It seems like diet sabotage is everywhere you look this season [1]. But it's not just about sugary office treats and endless holiday party spreads; some of the most common Winter foods actually help, not hurt, your waistline. Want to know which ones? Read on for six fat-burning foods you should be eating this holiday season!
Dark Chocolate
Your favorite indulgence actually includes two ingredients that are known to boost metabolism: caffeine and the antioxidant catechin. Just make sure you stick to a small square a day so the sugar and calories don't outweigh dark chocolate's fat-burning potential. Try this flourless chocolate cake [3] to enjoy the benefits of this wintry food — one serving is only 96 calories.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes may just be your cold-weather fat-burning secret. Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber, which helps keep you feeling full while burning calories by putting your digestive system to work. And they also contain a hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar [4]. Stick with simply seasoned boiled or steamed sweet potatoes — not a sugary dessert — if you are eating for weight loss. We heartily recommend this sweet potato salad [5] — it's spicy, Paleo, and gluten-free.
Cinnamon
This is the time of year when cinnamon is often the star, and that's a good thing: the warming Fall spice has been shown to slow digestion and regulate blood sugar to boost your metabolism. Be sure to snack on some cinnamon-roasted chickpeas [6] to reap the benefits of this spice.
Pears
You can find various types of pears throughout the Fall and Winter, and there's reason to stock up: pears, like apples, contain high levels of pectin, which binds to water [7] and limits the amount of fat your body absorbs. And pears make great additions to smoothies. Here's one of our favorites: pear and berry smoothie [8].
Turkey
Rest assured, your post-Thanksgiving leftover turkey habit is helping you burn fat. Lean protein, like turkey, keeps you full and takes energy to digest — both of which mean increased metabolism. Go for skinless breast meat to keep the calories down. Or whip up a batch of turkey chili [9], adding the fat-burning power of cayene pepper [10] to your meal.
Grapefruit
This citrus is prime for picking in Autumn and Winter, so stock up. Grapefruit is an excellent source of soluble fiber, which can help you stay fuller longer while eating less. Try tossing grapefruit segments in a hearty salad for lunch (along with a grapefruit vinaigrette [11]) or try this spiced honey-broiled grapefruit [12] — it's perfect for breakfast or dessert.