Fat Burners – Foods, Diet Plan, Exercises & Side Effects

Fat burning plays a major role in any individual’s weight loss aspirations. While there are several fat burners one can turn to in order to achieve these goals, it is advised that they stick to natural sources. We discuss all you need to know about fat burners below.

Natural Fat Burners

However enticing it may seem, rapid fat burning is not healthy. It not only has several physical side effects but can affect a person mentally as well.

Data shows that people are likely to gain back the weight they lose through fast fat-burning techniques or food. This can affect one’s morale and esteem in more ways than one. The physical side effects of artificial fat burning will be later discussed in the article.

Let’s face it! Fat burning is a gradual and time involving process. Nonetheless, we can expedite it. The first way, of course, is exercising. There are a number of exercises that can speed up the process and help you get rid of your body fat faster.

The second is food. Yes, you read it right, adding a few items to your diet can help you shed a few inches. Furthermore, these natural means are more likely to last and even affect your overall health in a positive way. Read more to find out!

Fat Burning Foods

1. Apples

Nutritional value of a medium-sized apple (100 grams)

• Calories – 95
• Fiber – 4grams
• Carbohydrates – 25grams
• Protein – 0.3 grams
• Sugar – 10.4 grams
• Fat – 0.2 grams
• Vitamin C – 14 per cent of the RDI (Reference Daily Intake)
• Vitamin K – 5 per cent of the RDI
• Potassium – 6 per cent of the RDI
• Water – 86 per cent

Apples contain flavonoids, a natural chemical responsible for burning fat. According to a study published in 2017, researchers found a correlation between flavonoid intake and lower waist circumference and body mass index. Furthermore, apples are rich in a particular type of fibre called pectin that breaks down slowly and thus acts as a hunger suppressant. 

2. Brown rice

Nutritional value of 100 grams of brown rice

• Calories- 88 Kcal
• Carbs: 18.4 g
• Fibre: 0.8 g
• Fat: 0.7 g
• Protein: 1.9 g

If you’re a rice lover and it’s a part of your daily meal, you should consider having brown rice over the white one since it has less carb content, is low in calories and is enriched with essential nutrients like iron and potassium.

A study conducted by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2017 revealed that those who consumed a low-calorie diet lost more belly fat as compared to the ones who consumed refined grains. Furthermore, the manganese present in brown rice helps convert macronutrients present in the grain into energy. Thus having brown rice keeps you energetic and you lose a few additional calories.

3. Green Chilli

Nutritional Facts Per 100 grams

If you like spicing up your food with chillies, continue to do so. According to research done by Central Food Technological Research Institute India, chillies contain capsaicin- a chemical component that gives it the ‘hot’ factor and has fat-reducing properties.

According to the research, capsaicin increases the production and effect of obestatin- an appetite control hormone. As a result, you avoid overeating. Furthermore, chilli boost metabolism and thus helps the body burn excess fat.

4. Black Coffee

Nutritional value of an 8-ounce cup of black coffee:

• Fat – 0%
• Cholesterol – 0%
• Sodium – 0%
• Carbohydrates – 0%
• Sugar – 0%
• Potassium – 4%

Black coffee contains antioxidants, which help in the weight loss process. Being rich in caffeine helps in the stimulation of metabolic activity and increases your energy level, thereby suppressing hunger.

Black coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which helps to slow down glucose production in your body. This means that if you drink black coffee after a meal, then your body will produce less glucose and fat cells.

If you are taking black coffee for weight loss, it is important to note that you should drink it without any additives. This means no sugar, cream, milk, or any other added flavour. 

However, excessive coffee intake can mess up your sleeping routine. It is recommended that you avoid coffee a few hours before bedtime if you want to get a good night’s sleep.

5. Eggs

Nutritional value of one hard-boiled egg

• Calories – 77
• Protein – 6.3 grams 
• Total fat – 5.3 grams 
• Cholesterol – 187 milligrams 
• Sodium – 62 milligrams 
• Carbohydrates – 0.6 gram 
• Sugar – 1 gram 

Vitamins and Minerals (as per Recommended Daily Allowances) in a large boiled egg:

• Vitamin A – 6% of the RDA
• Folate – 5% of RDA
• Vitamin B5- 7% of RDA 
• Vitamin B12- 15% of RDA 
• Phosphorous – 9% of RDA 
• Selenium – 22% of RDA

Eggs are a crucial part of several popular diets, as it is full of nutrients. The best part about it is that they are excellent fat-burning foods. When you add eggs to your meal, you feel full for a couple of hours.

