29 Foods That Help Burn Abdominal Fat

What foods should you eat if you want to burn excess abdominal fat? Below you find a list of some of the best foods for burning abdominal fat. No pills, just pure, healthy foods that can help burn belly fat.

#1: Romaine Lettuce

Lettuce is a low calorie food that can be used as a basis for light, delectable salads. But it does not always have to be iceberg lettuce! Romaine lettuce offers a multitude of benefits to anyone wishing speed weight loss and trim the tummy. In addition to being extremely low in calories, it is supercharged with many important nutrients. It is a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin K, folate, and manganese. It is also one of the best dietary sources of chromium.

Research suggests that chromium may help increase and maintain lean body mass and aid in fat loss, when combined with exercise. These effects of chromium on body composition are believed to result from its ability to enhance insulin's activity and to improve insulin sensitivity in the body. The absorption of chromium from romaine lettuce is believed to be particularly good because of the vitamin C it contains. Vitamin C in romaine is known to enhance the absorption of chromium.

Note: Be sure to wash your romaine lettuce thoroughly under running water. Romaine lettuce has been listed as one of the foods that have a relatively high risk of E. coli contamination.

#2: Water

Although not a food, water is included in this list of superfoods for a slimmer waistline because of its amazing properties. Water provides no calories but can increase the feeling of fullness.

Water provides no calories but can increase the feeling of fullness.

In fact, it has been suggested that drinking large volumes of ice-cold water could actually burn calories. This is because ice water needs to be warmed to body temperature when it enters the body, which requires energy (calories). Consuming 2 liters of ice water a day would result in roughly 70 extra calories burned. Furthermore, staying well hydrated encourages the body to use the kidneys, rather than the liver, for eliminating waste products. One of the liver's main functions is the conversion of energy from stored body fat. If the liver does not have to focus on eliminating waste products, it can concentrate on mobilizing body fat.

#3: Grapefruit

Many people have long touted grapefruit for its ability to shed off excess pounds. Now, there's also scientific proof for this: A study conducted at the Scripps Clinic in La Jolla in 2004 found that eating half a grapefruit before a meal can indeed help people lose weight. The researchers compared the effect of grapefruit capsules, grapefruit juice and real grapefruit. While all three helped, the weight loss was most pronounced among those who were eating the real grapefruit. The mechanism by which grapefruit may aid weight loss, however, is not fully understood.

#4: Cayenne and chili peppers

Good news for salsa and chili sauce lovers: several studies suggest that capsaicin, the major pungent ingredient in cayenne and chili peppers, can increase the body's heat production (thermogenesis), thereby increasing the rate at which the body burns carbohydrates and fats. One study showed that capsaicin in hot chilis could increase the resting metabolic rate (the rate at which the body burns carbohydrates and fats at rest) by up to 25%. The effects on the metabolic rate peaked at 75 to 90 minutes after the consumption of the capsaicin and lasted for up to three hours. Furthermore, research suggests that capsaicin can suppress appetite and reduce the amount of calories consumed during subsequent meals: In one trial, half of the subjects were given tomato juice with chili powder, while the rest drank it plain. Those who received the drink containing the capsaicin consumed 16% fewer calories on average.

#5: Ginger Root

Ginger root, one of the oldest spices in the world, is known to have been used in China as early as 400 B.C. Although best known for its cold treating powers, ginger root can also be an excellent weight loss aid and is in fact found in many weight loss supplements. Ginger root has appetite suppressing qualities, and it has been shown to rev up the metabolism. In one animal study, ginger increased the metabolism 20 percent. In addition, some evidence suggests that ginger may also be effective at enhancing insulin sensitivity. Fresh ginger, which is said to be the most effective form of ginger, is available year round in the produce section of supermarkets.

#6: White Kidney Beans

Beans are wonderfully versatile legumes that come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Yet, they are all tasty and highly nutritious. They are also an excellent food to eat on a regular basis if you are looking to trim your belly. While being low in calories and fat, they are packed with protein and fiber. Further, recent research suggests that a certain enzyme present in white kidney beans (also known as cannellini beans) can inhibit the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates in the intestines. This is of course great news for those who tend to gain extra belly fat when consuming lots of carbs.If your diet is currently low in beans, it is best to add them gradually as they may initially cause intestinal gas.

#7: Tiger Nuts

Also known as chufa, tiger nuts are one of the best natural sources of oleic acid, a type of fatty acid that converts into oleoylethanolamide (OEA) when it reaches the small intestine. OEA has been shown to suppress appetite by stimulating a brain area that increases the feeling of satiety. In addition, there have been a couple of studies that have directly investigated the weight loss effects of tiger nuts. In one such study, a defatted tiger nut supplement was found to reduce body weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. In another study, daily consumption of tiger nuts was found to contribute to effective weight loss in obese diabetic women.

#7: Pine Nuts

Harvesting pine nuts (also known as piñon nuts) is a labor-intensive task and that is why these delicate, sweet buttery nuts are somewhat more expensive than other nuts. But if your budget allows it, don't hesitate to include these healthy, protein rich nuts in your flat abs diet. Pine nuts are known to contain endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) which have been shown to increase the feeling of fullness and to suppress appetite. Keep in mind, however, that pine nuts are very high in calories and should thus be consumed only in small quantities.

Oatmeal, rich in fiber and protein, is one of the most filling foods.

#8: Oatmeal

Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is a great way to start a day off right. Research shows that oats are among the most filling foods, and eating them early in the day can reduce the number of calories consumed throughout the rest of the day. This is not surprising as oats are an excellent source of protein and fiber—two macronutrients that are well known to enhance the feeling of satiety. In addition, oats are an excellent source of B vitamins and zinc.

#9: Chicken Breast

If you are concerned about belly fat, chicken breast is a good food to add to your shopping list. Skinless chicken breast packs a protein punch but has a very low fat and carbohydrate content. It is also a good source of B vitamins such as vitamin B3 and vitamin B6. Vitamin B3 may be particularly helpful to those whose expanding waistline is linked to insulin resistance. Vitamin B6, on the other hand, is necessary for the proper absorption of zinc, another important fat loss nutrient.