There is so much power in the foods we eat; they can build our health or tear it down. We each make the choice bite by bite; yes, we choose what to eat and ultimately much of our overall health is determined by these choices. One area that certain foods can help is with fat burning and botanicals can do this. A botanical is a plant part valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scent – this includes the spices and herbs we use in our kitchen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approximately 40% of American adults are obese, and what is more concerning is approximately 18.5% of children. Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas are the states with the highest rates of obesity.
There are many ways to encourage weight and fat loss and certain foods can help.
How can foods affect your weight in a positive way?
- Stimulate Metabolism so your body can process food faster, absorb more nutrients, and eliminate the unusable portions faster.
- Control Appetite by eating certain foods.
- Maintain Satiety with food choices, protein helps with satiety.
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”
Sean Patrick Flanery
Let’s look at three foods that have fat-burning properties.
Green tea can effectively reduce adipose tissue (body fat). It does this by raising thermogenesis (speeds up metabolism and decreases appetite). Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and plant compounds that can benefit overall health, too. Check out the ingredients on many fat-loss products and you will often find green tea extract! Besides drinking green tea, the steeped tea can be used in salad dressing and sauces in the place of water.
Cayenne may work to curb your appetite, speed up your metabolism, and help burn calories. The main active ingredient is capsaicin, and it is believed to be thermogenic also. By speeding up metabolism, your body is more likely to convert nutrients to energy instead of fat. It can help with overall digestive health too. Cayenne can be added to soups, egg dishes, sautéed vegetables, and hummus.
Turmeric contains the compound curcumin which may suppress inflammatory markers that play a role in obesity. Curcumin may promote weight loss, reduce fat tissue growth, curb weight gain, and enhance sensitivity to insulin. Turmeric can be added to smoothies, eggs, salad dressings, hummus, fish dishes, and roasted vegetables. I have a salmon cake recipe that uses turmeric; it is my go-to fish meal when planning my weekly menu. It is super easy; double the recipe and freeze half for an easy premade meal!
These three botanicals can easily be added to your diet, you will reap the benefits, and add flavor to your food. For me, it is about adding flavor and nutrition to my meals and not about adding another supplement! In fact, using any of these three items in supplement form should only be done under the guidance of a health-care professional/coach. There can be serious side effects and medication interactions that can be dangerous. Most botanicals used in food have little chance of causing a problem unless you are allergic to it.
“The foods we eat impact our wellbeing, not just on a cellular level, but on a whole-life level –
how we feel, how much energy we have, how strong we are, how capable we can be.”
Dr. Axe
Our body needs fuel to function and maintain health. If it doesn’t have the right fuel, it is not going to function well, especially as we age. Invest in yourself because you are worth it.
Do you use any of these botanicals in your cooking? Do you have a favorite recipe for any of them?
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Heather
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