It wasn't very long ago when people were convinced that in order to lose weight eliminating all fats was the way to go.
Of course, now we know that healthy fats are not only essential for good health, our body needs them to keep blood sugar balanced, keep us feeling satisfied longer and prevent cravings.
What you may not realize, is that eating foods that contain healthy fats can actually help you burn more fat – particularly that stubborn excess belly fat! Great news, right?!
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can go out and consume processed, fatty foods – those contain what are considered to be unhealthy fats that can damage our health as well as our waistlines.
There truly are a handful of “fat-burning foods,” that can actually help melt fat.
Eat these daily to burn that stubborn fat and reach your weight loss goals quicker.
1. Avocados
Avocados are a rich source of healthy monounsaturated fats, a type of fat that’s been found to increase HDL, or “good,” cholesterol, improve heart health and even increase the body’s fat burning abilities.
It’s also especially effective at squashing those hunger pangs that can lead to unhealthy snacking or binges.
In a study published in the Nutrition Journal, participants who ate half of an avocado with lunch reported a 40% lessened desire to eat for hours afterward.
Consider adding two tablespoons of homemade guacamole to top a salad, dice up half of an avocado and add it to eggs before cooking, or throw one-third of the fruit into a smoothie – not only will you get its fabulous health benefits, but your smoothie will be much creamier too!
2. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, but it comes in the form of lauric acid, a healthy type of saturated fat.
Not only does it have the ability to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol, but it can help burn stubborn flab, particularly abdominal fat. The oils contains medium chain triglycerides, or MCTs, which are broken down in the liver and leads to more efficient energy burning.
One 2009 study even found that eating 2 tablespoons of the tropical oil a day can help shrink ab fat faster than spending multiple hours on the treadmill.
Coconut oil can benefit your weight loss efforts by utilizing it as a replacement for other cooking oils, or even a substitute butter – in limited amounts, of course.
EXCLUSIVE >> 9 Reasons To Use Coconut Oil Daily (Plus 4 oils to AVOID)
The oil is able to tolerate high temperatures without being damaged, and it can also add a tasty tropical flavor to a vegetable stir-fry or fish.
Some use it to replace processed creamers in coffee. Anyone who's tried my Bullet Proof coffee has learned that by adding a tablespoon of coconut oil into the blender, you’ll get a frothy, rich delicious hot beverage that can boost your energy levels and fat burning capabilities for hours!
3. Nuts and Seeds
Just about any type of nuts or seeds can help you burn more fat, including almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds.
While nuts are generally made up of around 75 to 90% fat, it’s all considered healthy fat that helps keep cravings at bay, blood sugar balanced and aids in maintaining proper levels of fat burning hormones.
You'll want to limit the amount you consume to around three tablespoons per day if your're trying to lose weight.
Hemp seeds, considered one of the most nutritionally dense foods on earth, has one of the most powerful effects on weight loss.
They’re a rich source of fiber, packed with protein and are loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids that help regulate blood sugars and insulin levels.
Yes, the seeds do come from the cannabis plant, but hulled hemp seeds don’t contain THC, which is the chemical in marijuana responsible for producing mind altering effects.
You can find them at most natural food stores or online – look for organic seeds with no added ingredients.
Yours in Health,
Danette
P.S. Please share this with your friends and I always look forward to reading your comments below.