5 Foods That Burn Fat

Dan Myers|Sept. 15, 2014 3:27 pm EST

It may seem counterintuitive, but there are actually some foods out there that can help burn fat. While there's no "miracle food" that you can simply eat and lose weight, some foods require more energy to digest, others stimulate certain hormones that cause our metabolism to speed up, and others change our body temperature, which makes our bodies burn more energy stabilizing it. Here are five of those foods.

Celery
Celery contains cellulose, which gives it the rope-like texture that makes it tough to chew. Because this vegetable requires a lot of energy to chew and move through the digestive system, we may burn more calories eating and digesting it than it contains.

Egg Whites
Egg whites are extremely low in fat and calories and high in protein. Our bodies love protein, the building blocks of all cells and tissues, foods that are high in protein and low in fat, like egg whites, speed up your metabolism and increase calorie burn.

Chili Peppers
Chili peppers contain dihydrocapsiate (DCT), a compound which research shows increases the temperature of the body, thereby causing a thermogenic boost that burns even more calories. Thermogenesis is a natural process the body undergoes to burn stored fat. With a little added spice, the thermogenesis process becomes stronger and we burn more calories. Hot peppers also speed up heart rate, which can result in greater calorie burning.

Beans
Beans and legumes are very high in fiber. High-fiber foods make us feel full for longer and can also take longer to digest than other foods. The consequence? We are inclined to eat less, which naturally results in the consumption of fewer calories.

Chia
Chia seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, and protein. When you mix chia seeds with water, they gel and make you feel fuller. Additionally, chia seeds regulate insulin, preventing insulin resistance and sugar spikes. Finally, omega-3s turn on glycogen, a fat-burning hormone. Omega-3s also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps alleviate the symptoms ofmetabolic disorders.