Foods That Burn Fat and Put on Muscle

If you are serious about building muscle you need to know right up front that it is a lifestyle more than a diet and training program. There is no formula for success other than eating and exercising right. The most important factor in reaching your fitness goals is consistency. That means you have to work out and eat right on a regular basis not just that crash diet two weeks before your high school reunion.

Diet and exercise aren’t always the easiest things to fit into our lives. Sometimes it’s hard to find the time and sometimes we just don’t want to work out and we really want to eat the greasy burger. Like I said, fitness is a lifestyle so there’s room to be lazy or indulge once in awhile but overall a healthier life requires a healthier lifestyle. Fortunately, it’s not as hard as you think. If you’re smart about it, transitioning from a not-so-healthy to a healthy lifestyle will be one of the easier and more enjoyable goals you ever reach.

To make your life that much easier, I’ve put together a list of some of the foods you should incorporate into your diet that can help you burn fat and put on muscle. You can’t neglect the work-out aspect of your new lifestyle but what you do outside the gym will always have a much greater impact on what you look like than anything else.

Nuts

Not only do they taste good and give you some variety in the texture of your diet, but nuts are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Studies have shown a strong link between the oils found in nuts and cardiovascular health. Incorporating natural (uncooked and unsalted) nuts, including cashews which are actually legumes, provide essential omega-3 fatty acids and are an excellent source of protein in a small portable package. Nuts are high in fat and subsequently high in calories so you need to exercise some discretion, but they are an easy way to get healthy fat and protein incorporated into your busy life.

Legumes

It may not be a word you are familiar with but you have likely eaten a variety of legumes in your everyday diet. Soy, lima and kidney beans are examples of high-fiber, high-protein foods that can make you feel fuller, help your digestion and provide another source of quality protein.

Whey Protein

This is the most common form of protein supplement you will find. Whey protein is derived from milk and comes in a variety of flavors and brands. Whey protein digests quickly which is great for building muscle and contains a relatively low amount of calories. If you are planning on building muscle, plan on supplementing your diet with a good whey protein.

Egg Whites

Again it comes down to protein. The majority of the protein in an egg is found in the whites. They are also a good source of vitamin B12 which helps metabolism. The yolk of an egg contains the majority of the fat and calories but is also where the egg hides most of its nutritional value. The best thing to do here is mix in a yolk for every few whites you separate out.

Final Thought

Eating right and exercising can be difficult but it doesn’t have to be the nightmare some people make it out to be. Make sure you keep things interesting or you probably won’t stick with it. Also, don’t think you have to starve yourself to look good. Incorporating these healthy options into a balanced diet will help you build muscle which will increase your body’s ability to burn fat and get you that much closer to your fitness goals.