Processed foods just won't do when it comes to successful weight loss. As part of a real-food diet—which eliminates all added sugar, refined carbs, salt, additives, and preservatives—it's important to apply the correct balance to your meal plan.
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Part of that balance includes foods that will work double-time. They're not only delicious and hearty additions to your meals, but they increase fat burning, helping you reach your goals even more efficiently. To get started, add these foods to your daily diet to see real results, fast:
Artichokes
Artichokes, one of the best superfoods out there, contain inulin, which is a type of carbohydrate that has been shown to decrease the hunger hormone ghrelin.
Cayenne
Cayenne heats up the body and is thought to increase metabolism. Chili pepper has a similar effect, and both spices are some of the top libido-boosting foods, so add a few extra shakes to your dinner plate.
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Cinnamon
According to recent research, consuming as little as a ¼ tsp of cinnamon with food helps the body metabolize sugar 20 times faster and lowers blood sugar levels. This means faster weight loss.
Ginger
A natural way to ease motion sickness, ginger has also been found to increase feelings of satiety so you're less likely to indulge those mid-afternoon craving.
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Seaweed
The property in seaweed that helps us lose weight is alginate, which lines the walls of the digestive system and prevents dietary fat from passing through. Make this healthy food taste good by adding it to salads, wraps, or snacking on it like chips.
Tea
The caffeine in tea stimulates thermogenesis, the biochemical process by which fat in the body is burned to produce energy. Tea also contains an antioxidant called EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) that helps burn fat.