Oatmeal

Your morning snack attack is caused by a dip in blood sugar levels. Fiber-rich oatmeal stays in your stomach for hours, staving off a doughnut run. Watch out: Steer clear of the sugary flavored varieties. Choose the plain stuff, and sweeten it with berries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protein Powder

It's not just for gym rats! Protein powder contains amino acids that burn fat and build muscle. Add two teaspoons to a smoothie for a fat-busting drink. Find it at health food stores. Watch out: Make that smoothie with fruit, yogurt, and low-fat milk.

 

 

 

Berries

Berries stuff a lot of filling fiber into a tiny package: Just one cup of raspberries has six grams of fiber.

 

 

Whole Grains

The right kinds of carbs are actually good for you. Choose whole grains — their fiber keeps you from getting hungry. Whole grains help your body burn more fat because they take extra effort to break down than processed grains, like white bread and pasta. Whole foods that are rich in fiber, like brown rice and oatmeal, are your best bets. Watch out: Sometimes bread labeled "wheat" has been stripped of all of its fiber and nutrients. Look for "whole grain" or "100 percent whole wheat."

 

Green Vegetables

If their vitamins and minerals don't persuade you, maybe their waist-whittling powers will do the trick. Veggies like spinach and broccoli are loaded with fiber and very few calories. Have a salad before a meal and you'll be satisfied with smaller portions later. Adding apple slices and dried cranberries can make the salad more interesting and enjoyable while being healthy.

 

Avocados

In addition to containing lots of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados are a terrific source of filling fiber (11 to 17 grams per avocado!), making them a great food for staving off hunger

 

Green Tea

"Tea, especially green tea, is rich in antioxidants that have been proven to speed metabolism," explains Mark Ukra, author of The Ultimate Tea Diet. The brew contains a plant compound called EGCG, which promotes fat-burning, research suggests. Drinking four cups of green tea a day helped people shed more than six pounds in eight weeks, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports. Credit EGCG, a compound in the brew that temporarily speeds metabolism after sipping it. To up your intake, keep a jug of iced tea in the fridge. In fact, according to Swiss researchers, tea-drinking subjects burn a whopping 266 more calories per day than those who abstain.

 

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

This low-cal, calcium-rich treat activates the body's fat-burning hormones, say University of Wisconsin researchers. "Plus, because of its high protein content — it contains more than any other dairy product — you'll stay full longer," notes Dr. La Puma.

 

Water

If you're even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down, says Scott Isaacs, MD, clinical instructor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. Tip: Drink water cold, which forces your body to use more calories to warm it up.

 

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers contain capsaicin, a chemical compound that can kick metabolism into higher gear, Dr. Isaacs says. He suggests adding a tablespoon of chopped chili peppers to a meal once a day. Chili peppers are also an unexpected source of vitamin C.