There’s no magic weight loss food- but there are foods you can add to your diet plan that will help give your metabolism a boost, allowing you to burn more fat, more quickly. Give some of these a try!

Berries

Fibre is an essential diet weapon- it keeps you feeling full and satisfied, helping you to eat less throughout the day without compromising on your energy levels. There are plenty of ways to get more fibre in your diet- but one of the best (and the most delicious!) are berries. One cup of raspberries gives you 8 grams of fibre; a cup of blackberries has 7.4 grams and blueberries have 3.5 grams. Whether you buy them fresh or frozen, add some berries into your diet plan and enjoy the sweet, delicious taste, while you beat hunger pangs. 

Turkey

Of all the animal proteins, turkey has the fewest calories per 100 grams. Protein is excellent for keeping you feeling full on less, helping you to lose more weight. Turkey also contains the amino acid leucine (commonly found in dairy products), which some studies suggest plays a role in preserving muscle mass during weight loss- which in turn helps to keep your metabolism running fast.

Chillies or cayenne pepper

Hot chillies and cayenne pepper contain capsaicin, which triggers what’s called a thermodynamic burn that lasts for hours after you eat- giving you a swift metabolic boost. Capsaicin is what causes that burning feeling in your mouth when you eat spicy food. Recent studies have suggested that the burning feeling causes the pain receptors in your mouth to send messages to the brain for fast relief. The brain reacts by pumping adrenaline through the body and speeding up the heart rate, which causes sweating and increased calorie burn. So sprinkle some crushed chillies onto all your meals, giving it an extra flavour hit as well as helping your metabolism.

Citrus fruits

Add oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit into your daily diet plan- they contain high amounts of vitamin C, which can help to dilute fat so that it exits your body more easily. Citrus fruit has also been known to help increase your metabolic rate, so you can blast more calories, more quickly.

Low-fat Yogurt

Calcium is essential for your overall health- and it can also help you to fight fat. Research shows that a lack of calcium in the body can trigger the release of hormones that cause us to store fat- while getting your daily recommended dosage helps the body to burn fat more efficiently. Plain, low-fat yogurt is one of the best sources of calcium, and makes a delicious creamy treat for any time of the day. Just make sure you choose low-sugar varieties.

Cereal

Fibre-rich breakfast cereals give you fewer calories and greater satisfaction than lots of other breakfast options. Aim for cereals that give you at least 5 grams of fibre per serving, and check the sugar levels to make sure you’re choosing the best varieties. Serve up with some low-fat milk and you’ll feel full and satisfied right through to lunchtime, making you less likely to snack on unhealthy foods throughout the morning.

Peanuts

Nuts are a great source of ‘healthy fats’ (that is, unsaturated fats), which can actually help you to burn more body fat. They are also full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre and protein, which can help control blood sugar and aid weight loss. One study from Purdue University found that adding peanuts into a diet resulted in a significant drop in the blood fats associated with heart disease. Nuts help to maintain good levels of fat burning hormones in your body, as well as helping to control appetite and cravings so that you actually eat less calories in total, even though you're consuming a high-fat food.