All of us dream to eat as much as we can and yet stay skinny. This dream may come true after all. Superfoods are foods that make it possible for you to eat and lose the spare fat around your belly.

We spoke to nutritionist Raneem Abdulmajeed who listed for our readers the best foods that burn stomach fat. “You need to boost your metabolism, some foods have a very high thermogenic effect, this helps you burn calories as you chew,” Raneem said. “Other foods contain nutrients and compounds that stoke your metabolic fire,” she added.

Green tea:

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports, drinking three to four cups of green tea a day can help you lose more than three kilos in two months. Green tea is rich in antioxidants that have been proven to speed metabolism. Try not to go for the bottled tea and reach for the steep teabag. To up your intake, keep a jug of lemon iced tea in the fridge.

Hot chili pepper:

Many use chili peppers in their detox drinks because it is the one spice that will make you shed weight by heating up the body and literally melting the calories. Eat it raw, dry, powdered or cooked, its beauty is that it never looses its benefit one way or the other. Add as much as you want of cayenne pepper or hot sauce on your soup, meat or even lemon water.

Whole grains:

The human body burns double the calories when breaking down whole foods. The body loves foods that are rich in fiber such as oatmeal and brown rice more than processed foods. It is good to choose the right kind of carbs along with whole grains — their fiber keeps you from getting hungry. Several brands of bread found in supermarkets are labeled wheat but are devoid of all fiber and nutrients, so instead, search for whole grain or a 100 percent whole wheat bread.

Lentils:

Lentil soup is not only delicious but knowing that only one-cup holds almost 35 percent of your daily iron needs makes the soup more attractive. Lentil will make you feel satiated for a very long time and this is why many people have it for dinner, especially in Ramadan.

Lean meat and fish:

Protein offers a very high thermogenic effect; you get to burn around 30 percent of the calories your food contains when it is working on its digestion. The human body burns more digesting protein than carbs or fat. Choose white meat and strip it down of its fats, but to really cut down even more on saturated fat, go for fish such as tuna and salmon; they are full of omega-3, which helps prevent stress chemicals that promote fat abs.

Green vegetables:

Green leaves and other vegetables are full of vitamins, fiber, minerals and water, they will not only benefit your whole body but they will keep you full. Vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are filled with fiber and contain very few calories. It is recommended to start your meal with a salad and you will be satisfied with smaller portions after it. Iceberg lettuce offers almost no fiber. Make sure to stack your salad bowl with romaine lettuce, arugula, kale or spinach instead.

Low-fat dairy:

Dairy is rich in calcium and vitamin D, which help preserve and build muscle mass— essential for maintaining a robust metabolism. Calcium helps break down fat and may even prevent it from forming. Make sure to take your daily dairy intake to make your skin, hair, bones and smile better. Parmesan cheese is a low-calorie rich treat that helps activate the body’s fat-burning hormones. This happens because this cheese is higher on protein than any other dairy product and will keep you full for a longer time.

Nuts:

Snacking might be one of our favorite things to do, but choosing the right snack is the key. Nuts not only make a good snack but they are also a great add-on to your daily meals such as pasta, cereals, oatmeal and more. They will help you slim your belly by keeping you full for a long time. A Purdue University study concluded that people who ate nuts felt full longer than those who ate rice cakes. Stick to 24 almonds a day to satisfy your hunger pangs without overloading on calories.

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