When we decide to go on a diet, our first instinct is often to eat less. After all, fewer calories should mean more weight loss, right? While portion control is important, it's not always enjoyable. But what if you could actually burn fat by eating more? Surprisingly, certain foods have this ability. So, if you're looking to lose weight without feeling hungry, consider adding these seven fat-burning foods to your diet.
# CinnamonCinnamon is a delicious spice that most of us love anyway so we don’t really need more reasons to eat it. However, far from being an essential ingredient in every dessert, cinnamon actually helps you reach your weight loss goals faster. Just ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon powder consumed after a meal can help increase your body’s ability to metabolize sugar by up to 20 times. When sugar isn’t broken down properly, it gets stored as fat. So eating more cinnamon could help decrease your total body fat.
# TeaThe coffee vs. tea debate might never end, but when it comes to weight loss, tea is hands-down the winner. Tea contains a powerful antioxidant known as EGCG which burns stubborn fat. The antioxidant is especially high in green tea and highest in matcha green tea. This fat-burning is amplified by the presence of caffeine in tea. The caffeine in tea helps kick-start thermogenesis, the process by which our body burns fat. The next time you take a tea break, you’ll know that you’re also losing weight in the process.
# Artichokes
Artichokes are a criminally underrated vegetable which are also an important weight loss food. The reason why we feel hungry is because our body produces a hormone called ghrelin. If it produces too much ghrelin, we end up eating a lot and consuming more calories than we should. Artichokes contain a special kind of carbohydrate called inulin which can actually suppress the secretion of ghrelin. This means when you eat artichokes, you’re probably not going to be reaching out for unhealthy snacks anytime soon.
# Ginger
Ginger is a favorite among weight-watchers everywhere and for good reason. Drinking a glass of fresh ginger root tea can suppress your appetite for a long time. If you often cave to a mid-morning snack, then try to consume ginger when you feel a craving coming on. Some studies also suggest that the heat-producing qualities of ginger can burn body fat. Include plenty of fresh ginger in your meals (and in between them) if you want to see the number on the scale dropping quickly.
# Cayenne PepperWho says healthy food has to be bland and boring? A dash of cayenne pepper can add a kick to even the most tasteless recipe. Luckily for everyone struggling with their weight, cayenne pepper is more than just a seasoning. When you eat something spiced with cayenne pepper, your internal body heat immediately rises. Because of the increase in heat, your body begins to burn fat. Cayenne pepper is also supposed to increase your libido, so you might even burn a few extra calories in the bedroom!
# SeaweedSeaweed is fast becoming popular for its many health benefits, weight loss in particular. Seaweed contains a compound known as alginate. When ingested, alginate forms a layer on the insides of our digestive system, preventing fat from passing through. Since the fat cannot be absorbed by our body, we end up eliminating it through our waste. Seaweed is extremely versatile and can be added to almost any dish. If you’re unsure of how to use it, just toss it into a salad or munch on seaweed chips.
# Apple Cider VinegarDrinking apple cider vinegar after every meal can help your body metabolize the food much faster. By doing this, it immediately lowers your blood sugar levels. Chronically high blood sugar levels leads to increased fat storage and in many cases, diabetes. If you want to lose weight quickly, sip on a drink made from 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder mixed with a glass of warm water.