As a result, you consume a lower amount of calories, which in turn helps reduce body fat. Eggs contain protein, which is responsible for enhancing your metabolic rate. Eating an egg-based breakfast may stop a person from consuming extra calories throughout the day.

6. Fatty fish

Fish is a great source of heart-healthy lean protein. Fish like Mackerel and sardines have high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients aid in eliminating body fat, helping you lose weight faster.

The presence of high-quality protein makes you feel full for longer periods. Also, it improves your metabolic rate, which helps digest carbs and fat quickly.

Furthermore, fatty fish reduces the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Apart from mental agony, stress also causes fat build-up in the body. Thus, eating fish, not only accelerates fat burning but de-stresses you. 

Read about the best fish to eat and those to avoid and make an informed choice.

7. Green tea

Green tea is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that increase fat burning. This healthy beverage contains the antioxidant Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) which boosts metabolism.

EGCG also acts as an appetite suppressant and thus controls your calorie intake. Green Tea also contains a considerable amount of caffeine, a well-known stimulant that helps your body burn both fat and calories.

Avoid adding sweeteners (such as sugar, honey, milk or cream) to your green tea if you want to best reap its benefits. The effect of the antioxidants in green tea may be strengthened when its consumption is combined with exercise.

However, like any other food and beverage, excess green tea consumption has potential side effects. Read our article about the Potential Side Effects of Excess Green Tea. 

8. Olive oil

Out of all oils you can consume, olive oil is the healthiest. Cooking in olive oil increases HDL cholesterol while bringing down triglycerides. As a result, your body releases GLP-1, which helps you remain full for longer periods. Also, a study published in 2018 showed an increase in fat loss when consuming extra virgin olive oil. 

Fat Burning Diet Plan

Consuming natural fat burners can be crucial to weight loss. However, it is best to follow a particular diet plan in order to achieve your weight loss goals. That said, one must consult a nutritionist before choosing to follow any meal plan.

• Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
• For breakfast, have a bowl of oats porridge.
• Drink 3 cups of green tea spaced out through the day.
• Eat brown rice, cabbage sabzi, and rajma curry along with a bowl of carrot tomato onion salad for lunch.
• Have a bowl of steamed sprouts chat as an evening snack.
• For dinner, eat 2 multigrain rotis along with a katori of soyabean mushroom curry and a bowl of capsicum onion salad.

While a diet plan like this may help you burn fat over time, it is ideal to follow a balanced diet with more nutrients as per your requirements. Find the best Indian Diet Plan for weight loss here.

Fat Burning Recipes

Eating the right foods are key to burning fat in the body. Try the following delicious recipes and keep your weight loss journey going.

Steamed sprouts chat

Ingredients

• Moong beans, sprouted and steamed 1 cup
• Small or medium-sized onion, finely chopped 1
• Medium-sized tomato, finely chopped 1
• Green chilli, finely chopped 1 (optional)
• Red chilli powder ¼ tsp
• Chaat masala ½ or 1 tsp (optional)
• Lemon juice 1 tsp or as required
• 1 cucumber chopped
• Few coriander leaves and lemon slices for garnishing
• Rock salt or black salt to taste

Preparation

1. Mix all the ingredients listed above, except salt and lemon juice, with sprouted beans in a bowl.
2. Season with salt, and lemon juice and garnish with lemon slices and coriander leaves just before serving.

Oats porridge

Ingredients

• Oats – one-third cup
• 1 cup water
• Half cup low-fat milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 pinch salt
• Half apple, half sliced and half chopped
• 1 tsp honey
• 5 almonds, chopped

Preparation

1. In a deep pot, add oats along with water, milk, salt, and cinnamon.
2. Begin to boil the mixture and then simmer it for about 5-6 minutes with occasional stirring.
3. Add the chopped apples and cook for another couple of minutes till the oatmeal is thick and creamy, and the apples have slightly softened.
4. Remove the mixture to a serving bowl. Top it with the remaining apple slices, slivered almonds, and a drizzle of honey

Fat Burning Exercises

While consuming fat-burning foods, supplements, and fruits, you need to complement it with exercise. Given below are a handful of different movements you must practice every day:

1. Bear crawl

Although it looks like a simple exercise, it works on your entire body. 

1. You need to go down on all fours, without your knees or elbows touching the ground. 
2. Start walking forward and backwards for one minute.
3. Make sure your back is straight at all times.

