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Six Awesome, Healthy, and Delicious Foods to help you BURN FAT!!!

By Claudia Jackson

Yes, you read that right. Not only are these foods scrumptious and worthy of a place in any kitchen, but they actually help you burn fat!

Read on to find out more about these six super allies in the battle of the bulge.

The pre-exercise option: Green Tea

Up at six, grab your gym bag, and girrrl… you are on a roll!

But wait!  Before you hit the treadmill, take a few minutes to relax with a cup of calming green tea. No, I`m not kidding. Green tea contains the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (try saying that after a few drinks!) and a smidge of caffeine, two powerful ingredients to boost metabolism and help burn fat, especially before a workout, as it increases the amount of calories burned during exercise.

Green tea has a mild, pleasant taste, but if it’s not your cup of tea (couldn’t resist sorry!) it’s also available as a supplement.

The breakfast option: Full-fat Greek yogurt

What better way to start the day than with a bowl of thick, creamy Greek yogurt? Not only does it taste delish, especially when you add some chopped nuts, berries, and a drizzle of honey, but Greek yogurt packs a mighty punch when it comes to burning fat! Greek yogurt (it has to be the full-fat variety, mind) contains a type of fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)  as well as amino acids, vitamin D, and calcium that promote fat burning. It also contains probiotics for optimal gut health, so you`ll have a (flat) and happy tummy. Win-win!

The spicy option: Cayenne pepper

Add some spice to your life with this powerful fat-busting ingredient. Cayenne peppers' superpowers are trifold, and studies have shown that this hot little number can reduce cravings, increase metabolic rate, and burn more calories. As if this wasn’t enough, Cayenne pepper has also been shown to protect your stomach and reduce inflammation. Add cayenne pepper to soups, stews, omelets, and curries for an extra kick! Don’t like spicy food? Cayenne pepper is also available in capsule form.

The dinner party option. Salmon

You know the drill, it’s the weekend and your other half decides to throw a dinner party or take you out for a slap-up meal. What better way to celebrate the end of the week right? Well, yes, but you`ve worked so hard this week to be healthy and it's paying off. Your jeans are a little looser and we`ve all seen you do that quick double-take as you pass the mirror in the hall….  Fret not, Salmon, that pink-hued crazy wonder that swims upstream only to lay its eggs and die, is not only healthy and FAT BURNING, it`s also delicious and easy to cook.  So how does salmon achieve such a lean, mean, fat-burning feat?

·        Salmon is high in protein, which is harder for the body to digest keeping you fuller for longer,

·        Salmon is also rich in omega 3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation and promote fat burning.

·        As if that wasn’t enough salmon is high in selenium, a mineral that helps regulate thyroid function which is vital for a healthy metabolism. Selenium is also great for your skin, so get ready for that JLO glow!

The snack option: Almonds

Bored at home? Nothing on TV? Tummy beginning to rumble?

Stop!

Before you start raiding the snack cupboard (You really need to get rid of that BTW ) it’s time to go nuts for nuts! As a healthy snack, nuts, and almonds, in particular, take a lot of beating, These perfectly snack-sized little beauties are high in magnesium, antioxidants, and healthy fats. In one study of overweight adults in the US, those who snacked on almonds lost 50% more fat than those who ate high carbohydrate snacks.

The swallow-it-quick option: Apple cider vinegar:

OK, I lied. But in my defense it got you to read this far! Not all my fat-burning foods are delicious. This one is best mixed in a large glass of water and swallowed fast. But no pain no gain, and the benefits of apple cider vinegar are impressive, to say the least. Studies suggest that a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar a day may promote weight loss by:

·        lowering blood sugar levels

·        decreasing insulin levels

·        boosting metabolism

·        reducing fat storage

·        burning fat

·        suppressing appetite

So there we have it. Time to get yourself down to the supermarket, grab a cart, and stock up on these amazing fat-burning foods. Of course, these butt-busting wonders only work if you combine them with a healthy diet and regular exercise, but every little helps as they say………and you do look so good in those jeans!