Top 10 Fat Burning Foods

Can eating more actually help you lose weight? It sounds crazy but it's true – the more of these fat burning foods you eat, the more weight you lose. If you've overdone it a bit at the bar or the buffet (don't worry, we've all been there!) then fill your fridge with some of these amazing superfoods.

Green tea

Green tea is stuffed full of powerful antioxidants called catechins, and one in particular, ECGC, which gives your metabolism a boost. It does this by increasing the amount of norepinephrine your body produces, which sends a signal to the fat cells to start breaking down the fat and burning it for energy.

You have to drink a significant amount – 7 cups a day according to one study – but if you can't manage that then you can take a green tea pill. You can also drink matcha, a green tea with even more antioxidants than the regular stuff, or better yet eat some matcha cake with matcha ice cream.

Hot Peppers

Peppers are full of a compound called capsaicin, which is what makes them taste hot. Eating them raises your body temperature slightly and makes you burn off more energy than you would otherwise have used. They also significantly increased fat oxidation, the process where your body breaks down fat into simpler fatty acids, which leads to more fat being used as fuel.

To maximise the effects you need to eat peppers that are high in capsaicin – jalapeño, tabasco and habanero are all perfect. Who's for Mexican food?

Avocados

Speaking of Mexican food… A second helping of guacamole, please! Avocados are great for your diet because they're rich in mono-unsaturated fats. Eating more of these healthy fats encourages your body to burn more fat for fuel, without adding to the problem the way junk food does. And they're full of carotenoids, which are associated with disease prevention and fat loss.

Avocados also fight the free radicals in your body which attack and destroy cells. They're especially good at protecting your mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of your cells and make your metabolism run more efficiently.

Tamarind

Tama-what? This fruit is a common part of Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is used to flavour sauces and curries, to make jam, or blended into juices and other drinks.

The magic ingredient in Tamarind is hydroxycitric acid, or HCA. HCA inhibits the enzyme that causes carbohydrates to be stored in the body as fat. Without this enzyme, your body can't hang on to the excess carbohydrates and starts burning fat instead.

It also suppresses the appetite, making it easier to resist snacking between meals. Frankly, we don't need any encouragement to eat more curry!

Grapefruit

Turns out the quintessential 1980s diet isn't so weird after all. Eating grapefruit helps keep your insulin levels low, and insulin is the hormone that converts blood sugar into fat. Less insulin means you actually use the energy you get from food instead of sending it straight to your hips.

Grapefruit also extends the effects of caffeine, which means your cup of morning coffee will help you burn fat for longer and make you feel alert at the same time. Eat half a grapefruit or have a glass of grapefruit juice with breakfast and you'll be feeling the health benefits in no time.

Cinnamon

There are multiple studies that show cinnamon can also control the amount of insulin in your blood and prevent your blood sugar from spiking. This is important for weight loss because high blood sugar causes you to store fat, while low blood sugar causes you to burn fat.

It's so easy to add more cinnamon to your diet; sprinkle it on your oatmeal, stir some into your coffee instead of sugar, and no need to feel guilty when you tuck into that cinnamon roll!

Turmeric

This spice suppresses weight gain by making it harder for your body to form new blood vessels in fatty tissue, meaning the fat can't expand. Studies on mice show that they gain less weight when turmeric is added to their diet, and the effect on metabolism means fat burning is easier for your body.

A common ingredient in curries, Turmeric can also be used to flavor sauces and stews or baked into cakes and cookies for a light golden color.

Strawberries

Of course we all know fruit is good for you, but strawberries are particularly helpful for weight loss. They contain high amounts of polyphenols, a chemical which increases insulin sensitivity and encourages your body to use the sugar for energy instead of converting it to fat. They also increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut, which improve your digestion.

The best part is that polyphenols are also found in red wine and dark chocolate, making chocolate-covered strawberries an essential part of any good fat-burning diet. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are packed full of selenium, a nutrient which balances thyroid function. A properly working thyroid releases the hormones that ultimately tell your body to burn fat, and keeps your metabolism working in top form.

As a bonus, selenium is also an antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Be careful though, as it is possible to take too much – a small handful of Brazil nuts every day is more than enough.

Vitamin B12

Your body needs B12 to convert fat and protein into energy. If your levels of B12 are too low then your body won't burn fat as efficiently, and you will lose weight slower. A B12 deficiency is also associated with low energy levels and low serotonin, which will make going to the gym feel like even more of a chore.

If you don't much want a regular B12 injection, we feel you – needles, no thanks! - but luckily beef, pork, fish, eggs and dairy products all contain a hefty dose of this essential vitamin.

Of course, none of these is a miracle cure – you can't binge on chocolate and then make it okay by eating a Brazil nut. If only! But as part of a healthy diet, these foods will help you burn more fat, lose weight faster, and make healthy eating a whole lot more fun.