This mushroom certainly doesn’t look like anything you would want to touch, let alone eat. But despite its knobby, charcoal, tumor-like appearance, Chaga has a lot going for it.
Chaga is the common name for the fungus Inonotus obliquus. It’s actually a cancerous growth that occurs almost exclusively on birch trees, often killing the tree once it invades the tree’s interior.
Sounds appetizing, right? But while the chaga mushroom signals impending death for a tree, the opposite is true for humans.
The powerful antioxidants in this fungus may potentially prevent or slow tumor growth. Other possible chaga benefits include lowering cholesterol and fighting heart disease.
But what does the research say about these possible benefits? We’re diving deeper into what you should know before breaking into a chunk of chaga or making a cup of chaga mushroom coffee for better health.
Yes, you’re totally seeing chaga everywhere
Raise your hand if your social media feed is loaded with people extolling the benefits of chaga mushrooms. You’re not the only one.
Their newfound popularity ties to the pandemic and social media. People are looking for easy ways to layer on more immune-boosting protection. And, well, they like to post about it.
Mushroom supplements saw double-digit growth of 46 percent in 2020, according to Nutritional Outlook. The chaga market specifically grew by 11.9 percent.
These mushrooms may be the ugly darling of nutritional supplements today, but they are an herbal medicine dating back thousands of years in Russia and Asia.
What do you do with chaga?
One of the most popular ways to get the benefits of chaga mushrooms is to drink them in tea or coffee. Interestingly, during WWII and a related coffee shortage, Finland used chaga to make coffee.
Chaga powder also mixes well into smoothies or pancake batter, and it comes in pill form too.
What’s so great about chaga?
The appeal of chaga stems from its medicinal value rather than nutrition. After all, people aren’t scooping up chaga mushrooms at the grocery store and adding them to salads or tossing them into a stir-fry.
You might see nutrition “facts” on websites that sell chaga, but there’s no evidence to support the nutrition values.
What we do know from research is that chaga is chock-full of antioxidants, its claim to fame in supporting a host of health conditions, according to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
Its antioxidant content may be one reason chaga can potentially protect against diseases and cancer. Another reason: beetulinic acid.
Beetulinic acid, known for its cancer-fighting properties, is found in birch trees, per the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The chaga mushroom absorbs as it grows on the birch tree.
How is chaga harvested?
Tempted to DIY your own chaga tea? You certainly can—if you can find them.
In the United States, they are predominantly found in Alaska and some other cold-weather states. So depending on where you live, you may be able to find them while you walk in the woods.
Before you go foraging through the forest, remember that many mushrooms are poisonous. All wild mushrooms, including chaga, should be 100 percent positively identified before you eat them. Skip this step, and you could up snacking on chaga’s deadly cousin.
Chaga harvesting happens year-round, but the black, charcoal-like mass is much easier to spot on birch trees in the winter when the leaves are scarce.
There are reports of chaga mushrooms growing up to 30 inches long and 20 inches wide, and weighing around seven to 10 pounds.
These are no delicate button mushrooms. Chaga’s exterior is tough, while the orangey-red inside is soft. People harvest chaga with a hatchet, ax, or knife.
Removing the mushroom doesn’t hurt the tree—it’s likely already dead or dying. If the damage hasn’t reached the tree’s interior, removing the cancerous chaga might save the tree.
Once cut from the tree, chaga is stored in a dry environment with good airflow. From there, it can be broken down into small pieces or ground into powder for supplements and extracts.
The studies thus far on the health benefits of chaga are encouraging, though scientists say a lot more research is necessary.
“Chaga can be supportive in cancer treatment. It can assist in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and it can also help the immune system by regulating the cytokines that help increase the immune fighter cells like white blood cells,” says Rossia Parrish, a licensed naturopathic doctor with Boulder Natural Health in Boulder, Colorado.
The caveat is that researchers have conducted only laboratory and animal studies. There haven’t been any human-based clinical trials to assess chaga’s safety, efficacy, or dosage for preventing or treating cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.
Still, people are using chaga mushrooms on their own or under the care of a naturopathic doctor to boost immunity, improve overall health, and support the efforts of treating medical conditions.
