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13 comfort foods that burn fat

They're called "comfort" foods for a reason—they bring back warm memories, tickle your taste buds, and soothe your soul. Though some comfort foods are deep-fried, covered in cheese, or packed with sugar, some can actually help you lose weight. Beat the battle of the bulge with the following cozy eats.

Health.com: Best Superfoods for Weight Loss

Hot chocolate

Cocoa is packed with antioxidants, which reduce your levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that causes your body to cling to belly fat. In fact, one Cornell University study found that the concentration of antioxidants in hot chocolate is up to five times greater than it is in black tea. Hot chocolate's combination of carbs and protein can also help your muscles recover faster from a tough workout, according to research in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Adding a dash of cinnamon boosts your treat's health benefits even more—it contains compounds that keep insulin out of the blood stream and from storing fat, says Gidus.

Try this recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate

Collard greens

A single serving of this hearty veggie adds up to a mere 46 calories. A serving also packs more than your daily-recommended doses of vitamins A and K, which can strengthen your immune system for a healthy metabolism, says Jonny Bowden, a nutritionist and the author of The 150 Healthiest Comfort Foods on Earth. Plus, a cup of collard greens contain 7.6 grams of belly-filling fiber. Research from the US Department of Agriculture shows that eating fiber-rich foods can lower your body's absorption of calories from carbs.

Try this recipe: Collard Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Bacon, and Mushrooms

Chicken noodle soup

"People who eat a broth- or vegetable-based soup before their meal consume fewer calories overall," says Rania Batayneh, nutritionist and author of The One One One Diet. "The water in the soup helps fill you up and boosts satiety, and just the act of eating soup helps slow your eating down so that your body has time to notice feelings of fullness." One Penn State study found that people who ate soup before digging into their entrees reduced their total calorie intake by 20 percent. Plus, chicken noodle varieties pack the protein, vitamins, and fiber you need to rev your metabolism even after your meal.

Try this recipe: Chicken Stock and Chicken Noodle Soup

Coffee

Your old friend joe can boost more than your mood. It can also boost your metabolism, thanks to a healthy dose of the antioxidant chlorogenic acid (CGA), which increases your body's use of fat for energy, Bowden says. Research has also shown that the chemical compound can slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream after a meal while lowering insulin resistance to prevent weight gain. Opt for the strong stuff: Several recent studies have found that caffeine in small doses before exercise can improve performance and help your muscles recover in record time.

Try this recipe: Bethenny's Cinnamon Spice Coffee

Health.com: 12 Surprising Sources of Caffeine

Pot roast

The moment protein passes your lips, it starts fighting fat. Your body has to work harder to break down protein and use it for energy, which means you burn more calories as you digest it, Gidus says. It also takes more time to leave your stomach, literally keeping your belly fuller for longer. In one study published in the journal Nutrition Metabolism, dieters who increased their protein intake to 30 percent of their total diet ate about 450 fewer calories a day. Over 12 weeks, that equals 11 pounds lost—without doing anything else!

Try this recipe: Braised Roast with Root Vegetables

Oatmeal

One cup of warm, gooey oatmeal contains 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein, a combination that slows the digestion of carbs, reduces your insulin response, and keeps you fuller for longer, says Batayneh. In fact, a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated 38 common foods and found that oatmeal was the third most filling. When possible, opt for steel-cut oatmeal, which goes through less processing than other varieties and as a result has a lower Glycemic Index score, a measurement of how much a food increases your blood sugar.

Try this recipe: Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Salted Caramel Topping

Roasted carrots

As a side or mixed in with your favorite meats, the high water and fiber content in carrots fills you up fast. Roast them for a better calorie burn: University of Arkansas researchers found that carrots roasted at 104 degrees contain three times as many antioxidants as raw carrots.

Try this recipe: Roasted Baby Carrots with Fresh Thyme

Red wine

In addition to being a heart helper, red wine may be a weapon against excess weight. A 2009 report from the University of Ulm in Germany suggests that resveratrol—the renowned antioxidant found in grape skins—inhibits the production of fat cells. What's more, a substance found naturally in red wine called calcium pyruvate helps fat cells burn more energy, says Gidus. Meanwhile, in a 2011 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, women who had one or two drinks a day were 30 percent less likely to gain weight than teetotalers. So drink up, but stick to just one glass—each 6-ounce serving contains about 150 calories.

