Fat Burning Foods: Key To A Flat Stomach

 

Fat burning foods might not be top of your list in your bid to get a flat stomach, or to lose belly fat. After all, food is the enemy and makes you gain weight, right?

Well not necessarily. There is actually an elite group of foods that stimulate your metabolism, create a fat burning hormonal response in your body and leave you feeling full and satisfied. They are actually vital to getting a tight, toned, sexy physique. So let’s learn more about them…

 

Fat Burning Foods Are Not What You’d Think!

Fat Burning FoodsYou might be forgiven for thinking that the best foods to help you with your fat loss are the low-calorie, zero-fat, sugar-free, diet, and lite foods advertised in the media. But you’d be wrong!

These foods can actually increase the amount of fat your body stores. This is because they are packed full of artificial sweeteners, highly refined carbohydrates, sugars and other processed nasties.

These so-called “health” foods are useless for controlling cravings and suppressing appetite. What’s more they send confusing hormonal signals to your body, spiking blood sugar levels (yes even the artificial sweeteners!) and putting you into fat storage mode.

Here are a few tips for finding foods that burn fat

Eating Fat Doesn’t Necessarily Make You Fat

I’m sure you’ve heard this one before, and thought to yourself: “yeah right”. But it all comes down to the type of fat you eat. Eating the right kinds of fat can actually make you leaner.

avoid vegetable oil and hydrogenated fatsObviously the type of fats to avoid are the processed, hydrogenated fats found in junk foods, ready meals, processed foods etc. These junk food evils actually prevent your cells from metabolizing calories and nutrients properly. And for what? A little extra shelf life.

Unfortunately it is commonplace to think that all fats are detrimental to your health and cause you to gain weight. But those found in natural, wholesome, unprocessed foods are vital to losing flab and maintaining a healthy immune system.

And before you get too worried about avoiding polyunsaturated, monounsaturated or saturated fats, remember that all three occur naturally in plant and animal life. You can’t avoid these types of fats, nor should you attempt to. How much of each fat contained within these food sources depends on the climate, diet and overall environment in which they grew and developed.

Here is a very simple way to work out which fat sources are healthy, and which are unhealthy. Just ask yourself these questions before making your food choices:

For fruit, vegetable, nut and all other plant based sources: “Is it natural, minimally processed and organic? Or has it been chemically altered and heavily processed?”

For meat, fish and dairy (animal based sources): “Is it from a free range, wild or grass-fed animal? Or is it from a mass production, controlled farm environment?”

In both cases, fats from natural, free range, organic sources are far healthier than those from man-altered, mass-produced food. Once you get used to asking yourself these questions, your food choices will become much healthier, and easier!

Eat Wholesome, Natural, Unprocessed Food

I could go on to talk to you about processed and unprocessed sugars, natural and unnatural sweeteners. But my arguments would be pretty similar to what I’ve already written about fat sources, so I’ll save that for another article.

What I’d like to talk to you about instead is how easily a fat burning food can be transformed into a stomach-bloating time bomb!

I’m going to use the example of fruit juice.

Fruit Juice: Healthy Food?

Fruit juice should be avoidedFruit juice has been touted as a true health food (yes I know it’s a drink ;-) ). In fact you can get anywhere from 1 to all 5 of you’re recommended 5 a day in one hit, and with no added sweeteners or preservatives! Win-Win it sounds, not so…

As natural as fruit juice sounds, it has actually been processed and altered. But this time it’s not about what has been added, but what has been taken away.

Fruit juice has had almost all of the fruit’s flesh and skin removed. So what? This is where all of the natural fiber is contained. Dietary fibre actually slows the body’s absorption of sugar. So without this your fruit juice is delivering a blood sugar spiking, hormonal fat storing sucker-punch.

And you might be getting 2 of your 5-a-day from that juice, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting the sugar from 2 pieces of fruit. More likely, you’re getting the juice, and sugar, from 10-12 pieces of fruit all at once! Not good for your waistline, I promise you.

Stick to eating organic, whole fruit for a healthy dose of natural sugar, antioxidants and fiber.

Fat Burning Secret – Eat As Nature Intended

The overwhelming message of this article is that natural, wholesome, organic and unprocessed are the real fat burning foods. By seeking out and eating foods that burn fat the number of calories you consume becomes almost irrelevant.

