Diet Tips for Burning More Calories

We all know that eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet is necessary for our health, but did you know that when and what you consume may also determine how efficiently your body burns calories and how effective your exercise routine is? There are certain parts of your diet that can drastically affect your stamina and energy levels, especially during your workout. Therefore, to get the most out of every exercise and maximize the number of calories burned throughout your day, follow these simple diet tips:

Consume Caffeine Before Your Workout

Not only can caffeine give you more energy to increase your performance during your workout, but it also increases your metabolic rate, which boosts the amount of calories and fat you burn while exercising. Caffeine aids in the performance of difficult physical tasks so much that it was once on the Olympics’ list of forbidden substances. It is most effective for endurance activities and power-intensive activities. Drinking black coffee, a shot of espresso, green tea, or black tea are great ways to get your caffeine about an hour before exercising in order to amplify your workout without the extra calories. I like to add a small amount of coconut milk to my coffee just before I exercise for some healthy fats as well as caffeine. A word of caution to those with heart conditions: consult with your doctor before having caffeine prior to a workout, as this stimulant increases your heart rate along with your stamina.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

It really is the most important meal of the day! Breakfast will jumpstart your metabolism so your body will begin burning more calories. If you skip breakfast after not eating all night, your body begins conserving all of its energy because it is in a fasting state, unsure of when it will get fuel again. Eating a good breakfast will also make you less irritable and increase your energy levels, which makes it easier to be more active and burn more calories.

A healthy breakfast will keep you satisfied longer into the day than an unhealthy breakfast or no breakfast at all. The ideal breakfast is a combination of lean protein, healthy fats, and a small amount of whole grains. Eggs and toast or yogurt and whole grain cereal are excellent foods to break your fast with and keep you going as they slowly release energy in your body throughout the morning rather than all at once.

Drink Plenty of Water

It is important to drink water throughout the day because hydration allows your body’s systems to function more efficiently, including your metabolism and ability to burn calories. Being hydrated when you begin a workout is also necessary for a good athletic performance; even a small amount of dehydration detracts from the body’s ability to exert energy. If you’re dehydrated when you begin exercising, the water lost through breathing and sweating during your workout will increase your level of dehydration and can lead to dizziness, lethargy, and muscle cramping. Drinking water throughout the day and a full glass or two at least 15 minutes before exercising will reduce the risk of dehydration, and downing a full glass before meals will also help you feel full faster and eat less, leaving you with fewer calories to burn.

If you have tried time and time again to get rid of stubborn fat with diet and exercise to no avail, a body contouring procedure might be the right choice for you. I encourage you to contact my Scottsdale practice by calling (480) 890-0600 or filling out our online contact form today. I look forward to meeting you and helping you attain a body you can feel confident about.