Try: The Best Red Wines Under $10

Pumpkin

Don't let the pies fool you. One cup of this good-for-you gourd contains a mere 46 calories and 3 grams of fiber, according to the USDA. Plus, pumpkin is an excellent source of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which fights the oxidative stress and inflammation in the body that's linked to increased fat storage, Gidus says.

Try this recipe: Pumpkin Ravioli

Chili

If soup is filling and protein builds muscle, then chili has all that and more. The combination of the fiber from the tomatoes and the protein from the beans and beef and prevents overeating. Plus, capsaicin, the compound that gives cayenne, chili peppers, and jalapeños their heat, can also torch fat, says weight-loss specialist and board-certified internist Dr. Sue Decotiis. Spices trigger your sympathetic nervous system—which is responsible for both the fight-or-flight response and spice-induced sweating—to increase your daily calorie burn by about 50 calories, she says. That equals about 5 pounds lost over a single year.

Try this recipe: Chili from Scratch

Chickpeas

Whether you call them garbanzos or chickpeas, a half-cup serving of these hearty legumes provides about 40 percent of your daily protein needs and 70 percent of your daily fiber intake, helping to stabilize blood sugar, control cravings, and prevent overeating, Gidus says. They're also a great source healthy unsaturated fats that can whittle your waistline. A 2009 study from the University of Newcastle in Australia found that participants who consumed the most unsaturated fats had lower body mass indexes and less belly fat than those who consumed the least.

Try this recipe: Cumin-Spiced Chickpeas

Roasted potatoes

Spuds don't have a waist-friendly reputation, but they're actually full of nutrients, Gidus says. "White foods contain the disease-fighting chemical allicin," she says. "This chemical, also present in garlic, has been shown to fight inflammation in the body, contributing to smaller waistlines." Plus, research shows that calorie for calorie, white potatoes are more satisfying than any other tested food.

Try this recipe: Garlicky Roasted Potatoes with Herbs

Mashed sweet potatoes

Eating sweet potatoes can prevent sugar from getting stored around your waistline as fat. How? Sweet potatoes are rich in carotenoids—the orange and yellow pigments in plants that help the body respond to insulin—as well as CGA (also found in coffee). Carotenoids and CGA slow the body's release of glucose and insulin, says Bowden. Plus, sweet potatoes are filled with fiber, which slows digestion and prevents blood sugar from plummeting—and your hunger from spiking.

Try this recipe: Maple-Pecan Sweet Potato Mash

PLUS: 25 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/10/05/13-comfort-foods-that-burn-fat/

Sidestep the Temptations—12 Tricks to Help You Eat Less and Lose Weight

       Sometimes we all need a little help cutting back on calories—try these tips!

Eating too much. Gaining too much weight. Worrying about diabetes and heart disease. A lot of us are super stressed about the numbers on the scale and what they mean for our quality of life.

Yet trying to lose weight can be difficult, especially once we’ve passed a certain age. Stress, changing hormones, lack of exercise, and pressure at work can all sabotage even the best-laid plans.

We all need a little help now and then in staying on track with our weight loss goals. Here are ten tips to try to avoid those devilish temptations, and eat less!

10 Tips to Help You Cut Back on Calories

Whether your weakness is late-night snacking, sugar, fatty foods, or salty snacks, there are ways to trick your brain into eating less. Here are ten to try:

