This post been updated since it was originally published on May 18, 2019.
It seems like every delicious food is off limits when losing weight is your goal. But, instead of focusing on the foods that you shouldn’t eat, these fat-burning foods offer something different: they’re healthy and contain nutrients and antioxidants that make them great choices for supporting your weight loss and health goals.
Here are six fat-burning foods you can eat non-stop and actually lose weight by summer, according to nutritionists.
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Salmon and Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like salmon and tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have modest, but effective weight loss and fat-burning benefits.
Just as importantly, these types of fish are packed with protein and nutrients and are low in calories and fat, which means eating fish a few times a week can help keep your calorie count down.
Green Tea
Rich in antioxidants called catechins, green tea has been proven in studies to boost your metabolism and help burn more fat. Although one or two cups isn’t enough to make a huge dent in your weight loss goals, replacing sugary juices or soda with green tea is an excellent way to cut down on carbs and boost your intake of antioxidants that can neutralize cell-damaging free radicals.
Additionally, according to Dr. Nikola Djordjevic of Health Careers, "The major component of green tea, [epigallocatechin gallate otherwise known as EGCG], is a strong antioxidant that is scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory action. ECGC suppresses the expression of inflammatory cytokines and related enzymes in your body."
Grapefruit
It’s an old fad diet, but one born from a kernel of truth: grapefruit really does contain enzymes that can burn more fat when eaten before other foods.
To get the most out of this citrus delight, enjoy grapefruit first thing in the morning.
Coffee
And, speaking of mornings, keep that cup of coffee in your diet. The caffeine in coffee helps suppress your appetite and boosts your metabolism. Coffee is also a thermogenic food, which means it heats up your body and spurs you to burn more calories, even when you’re sitting still.
Eggs
A medium-size egg contains just 78 calories, 5 grams of fat (with just a trace of saturated fat), and virtually zero carbs. It’s also a powerhouse of nutrients and vitamins, with vitamins B-6, B-12, D, protein, and iron.
In other words, eggs (yolk and all) are just about the most perfect breakfast food you can eat.
Protein Powder
A scoop of whey protein powder (or a non-dairy alternative) added to your smoothie ups the protein content considerably, which helps boost your metabolism and burn fat. Always read labels though: some protein powders are high in sugar — opt for those that are lowest in sugar and don’t exceed serving suggestions to avoid stomach upset.