2. Goblet squat

It is an exercise where you don’t place immense pressure on your back. As a result, it focuses on your thighs, which helps burn fat. 

1. Hold a kettle ball with two hands and go into the squat position. 
2. Do ten reps every minute and ensure your back is straight.

3. Jump rope

Jump rope is a high-intensity workout which will make sure you work up a sweat quickly. You need to skip over a rope for two minutes straight to start burning the fat.

4. Vertical Leg Crunch

1. Lie flat on the floor with legs extended upwards and then one knee crossed over the other.
2. Breathe in and then lift the upper body towards the pelvis. Breathe out slowly.
3. Do 12-16 crunches in two or three sets.

5. Bicycle exercise

1. Lie on the mat or on the floor and keep your hands either behind your head or by your side just like you would for crunches. 
2. Lift both your legs off the ground and bend them at the knees. 
3. Bring the right knee close to the chest while keeping the left leg down. 
4. Take the right leg down and bring the left leg towards the chest. 
5. Alternate bending the knees as if you are using a bicycle.

6. Crunches

1. Start by lying down flat with your knees bent and your feet on the ground. 
2. Lift your hands and then place them behind the head or keep them crossed on the chest. Inhale deeply.
3. As you lift the upper torso off the floor, you should exhale. Again inhale when you get back down and then exhale as you come up.
4. If you are a beginner, start by doing 10 crunches in every set. Each day, aim to complete two to three sets of crunches.

7.  Bird dog

1. Put your weight on your hands and toes while bending your knees to take a tabletop position. Squeeze your core to keep your spine straight.
2. Raise your left arm to reach straight forward, while simultaneously raising your right leg and stretching it out.
3. Hold for a count, squeezing your core, before returning to the original position.
4. Repeat the movement with your right arm and left leg to complete 1 rep.

Artificial Fat Burner Side Effects

While artificial fat burners can help with almost immediate weight loss, you can gain back this weight just as quickly. These fluctuations in weight can be harmful to your body. In addition to that, artificial fat burners can also have the following side effects:

1. Allergies

Fat burners are commonly associated with allergies. Certain ingredients of these pills tend to create reactions inside the consumer’s body. Some of the common symptoms of these allergies are itching, stomach upsets, etc.

2. Insomnia

You could also lose sleep as an effect of fat burners pills. For example, the fat burner ephedrine is known to alter one’s regular sleep patterns. Excessive consumption of these fat burners can lead to disruption in one sleep and can have severe effects on one’s health.

3. Heart Risk

Several ingredients found in fat-burning pills are known to be harmful to the heart. Many such pills have been removed from the market due to their interference with the heart.

One such fat burner is sibutramine, which resulted in major heart damage, that led to strokes and heart attacks. Another substance called bitter orange showed side effects that can lead to heart attacks.

4. Behavioural Change

These pills are often accompanied by changes in behaviour such as eating habits. One common area is dietary patterns. People who have these pills also suffer from mood swings, anxiety, higher blood pressure etc. 

5. Other Complications

Certain ingredients in these pills can lead to emotional disturbances creating mental health issues. In certain cases, people have to deal with problems like addiction with these pills behaving like drugs.

Summary

Although many people wish to shed kilos in a shorter span of time, it is not recommended for one to do so. Quick weight loss can have several side effects that can be harmful to the body. It is ideal to aim to lose weight steadily over a longer period of time by following a balanced diet. 

Frequently Added Questions (FAQs)

Q. What foods help burn belly fat?

A: Foods such as whole grains, fibre-rich fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fatty fish, green tea, black coffee, nuts and seeds help burn belly fat faster. 

Q. What fruits and vegetables burn the most fat?

A: All fibre-rich fruits and vegetables will help in fat loss. These include pears, apples, melons, peppers, and cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and leafy greens.

Q. How do I lose 10 pounds in a week?

A: This is an unrealistic goal. Focus on consistent long-term weight loss of about a pound every week, with a balanced diet rich in nutrients instead of drastic weight loss by doing crash diets.

Q. How can I lose fat quickly?

A: There is no quick fix for fat loss. Fat takes a long time to deposit in the body due to a faulty lifestyle and to get rid of that, one needs to include a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise to see results.

Q. Are fat burners good?

A:  Yes, natural means of fat burning like exercising and a conscious diet are great ways to stay in shape and keep yourself healthy. There are many exercises like bear crawl, goblet squat, jump rope, vertical leg crunch, bicycle crunches etc that are efficient in accelerating your fat burning process. Furthermore adding a few foods such as apples, boiled eggs, black coffee, green tea, chillies, brown rice and fatty fish improve the pathway for fat burning. 