1. Use smaller plates. A full small plate looks the same to your brain as a full large plate, but you’ll eat less. Use small dishes for snacks as well, rather than eating directly out of the bag—pour some in a small bowl and stop when it’s gone. It’s best to also make sure that the plate is a different color than the food—a white bowl for tomato soup, for instance. Different colors help you better determine healthy serving portions.
2. Think skinny. If you’re having a cocktail or a fancy dessert, use a tall, skinny glass. They typically hold less than shorter, wider versions, yet they look like they hold a lot, so they may fool you into feeling satisfied with less.
3. Eat with skinny friends. Studies show we are influenced by others when we eat. Surrounding yourself with others who don’t over-indulge can help you do the same.
4. Keep healthy snacks visible. If you have a bowl of chocolate at your desk or at home on the counter, you’re likely to eat it. Fill these bowls with fruit and other healthy, lower-calorie snacks instead.
5. Get the serving dish off the counter. Studies show that people eat up to 30 percent more when the serving dish is left on the table. Once you’ve served up the food on the plates, remove the dish.
6. But keep the bones in sight. People ate fewer chicken wings when they could see the bones of those they’d already eaten then if the bones were taken away. (But it’s best to try not to eat chicken wings! LOL)
7. Turn down the lights. Studies show that people eat more slowly—and eat fewer calories—when they eat in a relaxed, low-lit setting with some soft music playing. Bright lights and rock music leads to eating more. Try a softer bulb or some candles.
8. Pump up the volume. One study showed that volume can affect how satisfied we feel after a snack. Even though three cups of popcorn and one slice of whole wheat bread may have the same number of calories, you’re likely to feel more full and satisfied after the three cups of popcorn, simply because it takes up more space.
9. Cut up your food. This is related to the volume idea—you’ll feel like you’re getting more if you take more bites. Don’t forget to chew each one thoroughly and put your fork down between bites.
10. Hang a mirror in the kitchen. It will help remind you of your goals every time you’re tempted to reach for just a little more food.
11. Have dessert in the morning. A study by the Tel Aviv University found that dieters who ate a small dessert with breakfast, such as a square of chocolate, a donut, or a cookie—lost an average of nearly 40 pounds more than the ones who avoided sweets.
12. Forget about exercise. A Cornell University Study found that thinking about your upcoming workout can make you hungry, and resulted in people snacking 55 percent more than when their thoughts were focused elsewhere. Do your exercise, but then forget about it!

http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2013/07/17/sidestep-the-temptations-12-tricks-to-help-you-eat-less-and-lose-weight

Foods That Lead to a Faster Metabolism

When reaching your weight loss goals, you realize it is important to burn more calories than you take in. Certain foods can give you a faster metabolism to help you burn excess calories more effectively, especially when used in connection with a low carb diet or a low fat diet.

low carb diet

Source by : wikimedia

Water

Staying properly hydrated is key to a faster metabolism. When you are dehydrated, it slows down body functions, including metabolism. Although any unsweetened beverage will work, water is always the best choice because it cleans the body and helps carry away toxins as well. Also, drinking a glass of cold water is believed to raise metabolism slightly as your body works to warm the cold water to the body’s temperature.

Water droplet blue

Source by : wikimedia

Lean Meats

Foods that are high in protein and low in fat, such as lean meats, make your metabolism faster because proteins take a lot of effort to break down and be used by the body. Proteins also build muscle, and more muscle mass has been linked to higher metabolism. Used in conjunction with a low carb diet, lean meats help burn more calories with increased metabolism.

chicken Meat

Source by : wikipedia

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers, such as chili peppers, contain a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin has many benefits for the body, such as helping to reduce pain and inflammation, and can also raise metabolism slightly for a brief time. By eating hot peppers more frequently, this metabolism raising effect can last a little longer.

Chili pepper

Source by : wikimedia

Salmon

Salmon and other cold water, fatty fish have high levels of protein. These fish also contain omega-3 essential fatty acids which are important for many body functions. They help by making you feel full for longer, which will help you eat less. Omega-3s can also help lower certain hormones that make you think you are hungry, which also adds to the feeling of fullness.

Salmon sashimi

Source by : wikimedia

Tea

Teas, especially green tea and oolong tea, contain caffeine and special chemicals called catechins. These chemicals can actually raise metabolism with benefits that can last as long as a couple hours. Many teas also offer other health benefits as well.

Tea

Source by : wikimedia

When you are watching what you eat for a weight loss program. try adding some of these foods that help raise metabolism. Not only will you be getting good nutrition, but you could enhance your weight loss efforts in the process.

http://www.dahealthguide.com/foods-that-lead-to-a-faster-metabolism.html