If you are serious about burning belly fat, losing weight and getting a firm, sexy physique then you need to check out Mike Geary’s Fat Burning Kitchen.

Learn how to choose the right foods, avoid the belly-bulging junk and create satisfying and delicious meals. All while stripping off your belly flab. Click here to learn more.

Related articles:
Negative calorie foods and the negative calorie effect, what are they?
List of the very best, most delicious fat burning foods.

Should you really STOP eating to lose belly fat?

Does Chocolate Have A Place In A Healthy Nutritional Program?

 

dark chocolateMany people will argue, and I would agree, that most diets and weight loss programs fail because they leave you feeling deprived. So does this mean you do have space for the odd chocolate treat in your nutritional program?

Well yes actually, I believe it does. But you have to be very careful about the type of chocolate you choose.

But be warned: If you’re eating too much of the wrong kind then you are seriously jeopardizing your weight loss goals.

 

Milk Chocolate vs Dark Chocolate

types of chocolateNot all chocolate is the same. Milk and white chocolate contain an extremely high quantity of processed sugars and other junk, leaving relative little cocoa (cocoa is believed to have some significant health benefits).

And if you’ve read any of my other articles then you’ll know that processed sugars are one of the main reasons why people put on weight, and one of the main reasons why people find it so difficult to lose their excess flab too.

Basically, processed sugars cause a spike in blood sugar level and a hormonal fat storing response in your body.

On the other hand, organic, dark chocolate with few ingredients is made from 70, 80 or even 90% cocoa! And this is the type of chocolate that I highly recommend you choose.

The Health Benefits of Cocoa (and Dark Chocolate)

I could write an entire article on the health benefits of cocoa (in fact I have). Some of them have been scientifically proven, and others are based on our understanding of the way the human body reacts to what it digests.

raw cocoa beansBut from the perspective of a healthy nutritional program and our weight loss goals, here are the most important:

Dark chocolate’s bitter taste can help the body regulate appetite & reduce cravings

High amount of cocoa butter (stearic acid slows digestion) makes the stomach stay full longer

And let’s not forget that the carbohydrates in dark chocolate also raise serotonin levels, the cause of the famous “mood elevating” effects of chocolate.

Of the above benefits, my favorite is the ability to control cravings. If you’re not craving junk food then your ability to make healthy food choices is hugely improved!

How To Enjoy Chocolate As Part Of A Nutritional Program

As you know, a nutritional program requires you to kick those bad diet habits. But there is also a place for indulging in small amounts.

I’ve already mentioned that I’d like you to choose dark over milk or white chocolate. But it’s also about the amount of chocolate you consume.

I like to enjoy 2 small pieces of dark chocolate after a healthy nutritional meal. I find that it really satisfies my sweet tooth. And for those calorie counters out there, you’ll be consuming relatively few.

enjoy dark chocolate in moderationThe wrong thing to do, and I see this all the time in people who FAIL in their efforts to lose weight, is to deprive yourself throughout the day and then gorge on a large bar of milk chocolate as an end of day treat.

The thinking behind this type of eating pattern is that by consuming few calories during the day, you have can go ahead and eat tons of unhealthy calories without gaining weight.

Unfortunately your body just doesn’t work like this. People that eat like this will almost certainly find themselves unable to lose weight and burn fat, and are far more likely to GAIN weight by eating this way.

So, the aim of the game is to enjoy dark chocolate in moderation. You’ll find that this little indulgence plays a massive part in your nutritional program.

And the result? A fitter, leaner body for you!

If you enjoyed this article why not learn about more foods that help you lose weight and burn fat fast. Warning: some of these fat burning foods are totally not what you’d expect and will surprise you.

Click Here for The Complete Guide To Fat Burning Foods, Meal Plans and Recipes

Does Diet Soda Make You Fat?

 

Does diet soda make you fat?Does diet soda make you fat? Are sugar-free soft drinks just as bad for your health and your weight loss as the full-sugar alternative? Find out here…

I’m going to start off by asking you all a question… Hands up if you’ve ever chosen diet soda because it’s the “healthy” option.

Yep, that’s quite a few hands I see raised in the air.

Now, hands up if you’ve ever been standing at a vending machine, out for a meal or in a store and heard somebody else comment on their choice of diet soda.

