Eating to improve your ability to burn fat


Eating to improve your ability to burn fat
Eating to improve your ability to burn fat (Photo by Christopher Campbell)

Do you suffer from a slow metabolism? Are you a little overweight and need all the help you can get losing those extra pounds? If you’ve answered “yes” to either of these questions, we’ve got some good news for you.

You aren’t stuck with a slow metabolism. You’ve heard about food being the fuel your body needs to get through the day, right? The type of fuel you put into your body can make it run more efficiently; think of it as putting high-grade petrol into your car. It is possible to give your metabolism a little boost simply by eating certain foods. Here’s a look at a few of them:

  • Whole grains. You might not have thought that whole grains could help you burn fat more efficiently, but it’s true. Whole grains provide a ton of dietary fibre and lots of complex carbohydrates, which help to speed up your metabolism.
  • Hot peppers. If you love spicy food, you might want to kick it up a notch! Hot peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which is what makes them so spicy. This compound has been linked to increased metabolism, curbed cravings, and weight loss.
  • Vinegar. For years, vinegar has been one of those health “secrets”, but it has recently gained mainstream attention. Vinegar is really good for you, and thanks to its high acid content, it actually signals genes within your body’s cells to start breaking down fat. It is a particularly good idea to have vinegar after meals high in refined carbs because it can also help regulate your blood sugar.
  • Citrus. If you ever want a sweet snack, reach for an orange or grapefruit. Not only are these citrusy fruits high in vitamin C, but eating them can help keep your metabolism in check. In fact, having a citrus fruit for a snack can also help regulate your insulin levels throughout the day.
  • Coffee. Recent research has shown that your morning cup of coffee might actually be good for you despite containing caffeine. In fact, the caffeine in coffee that gives you a much-needed jolt in the morning also naturally stimulates your central nervous system into metabolising food as much as 5 to 8 per cent more efficiently.
  • Spices. Spices are very low in calories and one of the easiest “health foods” to incorporate into your diet. Many spices, including the likes of cinnamon and turmeric, help increase your body’s temperature and boost metabolism. When your temperature is higher, you burn fat a lot more quickly.

Just remember that although eating these foods can help your body metabolise fat a lot more efficiently, it doesn’t eliminate the need to get plenty of exercise and eat a well-balanced diet.

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