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Whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds or more than a few pounds, the method should always be the same: pace yourself, don’t attempt to lose weight too quickly, and make sure you are eating healthy foods and not depriving yourself of nutrition.
Focusing on the fat-burning foods that will make a difference can help keep you from feeling like there’s nothing you can eat that will actually be satisfying. Here are four fat-burning foods you should start eating this week to lose four pounds.
Fat-burning foods can, of course, include everything from vegetables and fruits to meats, fish, legumes, and even dairy and carbohydrates. In every food category you’ll find a number of foods that are beneficial to add to your diet, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
All four of the fat-burning foods on this list share a few things in common. For starters, they are high in protein — which is necessary if your intention is to fill up fast and provide your body with a source of long-lasting energy that can carry you through the day and workouts.
Most of these foods are also relatively low in calories and any fats they contain are of the healthy, monounsaturated variety that are good for your heart and for your weight loss goals.
Nuts
If you want to lose more weight, start by swapping carb-heavy snacks, and especially refined carbs like crackers and chips, with a handful of nuts. All nuts — from almonds to walnuts — are a great source of protein, monounsaturated fats, and vitamins and minerals. They’ll fill you up without weighing you down and will provide numerous health benefits.
Tuna
Fresh fish is one of the healthiest lunches or dinners you can prepare for yourself. When you’re ready to take a break from salmon, a fish like tuna is equally delicious, healthy, and versatile in the many ways you can prepare it.
“It doesn't get any better than fish when it comes to healthy protein, especially tuna, salmon, and sardines,” reports Good Housekeeping. “They're filled with important omega-3s and lean protein, helping you fill up and curb cravings.”
Peanut Butter
Believe it or not, peanut butter, though high in fat, may actually help you lose weight, thanks to its ability to control your appetite and suppress blood sugar, reports Healthline:
“Certain foods, especially processed foods and starchy foods, cause a spike in your blood sugar. Blood sugar that is unstable has been linked to obesity and diabetes. But peanut butter, despite its natural sweetness and delicious texture, has a low glycemic index.Eating peanut butter is a way of consuming fats as well as protein and fiber without sending your blood sugar levels into a tailspin.”
Greek yogurt
Not only is plain Green yogurt a fantastic source of protein and calcium, but it contains probiotics that balance the amount of bad and healthy bacteria in your gut, eliminate bloating, and help you maintain a healthy digestive system.
Unsweetened Greek yogurt is always best — you can always add a drop of raw honey if you need more flavor.
