Introduction
If you’re looking to burn belly fat, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with excess fat around their midsection, and it can be difficult to know which foods to eat to help reduce it. Fortunately, dietitians have identified five of the best foods to help you burn belly fat. These foods are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, and they can help you feel fuller for longer, reduce cravings, and boost your metabolism. Read on to learn more about the five best foods to burn belly fat, according to dietitians.
5 Best Foods To Burn Belly Fat, Dietitian Says
If you’re looking to burn belly fat, dietitians recommend adding these five foods to your diet. Eating these foods can help you lose weight and keep it off for good.
1. Avocados
Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and fiber, which can help you feel full and reduce cravings. They also contain monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help reduce belly fat. Try adding avocado to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies.
2. Berries
Berries are packed with antioxidants and fiber, which can help reduce inflammation and keep you feeling full. They also contain polyphenols, which can help reduce belly fat. Try adding berries to your oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies.
3. Nuts
Nuts are a great source of healthy fats and protein, which can help reduce cravings and keep you feeling full. They also contain fiber, which can help reduce belly fat. Try adding nuts to salads, oatmeal, or yogurt.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is packed with antioxidants and catechins, which can help reduce inflammation and boost your metabolism. It can also help reduce belly fat. Try drinking green tea throughout the day or adding it to smoothies.
5. Whole Grains
Whole grains are a great source of fiber and protein, which can help reduce cravings and keep you feeling full. They also contain B vitamins, which can help reduce belly fat. Try adding whole grains to salads, oatmeal, or yogurt.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one miraculous diet that speeds up the belly fat burn. The good news? When making healthy eating choices for weight loss, fat in the midsection is typically the first to melt away, according to WebMD. We chatted with Melissa Mitri, MS, RD, nutrition writer and owner of Melissa Mitri Nutrition, who shares with us her top-recommended foods to burn belly fat. Work them into your diet every day, and watch the belly fat melt away!
Keeping your midsection in tip-top shape goes far beyond aesthetics. According to WebMD, having excess belly fat can be toxic to your health. Visceral fat—the “deeper” fat that encompasses your organs—is associated with many horrible health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, and dementia. That’s why it’s necessary to make healthy moves in the kitchen and at the gym in order to slim down, shape up, and boost your overall wellness.
Keep reading to learn more about Mitri’s recommendations for the best foods to burn belly fat, and next up, don’t miss 12 Foods Everyone Over 50 Should Eat for Serious Weight Loss.
Eggs
“Eggs are one of the highest-quality protein sources out there,” Mitri explains. The really awesome thing about protein? It keeps you satiated and has a lower calorie count when compared to fats and carbs.
“Including eggs as a regular protein source can keep you full, help you eat less, and in turn, torch belly fat,” Mitri adds.
Avocados
Research shows that avocados can positively alter how belly fat is distributed in women. One study in particular, which was funded by the Hass Avocado Board and published in the Journal of Nutrition, reveals the benefits of eating an avocado every day.
“Women who ate avocados as part of a daily meal saw a reduction in their visceral fat, the deeper belly fat that’s harder to target,” Mitri explains.
Hot Peppers
During your next trip to the grocery store, don’t forget to add some hot peppers to your shopping cart. Mitri recommends them as a solid food to burn belly fat.
“Hot peppers contain a compound called capsaicin that suppresses appetite and can help your body burn more fat,” Mitri says, adding, “It is said to do this by converting so-called ‘white fat’ to ‘brown fat’ in the body. Brown fat, otherwise known as brown adipose tissue, helps you burn more calories and fat around the belly region.”
Kale
Mitri dubs kale one of the “top weight loss superfoods,” and research backs this up. According to a 2022 study, individuals who consume more kale could experience greater weight loss.
“[Kale] is incredibly nutritious, naturally low in calories, and incredibly filling, making it easier to stick to a lower-calorie weight loss plan,” Mitri explains.
Berries
Last but certainly not least, it’s time to rev up your berry intake if you want to burn belly fat. Berries such as strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries could impact genes that manage fat burn and storage in your body, according to Mitri.
“Berries are rich in fiber and low in calories, a winning combo for weight loss,” she says, adding, “They also are rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, which are thought to be responsible for much of their weight loss benefits.”
Alexa Mellardo