Q. Which fat burner is best for fat loss?

A: There is no short-cut method for fat loss. Burning fat accumulated over months as a result of a sedentary lifestyle demands dedication and effort. One needs to exercise and consume healthy foods in order to burn fat. A few exercises like  bear crawl, goblet squat, jump rope, vertical leg crunch, bicycle crunches etc may help accelerate the fat burning process. Food such as black coffee, green tea, boiled eggs, apple, chillies, brown rice and fatty fish also promote healthy fat burning. 

Q. Which is the best fat burner in India?

A: There exists no escape route for the fat-burning process. It’s a gradual and tedious process that requires commitment. A healthy diet and exercising can be your best friends to help you shed a few kgs faster though. Exercises like  bear crawl, goblet squat, jump rope, vertical leg crunch, bicycle crunches etc may help accelerate the fat burning process. Food such as black coffee, green tea, apple, chillies, brown rice, eggs and fatty fish also promote healthy fat burning. 

Q. Are there any side effects of fat burners?

A: Yes, even though artificial fat burners promise a bypass route to fat burning there are various side effects. The almost immediately lost weight is often gained back just as quickly. These fluctuations in weight can harm the body in various ways. In addition to this, artificial fat burners can also cause disrupted sleep patterns or insomnia. Several ingredients found in fat-burning pills are known to be harmful to the heart and cause allergies like itching or stomach upset as well. These pills can also lead to emotional disturbances leading to mental health issues.

Q. How do you lose belly fat?

A: Conscious diet and exercising are great ways to lose belly fat. Including items like apples, green chillies, eggs, brown rice and fatty fish can help you burn the fat accumulated around the abdominal region faster. The same goes for the daily consumption of black coffee and green tea. Few exercises like crunches, bear crawl, goblet squat, jump rope etc. can give a push towards losing belly fat. 

Q. Is coffee a fat burner?

A: Yes, black coffee contains antioxidants, which help in the weight loss process. Being rich in caffeine helps in the stimulation of metabolic activity and increases your energy level, thereby suppressing hunger. Black coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which helps to slow down glucose production in your body. This means that if you drink black coffee after a meal, then your body will produce less glucose and fat cells. 

Q. Does apple cider vinegar burn belly fat?

A: Yes, apple cider vinegar helps burn belly fat. Adding one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your diet can reduce body weight and even regulate blood triglycerides. It even acts as an appetite suppressant and thus reduces calorie intake. 

Q. What are the safest fat burners?

A: Natural means such as lifestyle modification, mindful eating and exercising are the safest fat burners. Exercises like  bear crawl, goblet squat, jump rope, vertical leg crunch, bicycle crunches etc may help accelerate the fat burning process. Food such as black coffee, green tea, apple, chillies, brown rice, eggs and fatty fish also promote healthy fat burning. 

Q. Which medicine is best for reducing belly fat?

A: Fat burning is a gradual process and we strongly discourage the use of medicines for it as they can have long-lasting side effects such as allergies, and heart complications and can even lead to mental health conditions. Natural means such as lifestyle modification, mindful eating and exercising are the best means to lose belly fat and lead a healthy life. 

Q. How much weight can you lose with fat burners?

A: If one stays true to their weight loss diet and exercises regularly, they can lose up to 0.5-1- kg per week. 

Q. Is green tea a fat burner?

A:  Yes, green tea is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that increase fat burning.  It contains the antioxidant Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) which boosts metabolism. EGCG can also make people consume fewer calories by acting as an appetite suppressant. Green tea also contains a considerable amount of caffeine, a well-known stimulant that helps your body burn both fat and calories.

Q. How can I speed up my metabolism? 

A: Few tips that will help you boost your metabolism. Cutting down on refined sugar, processed, packaged or preserved foods. Consume fibre-rich plant-based products like seeds, vegetables, and whole grains. In addition, drink sufficient water and fluids, and consume enough protein, healthy fats and fibre.  Avoid skipping meals, or following fad diets which avoid some food groups. It would make you have unnecessary cravings and put your glucose levels out of order. Exercise or any sort of physical activity for around 30 minutes a day would help regulate blood glucose and blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.  Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of night sleep. Having an irregular sleep schedule could mess up your sugar and create problems in metabolism functioning.