If you are familiar with the clickbaity headlines, you’ll know that there are super magical foods that will blast the fat off your belly.
But the truth of the matter is no food actually burns fat. Food is energy and your body will utilize that energy when eaten by storing it as fat, using it to repair cells, or storing it as glycogen in your muscles for later use.
There are 3 types of foods that I think are worth placing your focus on if you want to maximize your fat loss.
#1: Lean protein sources
You know what these are… lean chicken, fish, beef, lamb, pork, various dairy protein and even tofu, rice or pea protein for those who abstain from animal products.
Lean protein helps you maintain muscle on a diet, when you’re eating less and forcing your body to burn your love handles for fuel.
It also helps you stay full because protein is one of the more ‘filling’ of the three macronutrients.
#2: Fruit + Tubers/Root Veggies are your frandz
Fruit is full of 3 things that serve you well on a fat loss diet:
1. Water (assuming you’re eating fresh fruit, not dried)
2. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber
3. easily digestible carbs (aka sugar)
Tubers and root veggies are full of vitamins and minerals and are generally very filling when prepared properly.
Think of various potatoes, yuca, parsnips, carrots, yams, etc.
The reason these foods are great for fat loss is that they pack a nutritious punch and help you feel much fuller than other foods (like bread, pasta, other carbs) might.
#3: Leafy green veggies (volume foods)
Green veggies, also sometimes known as ‘volume foods’, can be a lifesaver when dieting for fat loss.
In terms of volume, you’re able to eat large amounts for very few calories. Typically, you can put a large bag of spinach in the skillet and cook it down to a fraction of the original size.
Or you can eat it in a salad raw and you’ll be full in no time.
When prepared properly, these can be tasty, provide lots of nutrients, and help you stay full when your calories are low.
Prepared properly, in this context, means cooking your greens thoroughly by sauteeing or steaming them. Many green vegetables can be hard to digest if they’re not heated first, so I tend to book my spinach or broccoli first before consumption.
Your mileage may vary.
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