Common foods that bust fat!

Far from the buzz of the royal baby - here are some of the most common foods found in the kitchen and refrigerator that can help keep those calories at bay with various hunger-reducing or stomach-filling properties. Munch on these and eat more, to lose more!

Apple

No kidding - from the adage if eating one a day to keep the doctor away to the fact that chomping an apple just before you sit down to a grand meal keeps you from eating less - this is one very common fruit that keeps you from gaining those extra pounds. Also, eating an apple can actually help reduce belly fat due to its antioxidant content, thus keeping the "apple" shape - a fat belly - at bay!

Beef

So okay, a steak is not what anybody reaches for - considered to be a complete diet buster, beef and other such red meats are supposedly in the boondocks for a lean shape. So how can beef aid in weight loss? If it's organic! Grass-fed beef has only 2.4 grams of fat compared to 16.3 grams of fat in normal beef for a 3.5 ounce serving. Also organic beef contains higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, believed to reduce fat in the body.

Eggs

They do get a lot of bad press due to the high level of fat in them. But according to a study of overweight women, those who had eggs for breakfast lost weight quicker than those who had, say, bagels! And don't worry about cholesterol: the cholesterol in egg is of the good variety, essential for body processes.

Oats

Once known as the poor man's grits, oats have travelled a long way... All oats are healthy, but steel-cut and rolled varieties (which are minimally processed) have upto 5 grams of fiber per serving, making them the most filling and healthiest choice. Instant oats contain 3 to 4 grams per serving. Just make sure they are not loaded with sugar.

Lentils

Lentils, pulses or dals as they are known in South Asia are very healthy - full of proteins and fiber - they keep blood sugar levels down and prevent extreme hunger pangs. It easy to add them to pasta sauces after they are cooked and they can also be consumed in salads if pre-boiled.

Salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids - everybody seems to talk about them and their health benefits. And one of the best places to get the right dose is through fish. Fish fats keep heart healthy and shrink the waist, too. Omega-3 fatty acids improves insulin sensitivity in the body which in turn helps build muscle and decrease belly fat. Wild salmon is a better bet as it may contain fewer pollutants as opposed to the farmed ones.

Pomegranates

Many stores sell pre-shucked pomegranate to reduce the rather irritating process. While pomegranate juice is supposed to be healthy, eating the fleshy seeds is even better. The pith is loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants, is low in calories and high in fiber and give a sweet high without the empty calories.

Chilies

Spicy meals should not call for tears, they should be joyful! Chilies have a capsaicin - the one responsible for the burn that has a thermogenic effect. Basically once chilly-spiced food is consumed; it causes the body to burn extra calories for 20 minutes after. So chill...

Yogurt

Plain yogurt, as opposed to sugar-loaded sweetened yogurts is the perfect food. It has a perfect threesome of carbohydrates, protein and fat and staves off hunger by keeping blood sugar levels steady. It's also a great substitute for mayo as a dip or topping.

Olive Oil

Agreed that olive oil is oil and thus fattening. However healthy fats such as olive oil increase satiety, taming appetite thus a meal cooked in olive oil will keep the stomach fuller, longer. Olive oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and chronic inflammation in the body is often linked to metabolic syndrome aka rolls of belly fat!