Dieting, not dieting. It is always something. However, there are some special foods that work in the fight against belly fat, or any other fat for that matter. Some of these foods, or drinks might just be able to get you over that hurdle or plateau. It is just nice to know what these foods can do, and you can use them to your advantage and weight-loss benefit.
Fruits
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is full of soluble fiber so it helps to slow down your digestion process, and help keep you from reaching for that second helping and helps to make you feel full.
Watermelon, Apples, Pears: These fruits are full of water and take over the space that your stomach leaves open for food, thus, making you feel full faster.
Berries: Many of us have an out of control craving for some sugar or sweets. Blackberries, strawberries and blueberries can help you curb that craving. Especially if you eat them frozen. It can fool your temptation into thinking it ate something sugary.
Veggies
Cucumber: These crunchy and refreshing veggies can help to curb your need for crunch. Cucumbers have very few calories and actually really good for your health. It can help stave off liver disease and pancreatic cancers. It can also make your hair and nails look healthy because they contain so many minerals. Great for dips and salsa or just add the crunch to a salad or sandwich.
Hot peppers: There have been many studies shown that hot things curb your appetite. A good choice is cayenne pepper, spicy habaneros or jalapenos. Hot peppers also comprise the compound capsaicin, which speeds up the metabolism.
Celery: If you’re a self-proclaimed snacker, and NEED that crunch, celery will be your best friend. Not only does it satisfy the need to eat something, but it has virtually no calories (one cup of celery equals a measly nineteen calories). If it is just too flavorless for you, give fat-free cottage cheese, guacamole, or fat-free black bean dip a try.
Protein
Greek yogurt: I am sure you have all seen your regular yogurt brands branching out and starting to make Greek yogurt. It is so thick and creamy that it is easy to replace some full fat items with it. It has also been shown to keep you satisfied longer. Greek yogurt also takes time to leave your stomach so you feel full longer.
Eggs: I love eggs, and they have a bad wrap. If you start off your day with one, you have already had 7 grams of protein. It will continue to digest throughout your morning and keep you feeling satisfied. Try hard boiled egg if you are in a rush out the door.
Fish: We all know that fish has the omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that our body needs, but did you know that Wild salmon, tuna and sardines help make your body more responsive to the fat-burning hormone leptin and also helps suppress your appetite.
Beverages
Green tea: Multiple studies have recommended green tea for when you’re trying to shed pounds because it can motivate the body to burn abdominal fat. It’s made up of a type of phytochemical called catechins, which can assist the metabolism.
Coffee: From a previous post – Caffeine Proven To Boost Weight Loss, we learned a lot about the benefits and the metabolism boost. Just make sure you don’t get the Frappuccino, or you may not see a difference. Here is a list of Starbucks Drinks that are All Under 190 Calories. Great for when you are counting your calories, but you need that caffeine fix!
Ice cold water: Drink eight to ten glasses of ice cold water a day to burn 250 to 500 calories! Your body goes into overdrive trying to heat the water back up to your normal body temperature. Iced Tea or adding some packets of flavoring of your choice like Emergen-C also does the trick.
Grains
Quinoa: This is one of the healthiest of the grains. It contains 5 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein per cup. Throw in some steamed veggies and you have a dinner that is satisfying and good quality for your digestion.
Oatmeal: The steel-cut oats are what you are looking for. You can add your sugar to your liking and be in control of how much. You can also add cinnamon and nutmeg for the flavor without adding sugar. The oatmeal will keep you full and hydrated.
Crispbreads: Whole grains are where it makes the difference. Rye crackers help to keep your belly fat at bay.
Spices
Cinnamon – Surprising Slimming Secret – Cinnamon breaks down blood sugar that could turn to fat. It also helps lower blood glucose levels. Too much blood glucose creates insulin that flows into the blood stream and turns excess calories into fat.
I’m loving this! It’s lika a shopping list. I now have something new in my diet foods. Yum Yum!… Thanks!
All great food and drinks and all are affordable. I like it all! Side note: I heard on NPR not long ago about the greek yogurt craze. Apparently, there are lots of copy cats and some are not true Greek yogurt. It’s a hot topic for those that grew up with true Greek yogurt. Sorry, I forgot all the details but Greek yogurt definitely is better. Oh and according to NPR, Chobani is a true greek yogurt. :)
Hi Debbie! Thanks so much for commenting! Thanks for the info about the yogurt. I have not heard that but that is so good to know! I’m also glad to know which brand is real yogurt. I love it!
xoxo
Thank you for this website…I had major abdominal surgery and am not able to do anything. I want to lose weight (read the latest groundbreaking research) and was confused about the right foods to eat and drink. Thank you so much for this.
Christina
Hi Christina,
Thank you so much for your comment. I am so glad that this will help you. I hope you are doing well after your major surgery. Get well soon!
xoxo!
-Erin
Erin, love the tips. Perfect for getting on or staying on the right track.
Thank you for sharing this.I have always been skinny all my life.Then I had a surgery which lead to a lot of steroid shot.I gain 40 lbs in less then 2 months…I been trying everything for the past 3 yrs to loose weight.Noting help.I will try these food and drink you had suggested…wish me luck:)
Hi Kelly and Nuweee,
Thanks for the comments and kind words. I hope these tips help. Good luck on your weight loss Nuweee!
xoxo
Erin
a lot of what I put in my granola bars
http://www.cookingwithjax.com/2011/01/apple-pie-breakfast.html — this combines your apples, cinnamon, water & steel cut oats and tastes amazing!
Thanks for the shopping list!!!!
You are so welcome @Pamela!
Lots of great ideas here! I’m over 60, (hit age 30 a long time ago!) so I guess I’ll just read the page twice! : ) Thanks for sharing!
Grapefruit really help you to lose weight (read the latest groundbreaking research).
Everything sounds yummy. The berries, grapefruit, Greek yogurt, and oatmeal would make a great breakfast smoothie.
Hi, I’d like to share a little bit. You should also substitute skim milk or any kind of cows milk for that matter for almond, coconut or rice milk…its much healthier, the reason being skim milk is highly processed and milk solids are later added to the milk, also you are left with a lot of lactose in skim milk and lactose turns to sugar in the body. you are probably better off with a small amount of 2% or full fat milk, but definitiely way better off with unsweetened almond milk.
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Quick Weight Loss Support
Lipton makes a bottled “Citrus Green Tea” is that considered an aceptable Green Tea. Dr. Oz says citrus helps absorb the good things in green tea.
can i mix 10g of lemon tea powder with 70ml of green tea(one bag) for better results??????????
Thanks for posting this i ma so ejlsjoj oslkej sjf.
does it realy work?
Food always works for reducing fat.
WOOHH!!! AMAZING!!! Everything listed in this post is somewhere in my favorites but never thought that they can help burning fats… Thank you so much for such an informative post.