law 9: Fat-fighting foods
Believe it or not, some foods actually help you to burn fat instead of putting it on! See if you can add one or two of these foods to your daily diet to give yourself an added fat-burning bonus:
Almonds and Other Nuts Go nuts! They slim your tummy by keeping it full. A Purdue University study showed that people who ate nuts felt full longer than those who ate rice cakes. Stick to 24 almonds a day to satisfy your hunger pangs without overloading on calories. Watch out: Skip salted nuts, too much sodium raises blood pressure. |
Protein Powder It's not just for gym rats! Protein powder contains amino acids that burn fat and build muscle. Add two teaspoons to a smoothie for a fat-busting drink. Find it at health food stores or online. Watch out: Make that smoothie with fruit, yogurt, and milk — adding protein powder to a chocolate shake doesn't make it health food (we wish). |
Olive Oil Everyone needs a little fat — it controls hunger. Go for monounsaturated fats like olive or canola oil. Coconut oil is also amazing. They will help keep your cholesterol under control and satisfy cravings. Watch out: Steer clear of hydrogenated vegetable oils, they're loaded with unhealthy trans fat. |
Lean Meats and Fish
Protein has a high thermogenic effect. This means that you burn about 30% of the calories that the food contains during digestion. Try adding chicken, turkey or lean steak to your next meal. Your body burns more calories digesting protein than carbs or fat. Why not choose fish. Go for tuna and salmon, they are full of omega-3s, which help prevent stress chemicals that promote fat storage. Watch out: Cured meats and sausage have a lot of unneeded saturated fat. |
Green Vegetables
If their vitamins and minerals don't persuade you, maybe their waist-whittling powers will do the trick. Veggies like spinach and broccoli are loaded with fiber and very few calories. Have a salad before a meal and you'll be satisfied with smaller portions later. Watch out: Iceberg lettuce has almost no fiber. Fill your bowl with romaine, arugula, or spinach instead. |
If you have any questions please give me a shout! | scott@crossfitrna.co.uk | Thanks TeamRNA :)