Introduction
If you’re a guy who’s looking to lose a few pounds simply by adding a handful of certain foods to your diet, then you’re in luck, because in this very article I’ll tell you how to do just that.
The reality is, though, that there technically aren’t any specific foods that allow men to lose weight faster or differently than women per se, but by being a guy you already have a head start simply because of muscle composition and hormonal differences. So, all things being equal, you’re already at a slight advantage by virtue of just being a dude. Awesome.
A List of the Best Natural Fat-Burning Foods
Here’s a list of foods (in no particular order) that I regularly recommend to help kick-start your metabolism and obliterate fat cells. By incorporating as many of these items into your diet that you can you’ll be looking and feeling better in no time, with more energy to boot.
1. Cinnamon
Studies have shown that the active compound in cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, may actually help burn visceral fat, which is linked to higher rates of heart disease and diabetes. Add 1/4 teaspoon to coffee, tea or other beverage throughout the day for maximum benefits.
2. Apples
This tasty fruit contains pectin, which removes fat and inhibits it’s absorption by cells, and also polyphenols, which help boost the metabolism. The benefits of eating this tasty fruit are far too numerous to list, but the old adage is true about one a day keeping the doctor away.
3. Lemons
This sour fruit has been shown to significantly suppresses weight gain, fat accumulation, excess fat in the bloodstream, high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. For best results, squeeze a whole lemon into a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning. This not only helps with weight loss but also is a great liver cleanser.
4. Green tea
Not only does green tea help burn calories by it’s caffeine content, but it also contains antioxidants called catechins which have been shown to increase the body’s metabolic fat-burning process. Try to drink several cups throughout the day to enjoy the most benefits.
5. Yogurt
The high levels of calcium found in yogurt help prevent calories from being stored as fat, and the probiotics it contains even help prevent the absorption of fat.
6. Hot Peppers
Mouth-scorching peppers such as Chilli and Cayenne contain a compound called capsaicin which gives them that spicy-hot flavor. It’s been shown that by incorporating these into your diet you can melt an extra 50-100 calories from each meal.
7. Coffee
That cup of joe is more than just a tasty pick-me-up beverage, it can also temporarily increase the metabolism by up to 15%, as well as energize the process of breaking down fat cells. Don’t overdo it though, consuming too much coffee can lead to unwanted negative side effects.
8. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has fantastic thermogenic properties, with one study finding that the medium-chain fatty acids it contains actually boosted the metabolism of obese subjects by 48-65%. It’s also a great food for heart health and it lowers the glycemic effect of carbohydrates. Make sure you get virgin coconut oil, not the processed crap.
You can bake or fry with it, try substituting butter for it, or even have a spoonful by mouth. I normally hate the taste of coconut, but the oil’s flavor is very light and pleasant.
To really get the metabolism up in the morning, add a tablespoon (with your cinnamon!) to hot coffee, shake well and enjoy.
9. Avocados
Despite it’s high heart-healthy fat content, avocados actually encourage fat burning by turning off the body’s fat storage hormones. Because of their smooth and creamy texture and mild flavor, you can add avocado to many foods, from scrambled eggs and salads, to sandwiches and tac0s.
10. Blueberries
Blueberries have been shown to reduce fat accumulation by up to 73%, lower cholesterol and improve insulin sensitivity. Try to eat two servings of this antioxidant superfood per day – you’ll be glad that you did.
Conclusion
Once again, try to get as many of these items as possible into your daily diet and you’ll undoubtedly be very surprised at the results you achieve. And for those of you who might need a little extra help, you may need to check out my list of fat burning pills for men.
Do you have anything to add? I’d love to know your thoughts. Feel free to leave a review or comment below.
Mark McIntyre is the founder of MaleHealthReview.com and acts as it’s chief contributor. He is a fitness trainer and avid mountain biker who also enjoys camping, hiking and fishing. Besides managing Male Health Review, Mark is also a guest columnist for several blogs related to men’s health. More about this author…