“I’m on a diet, better get the diet soda.”

Or my personal favorite:

“I can drink as much diet soda as I like because it is calorie and sugar free!”

Just as I thought, even more hands waving at me!

Better put them down now though, you look kinda weird sitting there waving your hand at the screen :-)

Well it might surprise you, and all of those other diet soda drinkers you were just thinking about, to learn that there is absolutely NOTHING even remotely healthy about diet soda.

Learn about the crazy “Health Foods” that are SABOTAGING your Fat Loss!

Artificial Sweeteners Can Cause You To Gain Weight

It might sound crazy, but even though the artificial sweeteners in sugar free drinks have no calorific value (zero calories) there is evidence to show that they cause you to gain weight.

Even more frightening, there is a good chance that “diet” drinks are actually MORE fattening than their full-sugar brothers and sisters.

Wait a minute, what the deuce!?

Hormonal Response To Artificial Sweeteners

Did you know that it is NOT the number of calories you eat and drink every day that causes you to gain weight? It is actually your body’s HORMONAL RESPONSE to the calories you ingest.

In the case of diet soda there are no calories, but the chemicals you are drinking trick the body into believing it’s eating something sweet.

Let’s take Aspartame for example (found in Diet Coke). This chemical actually blocks your brain’s production of serotonin (controls mood and appetite amongst other things).

And what does your body do when it is suffering from low serotonin levels? It tells your body to go and get some of the foods that it knows will stimulate the release of the chemical.

And guess what, this just happens to be the waistline expanding, high-calorie, carbohydrate-rich, processed “junk” foods that every dieter fears!

So sugar free sodas are actually fueling your sugar and junk food cravings. Not good.

diet soda link to obesity?

Insulin Response

Scientists also suspect that no-calorie sweeteners trigger the release of insulin in your body. (Insulin is released by your pancreas to allow your cells to absorb blood sugar and provide energy).

The problem is that artificial sweeteners are tricking your body into releasing insulin because they taste sweet. But there is no sugar to feed your cells. And as soon as your body figures out there is no food, it decides that it better go and get some! This, of course, triggers your appetite!

And again you’ll be craving sugary foods that produce a quick “spike” in blood sugar levels, quickly followed by a “crash”. This is how we get into a hunger-craving-snacking cycle that adds on the pounds.

Just think about how many time you’ve told yourself “man, I need a sugar hit”. You know that candy bar is bad for you, but you NEED it! Wouldn’t you like to get rid of these cravings or control them if you had the chance?

Drinking Diet Soda Causes Obesity?

Nobody has yet actually taken the time to prove scientifically that diet soda causes obesity. But there is one study from the University of Texas that proven a very strong link between the two.

Sharon Fowler and colleagues conducted an 8-year study on the links between soft drink use and weight gain.

“What didn’t surprise us was that total soft drink use was linked to overweight and obesity,” Fowler tells WebMD. “What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks, their risk of obesity was even higher.”

In fact, the researchers found that nearly all of the obesity risk came from diet sodas.

“There was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day.”

Read more on the study at WebMD.

The results of this study are pretty conclusive. If you had any lingering doubts, it proves that there is absolutely NO place in your life for soda, diet or otherwise, if you care about your health and your body.

Artificial Sweeteners – If It’s Not Sugar, Then What Is It?

Saccharin – Discovered in 1879 by a chemist researching coal tar derivatives.

Sucralose – Developed as a pesticide in the 1970s. Re-branded as a no-calorie sweetener. (Actually contains trace amounts of chlorine).

Aspartame – Discovered by a chemist looking to create an anti-ulcer drug in 1965. Finally approved for human consumption in 1980 after years of wrangling over its alleged contribution to cancer in lab rats.

So next time you feel like reaching for a sugar-free soft drink, why not just take a moment to remind yourself of what you will be drinking. “I’ll have a dose of pesticide, coal tar derivative or anti-ulcer drug please.”

And remember, the next time you feel like reaching for a “diet” drink, there is absolutely NOTHING “diet” about it.

Artificial sweeteners and other man made foods are making you FAT. Find out more here…

Clever stuff:

Aspartame Wikipedia

Sucralose Wikipedia

Saccharin Wikipedia