How can you get rid of that stubborn belly fat that just won’t seem to budge? By including these eight foods in your diet, you’ll help your body naturally burn belly fat while you sleep! These tips will help you lose weight fast and achieve optimal health.
1) Strawberries
Berries are one of the best foods to burn belly fat. They’re low in calories and high in fiber, which will help you feel full for longer periods of time. They’re also rich in antioxidants, which have been found to protect against belly fat storage. In fact, a study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research revealed that rats fed high-fat diets supplemented with strawberry powder had less belly fat than those who didn’t consume berries or didn’t consume strawberry powder. It may be because strawberries have anti-inflammatory properties and anthocyanins (compounds found in berries) may reduce stress on blood vessels and improve heart health by reducing blood pressure and dilating blood vessels.
2) Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, which has been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Lycopene may also help decrease bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing good HDL cholesterol levels. All of these things can reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. In one study in particular, tomato consumption was associated with a 20% decreased risk of heart attack or stroke compared to people who didn't eat tomatoes regularly. Eating tomatoes may even reduce blood pressure (Barrett, 2011).
3) Spinach
A diet rich in spinach is key to burning belly fat because it contains a compound called alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), which has been shown to reduce abdominal fat when taken regularly. Research shows that ALA combined with exercise can also improve body composition by increasing muscle mass while decreasing fat mass and body weight, especially in people who are overweight. In addition to reducing belly fat, other studies have found that ALA can help treat high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not unusual for athletes and bodybuilders to consume large amounts of spinach or supplement their diets with powdered spinach juice, as both carbohydrates and protein powder from raw spinach are often used in weight gain shakes.
4) Avocado
Avocados are rich in healthy fats that not only help burn belly fat, but also contribute to weight loss when you eat them. One study published in Nutrition Journal found that participants who ate half a fresh avocado with lunch reported a 40 percent decreased desire to eat for hours afterward. What’s more? The trendy toast topping is also loaded with unsaturated fats, which seem to prevent the storage of belly fat.
5) Watermelon
Watermelon is 97% water and 3% sugar. It’s hydrating and full of vitamins, such as A, C, E and K. It can help reduce belly fat by keeping you hydrated. One study found that people who drank two cups of watermelon juice every day for four weeks reduced their waistlines by 10%. More studies need to be done on watermelon juice before we can recommend it as a fat burner. However, a low-calorie diet with lots of fiber or watermelon could help you lose belly fat quickly.
6) Almonds
When we’re trying to lose weight, almonds can make it easier. Not only are they loaded with a number of heart-healthy benefits, but studies show that almond eaters tend to be slimmer than those who avoid them. So stock up on nuts when you're in need of some extra crunch. For example, add sliced almonds to your green smoothie or snack on them as you walk home from work. Looking for more healthy snacks? Check out these 50 Best Snacks for Weight Loss!
7) Olive oil
Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fats, which are believed to increase fat burning and help you lose weight. A study in Obesity found that substituting olive oil for saturated fats increased calorie burn over 28 days. According to another study in Nutrition Journal, those who used olive oil while following a low-calorie diet lost more weight than those on a low-fat diet. Olive oil is also high in oleic acid, which helps your body absorb other important nutrients such as vitamin E. Additionally, olive oil can help prevent certain cancers and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
8) Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are saturated fats that rapidly metabolize into ketones. MCTs are metabolized more like carbs than fats, meaning they help increase your body’s use of glucose—which triggers your brain to release stored fat and provides a ready source of energy. Plus, MCTs can also be used directly by cells to produce fuel. If you want to lose weight quickly but safely, coconut oil is one of our favorite fat-burning foods.