by Holly Ridgeway

Created on: November 15, 2009

So you're already aware that to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. This usually is accomplished by eating less and exercising more. If that seems an unfortunate fact of life, take heart. These 5 foods will help boost your metabolism to help you burn fat more efficiently. You might lose weight by simply adding them to your diet, even without reducing calories or increasing your physical activity.

1. Oats. For many bodybuilders looking to get ripped, it is the foundation of their diet. And anyone eager to lose weight should consider it a staple. The soluble fiber in oats . . . slows down the absorption of glucose by the body, stabilizing blood sugar levels which can help with maintaining your weight or even losing body fat.[1] Eat traditional or steel-cut oats for breakfast within one hour of waking. You can jazz it up with a non-calorie or low-calorie sweetener (a teaspoon of Sugar-Free Jell-O Pudding mix works great!), nuts, and a few dried berries. Use skim milk or water before heating. Warm foods tend to satisfy hunger better than cold foods, and eating within an hour of waking helps jump-start the metabolism.

2. Almonds. Rich in fiber and heart-healthy fats, almonds are considered the most healthful of all nuts. But they're also a powerful fat-burning food. The International Journal of Obesity completed a study comparing adults eating an almond-rich, moderate-fat diet to adults eating a low-fat diet consisting of the same number of calories. After 24 weeks, patients on the moderate-fat diet containing almonds had achieved a greater reduction in weight/BMI (-18% vs. -11%), waist circumference (-14% vs. -9%), fat mass (-30% vs. - 20%) and systolic blood pressure (-11% vs. 0%).[2] Eat a quarter cup for a snack. You may also add almonds to cereals and salads to supplement protein.

3. Vegetables. You've been told all your life to eat your vegetables, and with good reason. The water and fiber in . . . vegetables will add volume to your dishes, so you can eat the same amount of food with fewer calories.[3] So fill up at least half of your plate with vegetables. And no, corn is not a vegetable. A potato is a vegetable, but since it ranks high on the glycemic index, it's best to keep its portion size to a minimum, so opt for the equivalent of a small baked potato and non-starchy veggies for the remainder. Follow the same guideline for other root vegetables. Not only will the volume of food help you feel full, but the fiber will aid in

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