"Berta approved" Fat Burning Foods!

Did you know...

that that some foods really do help burn fat? Food has what is called a "thermic effect." The thermic effect refers to the amount of energy the body must expend to break down the food so can be utilized to fuel the body. As you know, we expend energy every moment we are alive, whether we're contracting our muscles to breath or digesting our food to acquire energy. Since excess fat is really only stored energy, you might find some solace in looking at your extra weight as evidence that you are highly efficient at storing energy! Anyway, to get rid of that energy, you have to burn more calories than you took in-a simple concept, but not always an easy one to put into practice. So, why not try to start today and help the process along? I'll tell you how! Protein requires the greatest amount of energy to process; protein causes your body to burn hotter, and that helps you burn more calories. To put this in prospective, after eating protein, your metabolic rate can rise as much as 30% above your resting metabolic rate. Dietary fats put you at about 2 or 3% above your resting metabolic rate, and carbohydrates are somewhere in between.

Obviously, we are wise to consume foods that require the most energy to process, and so our first choice should be the kinds of proteins that keep our bodies burning more energy all day long. Please be sure to choose proteins that are low in fat: cod, tuna, halibut and other beneficial animal proteins, such as organic chicken breast (skinless, of course). I always prefer fish over meat since the overall fat content is usually lower and the fat is healthier. It makes sense to go for the fish that is loaded with wonderful omega 3 fatty acids, as opposed to the meat that is high in saturated fats. Let's not forget all of the non-animal protein foods that are just as good, and in many cases much better than the animal proteins. These include beans: soy, lentils, and Lima beans, as well as many more. These are all high fiber proteins, making them another alternative to the meats that contain no fiber whatsoever. Keep on going for the tasty, high fiber, low fat proteins, and watch that fat melt away!

Now that you understand that high protein foods burn more fat than other foods, there is another interesting food fact. Some foods are known as "catabolic foods." These foods require more calories to process than they provide. Catabolic foods are the opposite of anabolic foods. For example, a medium apple (catabolic), provides an average of 85 calories; however, your metabolism would require and additional 99 calories to metabolize it. Thus, your body burns more calories than you are ingesting for an overall net loss!! So, to help your weight loss, you should eat about ten servings of catabolic foods each day. Then make sure to eat high quality proteins to burn even more fat. Seems simple, right?

Just make sure that you spread the wealth throughout the day; don't sit down and overeat at one sitting because the rules still apply! You need to eat smaller portions until you are a tiny bit less than satisfied, you must feel just a bit hungry right before you go to bed, and you must continue to drink plenty of water. So, incorporate the catabolic foods into your regular breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have them for your afternoon snack, as well. You don't have to worry about counting calories; as you know, I don't believe in doing so anyway, but in this case you already know that you will exert more energy burning them off than what they contain, so don't worry about it at all!

Below is a list of delicious catabolic foods that you can easily add to your daily meal plan.

Don't forget the low fat, high fiber proteins and every day will be the perfect weight loss day, with the added benefit of contributing to your improved health and the feeling of youthfulness.

High Grade Catabolic Foods:

Fruits!
Black/blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, plums, strawberries, lemons, raspberries, limes, pineapple, cantaloupe, watermelon, Bartlett pears, raspberries, and apples.

Vegetables!
Artichokes, parsley leaves, asparagus, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, celery, sweet potatoes, radishes, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, leeks (cooked), spinach, carrots, lettuce

So, there you have it. It all seems so simple in theory, right? Well, it is equally simple in practice! If you understand why you should choose differently, you will do so with the goal of making this journey that much easier, and faster. And who can complain about the side effects of better health and the feeling of rejuvenation that you will enjoy for years to come?

Take it a day at a time, and add some of these great, fat burning, energy-creating foods to your lives! You won't regret it!