Foods that Burn Fat

Is it really possible to find foods that burn fat? It's certainly an appealing idea, but is it also one that is just too good to be true?

How do we define "fat burning foods"? We all know that eating more calories than we burn off is why we put on weight and so the formula for weight loss would seem fairly straightforward - eat fewer calories than we use each day. Of course, anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows that it isn't quite that easy.

The theory behind the concept of fat-burning food is that some foods are known to boost your metabolism, because they use more calories in digestion than they actually provide in energy, all of which will increase the rate at which you can lose weight. However, it is crucial to understand that these foods are not a miracle cure to obesity and overweight, but that if used in connection with a sensible and properly balanced diet and exercise programme, they can help you to achieve your weight loss goals.

Some of the so-called fat burning foods have been discredited because they became popular as part of dietary fads, which claimed that eating large quantities of one food, would lead to significant weight loss. These diets often contain so few calories in their daily allowance that they are detrimental to health.

However, recent research has reached the conclusion that some of the foods which formed the basis of extreme diets, are actually useful, but only when eaten in sensible combination with other foods and particularly when you take up some exercise as well.

One such food is grapefruit. The effects of adding grapefruit to the diet have been researched at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego California, where patients were instructed to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit before every meal. After 12 weeks, they achieved an average weight loss of about 3.5 lbs, with some losing as much as 10 lbs. Those in the control group, who did not add grapefruit to their diets, lost an average of only half a pound. Researchers believe that grapefruit lowers insulin levels in the blood, which reduces feelings of hunger.

Many vegetables and other fruits are also considered fat burning foods, and have the additional benefit of being full of vitamins. Amongst the vegetables which could speed up metabolism you will find, green cabbage, carrots, broccoli, celery, leeks and asparagus. Fruits which will have the same effect include apples, blackberries, blueberries, oranges, mangoes and peaches.

Spices are also fat burners and can be used to add flavour to meals, which will make your food taste a great deal more interesting. Garlic, for example, not only breaks down fat deposits, but is also an antiseptic and has antibiotic qualities. So it is definitely a desirable addition to any diet, whether you want to lose weight or not. Chili and cayenne peppers are also said to burn fat.

Lean protein is an important fat burner and is found in turkey, chicken, lean meat and fish.

The essential point here is to eat a well balanced diet, rather than huge amounts of one food, just because it has a reputation as a fat burner.

Since fat burning foods are quite varied, you can easily come up with a healthy fat-burning diet. As an example, you might choose to drink grapefruit juice before your meals, and then enjoy a combination of lean protein with a mixture of green and add a small portion of good quality carbohydrate, such as sweet potato or brown rice. You can spice it up with garlic, chili, ginger and herbs and if you get hungry between meals, snack on fruit. It is possible to maintain a healthy diet based on foods that burn fat.

(c) Waller Jamison 2007

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