Sounds pretty counterproductive doesn’t it? If you want to decrease your body fat, why in the world would you include fat in your weight loss diet plan? Well, there are certain fats that are ‘healthy’ fats, and they can actually ramp up your body’s fat burning ability and not only help you burn fat…but burn it faster! By replacing refined carbohydrates and sugars with this healthy fat, you can help your body to actually tap into those stored excess body fat reserves (your problem areas) and use it as an energy source. Here’s the breakdown:
Although fat contains more calories than protein or carbohydrates, the secret is in what fats actually do when they enter your body that makes the difference. Saturated and trans fats, especially when combined with high carbs will pile on the pounds. If you are already on a fat loss plan and trying to lose weight, you should know that there is a two step process involved in fat burning:
First, cutting down on carbohydrates ( Not eliminating them all together ) will release you from the grip of the ‘fat storing’ monster. Controlling carbs allows your body to return to its natural ability to burn fat. This is the first part of the process. As long as you are controlling your carbohydrate intake the calories from fat are immediately used for energy (which means they won’t be stored).
Now, the next part involves the fat you are consuming. Trans fat, found in pre-packaged foods and baked goods, and anything deep fried should be avoided like the plague ( so should everything else on this Top 5 Foods to Avoid if You want 6 Pack Abs article ). Anything with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil is a pound packer. So, what fats will assist the fat burning process?
Sounds like a tongue-twister, but here are the healthy fats that are beneficial:
We all have heard about Omega 3s ability to ward off diseases, but foods rich in this fat triggers the body and tells it to produce leptin. Leptin is great for appetite suppression, which will help to keep your portions smaller, but leptin also revs up your thyroid output, so, it speeds up your metabolism.
What foods are rich in Omega 3s? Brazil nuts, tuna, salmon, flaxseed, walnuts, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
CLA works to lower your triglycerides, cholesterol, and simultaneously revs your metabolism. The Food Research Institute of the University of Wisconsin, conducted studies that linked CLA to the improvement of your entire body composition by busting through fat faster while still preserving lean muscles and assisting with lean muscle gain.
What foods are rich in CLA? Organic beef, turkey, eggs, chicken and certain mushrooms.
Not only are MCTs great for your female fitness program, but they also have anti-aging properties. Foods rich in MCTs suppress the appetite, so you’ll consume less, and MCTs contain fewer calories than other fats.
Wait! There’s more…MCTs are minimally stored as fat on the body, they provide energy that people involved in weight loss programs often lack, and MCTs are absorbed by the body more quickly than other fats, so they immediately can be used for fuel. Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. MCTs are an absolute powerhouse of benefits!
What foods are rich in MCTs? Palm kernel oil, coconut oil, raw grass-fed goat and cow butter.
With this information, you can start thinking about fat a little differently. Certainly, there are fats to avoid, but now you have a list of healthy fats that will aide in your fat loss program!
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