PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL -- Diets for losing weight abound, but just about all of them require you to cut the calories and add exercise. But what if you could melt away flab by eating certain foods? Oh, please let it be true. Are there really certain foods you can eat that will boost your metabolism to high speed and burn calories like a locomotive burns fuel?
Sandy Livingston, Nutritionist: "There are some foods that might spark a little bit of discussion, that might raise metabolism a little bit."
First, what about cinnamon? Researchers say it helps blood sugar get into cells to be used for energy, thus less is stored as fat.
Sandy says, "One would have to take a concentrated form of cinnamon to be of much use, like in a cinnamon capsule. Sprinkling it on food isn't usually going to be quite enough."
Second, green tea. Caffeine is said to be a stimulant that raises your heart rate and green tea also has catechins, a substance that experts believe help burn belly fat.
"This powerful combination can raise metabolism by as much as 35-percent over a twenty-four hour period," Sandy says. "However, to achieve that goal, you'd have to drink three strong cups of green tea a day."
Fat burner number three: Yogurt. Dairy has a bad rep for high calories but can the active bacteria reduce the fat your body absorbs?
"I'm not sure about that." says Sandy. "But we do know, researchers have shown that calcium rich foods reduce fat producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown."
Do you like spicy foods? You're in luck. Chilies are fat burner number four. They are loaded with a compound called capsaicin.
According to Sandy, "Yes, capsaicin has a thermagenic effect, which means it will actually raise your body temperature as well as raising your body's metabolism."
And fat-burner number five: Chicken, fish and soy. Can lots of lean protein keep you lean?
Sandy's final assessment: "The Atkins and South Beach diets have been very popular with that premise, however a lot of that is based on using fat stores for energy by keeping your carbohydrates low."
Sandy says a better bet might be whole grains and other complex carbohydrates. It's best to stay away from the white flour and white sugar.
