow down digestion.3 Soluble fibre is also linked to heart health - a key component of fitness.4
8. Blueberries
Blueberries, and other berries, have a high water content and are lower in sugar than other fruits without sacrificing sweetness. Their high antioxidant content helps keep you healthy, too.
9. Celery
Celery is the famous “negative calorie” food – some people claim it takes more calories to digest celery than it does to eat it. The fibre and water content in celery do make it very low calorie - but not calorie free. It’s still a greatly satisfying crunchy snack, and goes great with some hummus.
10. Broccoli
Broccoli and its cruciferous counterparts - like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts - are super high in fibre and nutrients that keep your body burning fat. Experiment with roasting or eating these vegetables raw or steamed - different methods provide totally different flavours.
11. Lettuce
Eating a salad before your meal can actually help with burning fat. Because lettuce is high in water and fibre content, it fills up your stomach and helps to keep your portions of other foods under control. Try not to add too many high calorie toppings or dressings and stick with raw veggies.
12. Oats
An easy choice to get your whole grains in for breakfast, oats can be prepped the night before or just added raw to some yogurt in the morning. Oats absorb so much liquid in the cooking process that the end result is a portion that feels larger and more filling.
13. Quinoa
A protein-packed whole grain choice, quinoa has multiple benefits to boosting your fat loss. Try subbing quinoa for oats occasionally, or making a batch to serve instead of rice with lunch or dinners. It’s also a great ingredient in soups to boost protein content, which also helps to keep you feeling full.
14. Avocado
The creamy high fat fruit, avocado, is powerful in many ways, but the satisfying healthy fat source is a key to a healthy metabolism. Though eating fat feels wrong when trying to burn fat, it can limit overeating and keep you in a caloric deficit, while providing the fat-soluble vitamins your body needs for optimal function.
15. Nut butters
Another healthy fat source, almond butter, peanut butter, and other nuts are great ways to feel fuller, longer. Adding some nut butter to your snack - instead of plain rice cakes or carrot sticks - makes it more satisfying, and slows down digestion to keep hunger at bay.
16. Chia seeds
Small but mighty, chia seeds have many benefits - many of which are thanks to their protein and fibre content. They can turn liquids into thicker substances - think chia pudding or adding into your oatmeal - and provide minerals and vitamins to support the conversion of fat to energy. 5
17. Coffee
While it provides its own metabolism boost, be careful that you don’t add too much sugar or fat to your coffee and counteract its energy-boosting effects.
Even though the calorie burn from drinking coffee is negligible, it can help you push harder during your workouts and burn fat for long after you finish your gym session.
18. Green Tea
Green tea has a long list of benefits that include boosts for your metabolism and your brain. This nootropic tea can be used in its beverage form or found as a supplement to support a healthy metabolism. 6
19. Cayenne pepper
A little bit of spice can increase your metabolism and even help to stabilize blood sugars. Along with other high flavour ingredients - like garlic and ginger - this spice can do more than enhance the flavour of your foods.7
20. Cinnamon
In addition to the sweet, warm flavour cinnamon provides, research has shown that it can even help normalize blood sugar levels. Stable blood sugar levels mean fewer feelings of extreme hunger and slow release of energy over time.8
The Bottom Line
Even if you’re eating all of the foods listed above, it won’t do any good unless you’re in a caloric deficit to burn fat. Keeping consistent habits over time, and exercising consistently rather than doing dramatic cuts, can lead to more sustainable fat loss and healthier habits for life.
When paired with fat burning workouts, you can be on your way to burning more fat in no time.
Take Home Message
By choosing foods that are high in fibre, water content, vitamins and minerals, you can help manage your hunger and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to optimise your metabolism - and burn more fat over time.
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Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
- De Falco, B., Amato, M., &Lanzotti, V. (2017). Chia seeds products: an overview. Phytochemistry Reviews, 16(4), 745-760.
- Otunola, G. A., & Afolayan, A. J. (2013). Evaluation of the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and their mixture.Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality, 86(1).
- Ranasinghe, P., &Galappaththy, P. (2016). Health benefits of Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a summary of the current evidence.Ceylon Medical Journal, 61(1).
- Kritchevsky, D., & Bonfield, C. T. (Eds.). (2012). Dietary fiber in health and disease (Vol. 427). Springer Science & Business Media.
- De Falco, B., Amato, M., & Lanzotti, V. (2017). Chia seeds products: an overview. Phytochemistry Reviews, 16(4), 745-760.
- Hursel, R., Viechtbauer, W., & Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S. (2009). The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis. International journal of obesity, 33(9), 956-961.
- Otunola, G. A., & Afolayan, A. J. (2013). Evaluation of the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and their mixture. Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality, 86(1).
- Ranasinghe, P., & Galappaththy, P. (2016). Health benefits of Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a summary of the current evidence. Ceylon Medical Journal, 61(1).
