6 Kosher Foods That Burn Fat Naturally
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By Josh Axe February 15, 2018
Feeling like you’ve hit a plateau with your weight loss? There are few things more frustrating than a scale that won’t budge regardless of how many salads you eat or the number of gym sessions that you cram in.
While following a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help to burn off stubborn fat, including certain foods in your diet can ramp up your fat-burning potential and help you bust through any plateaus to lose weight fast.
Squeeze in a few servings of these powerful ingredients to naturally increase the breakdown of fat and take your weight loss to the next level, with minimal extra effort required.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason. Besides being associated with health benefits including improved heart health and better brain function, coconut oil also contains compounds that can help rev up fat loss.
Coconut oil is packed with healthy, medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fatty acid that has been shown to increase fat burning and boost weight loss. One review in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics looked at the results of 13 studies and found that medium-chain triglycerides, like those found in coconut oil, were more effective than long-chain triglycerides in reducing total body fat, body weight, and belly fat.
Use coconut oil for high-heat cooking, swap it in place of unhealthy fats when baking, or add a scoop or two into your morning smoothie to increase your fat-burning potential.
2. Green Tea
Known and revered for its incredible medicinal properties, adding green tea to your day is an easy way to jumpstart fat burning.
Studies show that green tea increases fat oxidation, or the breakdown of fat in the body. In a study performed at the University of Birmingham, green tea extract increased fat burning by an impressive 17 percent. Similarly, another study in 2005 showed that taking a mixture containing green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure compared to a placebo.
Try drinking one to two cups of green tea per day to maximize your weight loss and fat-burning. However, be careful not to go overboard with adding extra ingredients like honey or sugar to your cup in order to ensure you’re maximizing the green tea health benefits and not loading up on extra calories.
3. Kefir
Kefir is a type of fermented milk drink that is loaded with health benefits. In particular, kefir is rich in probiotics, a type of beneficial bacteria that is believed to play a major role in health and disease prevention. Several animal studies have even found that kefir may protect against obesity.
In one recent 2017 study, feeding kefir to obese mice helped reduce body fat and inhibit fat cell formation. Another animal study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research reported that supplementation with kefir stimulated fat breakdown and blocked the formation of new fat cells.
Highly versatile and full of flavor, there are many ways to enjoy kefir. Try adding it to smoothies, salad dressings, or even homemade ice cream to boost the powerful probiotic and fat-burning properties of your foods.
4. Chili Peppers
If you’re familiar with the fiery sensation you feel after taking a big bite of something spicy, you have capsaicin to thank. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in foods like chili peppers, and it’s responsible for putting the heat in your favorite spicy dishes. It’s also responsible for the natural fat-burning abilities of spicy foods like chili peppers.
According to one review from Manchester Metropolitan University, capsaicin can help decrease appetite, reduce belly fat, and increase energy expenditure by about 50 calories per day. Another study in PLoS One showed that capsaicin consumption could promote fat burning as well.
To take advantage of the fat-busting abilities of capsaicin, try adding fresh or powdered chili peppers to dips, sauces, soups, and salsas for an extra dose of flavor and health benefits.
5. Olive Oil
As one of the staples of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is well known for its health-boosting benefits. And in addition to supporting heart health, olive oil can also promote fat burning and enhance weight loss.
A study in the British Journal of Nutrition, for example, compared the effects of olive oil and cream on postmenopausal women and reported that olive oil was more effective in promoting fat breakdown and increasing energy expenditure.
To incorporate more olive oil into your diet, drizzle a bit over salads, cooked vegetables, or pasta dishes to boost the fat-burning benefits of your meals.
6. Greek Yogurt
Although it may be primarily known for its high protein content and its ability to keep you feeling full, Greek yogurt is also great when it comes to naturally burning fat. Greek yogurt is an excellent source of conjugated linoleic acid, a type of fatty acid found in dairy products that can aid in shedding stubborn fat.
One study out of Norway showed that conjugated linoleic acid helped significantly decrease body fat. Another study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that supplementing with conjugated linoleic acid for one year reduced body fat mass while simultaneously increasing lean body mass.
Be sure to opt for organic, full-fat Greek yogurt made from grass-fed dairy to maximize the health benefits of your yogurt. Additionally, go for an unsweetened variety and add your choice of fresh fruit or raw honey to naturally sweeten it up and avoid extra calories.
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