Exercising and weight training are a great start for getting in to shape, but what’s the point if that layer of stubborn fat is hiding all of the results? Burning off excess waist, hips and butt fat is very important, whether you want to tone your body or you just want to be healthy.
Luckily for you there are many different natural foods that can help you shed unwanted weight. Some of these, like the fruits and vegetables, will make sense while there may be others that you wouldn’t have expected.
1. Avocado
Avocados actually have many health benefits apart from burning fat, such as decreasing your risk of heart disease and keeping your cholesterol down. But as far as your belly is concerned avocados have nutrients which keep your blood sugar levels from spiking. Spikes in blood sugar will cause your body to store away excess fat, which is something you definitely want to avoid.
2. Nuts
Almonds and other nuts are a good way to keep from packing on the weight because they will make you feel full without adding a bunch of calories. Eat them for a snack to satiate hunger pangs so you won’t stuff yourself between meals.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon, in moderate quantities, is superb for regulating blood glucose levels and insulin. But don’t think this means you can load up on Cinnabon and call it a day. Instead, try to find healthier ways to incorporate cinnamon into dishes.
4. Bananas
This fruit is a great snack that contains many different vitamins as well as magnesium and calcium. The potassium in bananas is a great tool for muscle building, which leads to fat burning. The various healthy fibers also help block carbs and curb your cravings.
5. Green Tea
This delicious liquid has been a healthy part of people’s diets for ages, which just gives further evidence to its powerful properties. Green tea extract is currently being marketed in a supplement form that focuses and intensifies its fat-burning effects.
6. Apples
People don’t just say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” because it sounds fun. There is actually truth to this cute rhyme. Apples are packed full of healthy vitamins, nutrients, flavonoids, and antioxidants. This fruit also contains a compound known as pectin, which helps cells absorb water instead of taking in fat.
7. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are low on calories and high on fat-killing compounds like phytonutrients and Vitamin C. Another compound called 9-oxo-octadecadienoic has been recently studied and shown to help prevent obesity related chronic diseases.
8. Pumpkin
Yes, there are some health benefits to those pumpkin pies you chow down on every year at Thanksgiving. The calories are low, there is fiber, and most importantly pumpkin is a great source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that oxidative inflammation and stress in the body (which is linked to increased fat storage).