Eat to Burn Belly Fat
It may seem to go against the grain, but it’s true that many foods help you lose fat. In this article we’re going to look at 4 of my top picks, and I think you’re going to like at least some of them!
When it comes to your body, it’s important to think of it as a machine. If you give it the right kind of fuel and the nutrients it needs, then it will work more efficiently. Your metabolism is a major component of that machine. With the right daily intake of foods, your metabolism will work better and burn more fat from your entire body, including your belly.
The trick is simply knowing which foods boost your metabolism, and which foods slow it down or make it work less efficiently.
One general rule of thumb is to avoid foods that cause spikes in your blood glucose levels. These wreak havoc on your metabolism, both immediately and over time, making your body think it has a lot to work with and then suddenly leaving it wanting more. Sugars and processed carbs are the biggest culprits when it comes to this, so they should be avoided at all cost.
Instead, you need to go for foods that keep your metabolism raised for longer periods of time, and your blood glucose levels more balanced out and consistent. Luckily, there are a lot of foods that do this. And in the process, you’ll burn more calories and lose some of that annoying belly fat.
Before we move onto the 4 foods, getting those abs to show requires a pretty awesome healthy meal plan so you feel totally satisfied with what you eat and also has all the nutrients your body needs to burn fat. That’s why I put together this Sexy Flat Abs Meal Plan which has a full 7day/week meal plan full of clean eating recipes and snacks. Get it before January 31st and use Promo Code “newyears” to get an additional 30% off this package. You’ll have nothing to lose but the fat, but this is only for serious people so get’er done!
Here are 4 of my top picks…
4 Foods to Boost Metabolism and Burn Belly Fat
Fish
If you’re not a seafood lover, you need to find some options that you can work with, because fish is a great fat-burner. There are a few reasons for this. Namely, the omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in research to significantly enhance your metabolism and help you burn more fat. Omega-3s can also improve the health of your heart and help prevent dementia (as referenced by Alzeimer’s Prevention Foundation website).
To make sure you are getting your daily intake of high quality omega-3’s I would suggest a supplement like NOW Ultra Omega-3 so you don’t have to worry about getting too many heavy metals which may have accumulated in fish (since fish are exposed to toxins in our oceans they unfortunately have an accumulation of toxins like Mercury which can have many negative health effects).
The other important ingredient in fish is protein. Protein helps keep you full for longer, and burns more calories during digestion. Whether it’s fish, eggs, milk, or vegetable-based protein, you need to get more of it so you may want to consider keeping your daily protein intake high with a high protein but low-calorie smoothie using one of these top 3 selling proteins: Optimum 100% Natural Whey, Gardenia All Natural Vegan Protein or NOW Certified Organic Whey Protein.
By the way, my favorite fish recipe is to make fish tacos and you can even replace the tortilla with lettuce wraps to get rid of the low quality carbs. Look out for the recipe at the end of the article.
Avocados
We don’t hear of avocados being called superfoods, but they really should be considered in this category. They’re essentially the vegan equivalent of seafood, in so much that they’re high in protein (around 8 grams per avocado) and healthy fats. The other great thing about avocados is their rich, creamy texture. For this reason, they make a great substitute on sandwiches and salads, allowing you to eliminate other fats.
Nuts
Nuts, and especially those like almonds, pistachios, and macadamia nuts, are also high in healthy fats that can boost metabolism. These nuts also contain ingredients like magnesium that help regulate a number of hormones, including those related to sleep and diet. In my opinion, nuts are the best snacking choice on a fat-burning diet.
Check out these super metabolism-boosting almonds with cajun, lemon, and pepper seasoning – Cajun Lemon Pepper Almonds
Oatmeal
In terms of carbohydrates, oatmeal is a great choice for burning belly fat. It’s also high in craving-preventing protein like the other items on this list. But more importantly, oatmeal is high in fiber, which is an important ingredient for keeping you feeling full and helping your metabolism to run efficiently. As a morning meal, it’s ideal.
Bonus points to boost taste and metabolism can be done by adding cinnamon and blueberries.
Grilled Salmon Fish Tacos Recipe:
Ingredients
Salmon
1 1/2 lbs boneless salmon, skinned and sliced into 3 equal portions
1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for grill
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp ancho chili powder
3/4 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp salt, then more to taste
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Salsa
2 medium avocados (ripe but semi-firm), peeled, cored and diced
1/3 cup small diced red onion, run under cool water to remove harsh bite and drain
3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For serving
8 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
2 cups thinly sliced red or green cabbage
1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Directions
For the salmon:
Preheat a gas grill over medium-high heat. In a mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, lime juice, ancho chili powder, cumin, onion powder, paprika, coriander, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Evenly rub mixture over both sides of salmon (I placed the first one on the plate then began to stack the rest over it so the rub didn’t all just end up left behind on the plate). Brush grill lightly with oil, place salmon on grill and cook, rotating once halfway through cooking, until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Meanwhile, prepare avocado salsa.
For the avocado salsa:
In a mixing bowl gently toss together diced avocado, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil while seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
To assemble tacos:
Break salmon into small portions and layer over center of tacos, add cabbage, avocado salsa and Cotija cheese. Serve warm.
Have any questions or feedback about these 4 Foods that Burn Belly Fat? Please leave a comment below…
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Thank you for visiting! Weight Loss and Training is a health blog which features all the best weight loss tips that I have learned over my 20 years of training. My background includes a degree in Kinesiology from the world renown Simon Fraser University, certification in nutritional sciences from UBC, and Personal Trainer Specialist certification from Can Fit Pro.
Is it the the fried fish that i must take or??
Hi Ogatha, no fried fish is not recommended. Fish meat has fat naturally so you don’t need to fry it. As mentioned though, would be a good idea to take a fish oil supplement like NOW Ultra Omega-3.