Inflammation and immunity
Both animal and test-tube studies in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found reduced inflammation and increased antibacterial and antiviral properties through chaga’s ability to increase white blood cells. But without studies in humans, it’s too early to say whether it could work for you.
The findings are intriguing: White blood cells are the body’s main defense against viruses and bacteria, according to Dana Hunnes, PhD, senior dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. They help your body fight off bacteria and viruses, keeping you healthy.
The same research found that chaga mushrooms reduced and prevented the production of cytokines, which are markers for inflammation.
Cancer
Chaga’s most acclaimed attribute is its purported antitumor activities. It’s been harvested and used to treat cancer in several countries, according to Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma: Approaches to Treatment. But again, human studies have yet to support this finding.
“Animal and test-tube studies show that Chaga can prevent and perhaps even slow down cancer cell growth,” says Hunnes, who is also a professor at the Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles.
One study in mice showed a 60 percent reduction in tumor size, and a test-tube study of human cells from livers, lungs, breasts, prostates, and colons, showed that chaga prevented the growth of cancer cells, according to Hunnes.
Diabetes
Managing blood sugar is essential for people with diabetes. When blood sugar levels are consistently high, it causes damage to vital organs, the eyes, and the nerves, and it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
People are intrigued by the potential of chaga for managing blood sugar, but so far it’s only been tested in mice.
In a study published in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, researchers fed chaga mushroom extract to a group of overweight mice with type 2 diabetes. Compared with mice who didn’t eat chaga, the mushroom-eating mice had reduced blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
Cholesterol
With chaga’s high concentration of antioxidants, it may help people who have high cholesterol. This, in turn, could help protect against clogged arteries and heart disease.
In the same Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy study mentioned above, overweight mice with type 2 diabetes that ate chaga mushroom extract had reduced LDL “bad” cholesterol and increased HDL “good” cholesterol.
Who should avoid chaga mushrooms?
Chaga may interact with medications and other supplements, or it may impact an existing health condition. So talk to your doctor before attempting to add it into your diet.
Keep in mind, chaga mushrooms may prevent the absorption of some nutrients and can be toxic in high doses.
“Chaga mushrooms aren’t without risk,” cautions Parrish.
If you fall into one of the categories below, you may have to avoid chaga.
People with kidney issues
“Their high oxalate content should be a concern to anyone taking chaga,” Parrish says.
Oxalates are in a variety of foods. Their tiny molecules bind minerals like calcium and form crystals, impacting neurological function, connective tissue function, and kidney and bladder function.
If you have kidney issues, avoid chaga mushrooms, Parrish says.
People with osteoporosis
The oxalates in chaga mushrooms are calcium chelators, which means they bind to calcium and eliminate it from the body.
That’s bad news for people with the brittle-bone disease osteoporosis. Calcium is a key mineral for building bones.
“If a patient is osteoporotic, this is another reason to avoid chaga mushrooms, since oxalates will decrease the level of overall bioavailable calcium in the body,” explains Parrish.
People on blood thinners
Don’t take chaga if you are on blood-thinning medications.
“Chaga may also prevent blood from clotting, so if you are blood thinners, you should not take this,” says Hunnes. “And if you are having any procedures done, you should not take it.”
People on diabetes medication
Steer clear of chaga mushrooms if you take medicine to control diabetes.
“Chaga may lower blood sugar levels too much and could be dangerous if you become hypoglycemic,” says Hunnes.
Parrish agrees, noting that if someone is taking medications to regulate insulin, chaga may interfere with the effectiveness of the medication.
“They should work with their doctor to modulate or monitor their medications more closely,” she says.
People with autoimmune diseases
Chaga might cause the immune system to become more active, intensifying the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
“I would not recommend anyone with autoimmune diseases or anyone who has had organ transplantation to take this, as it may interact with certain medications, making them either less effective or more effective, which could be dangerous,” says Hunnes.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
“Pregnant and lactating women should not take it either, as it may pass to the baby through the placenta or breastfeeding [milk], and safety is not known for this,” Hunnes says.
How to use chaga mushrooms
If you decide to try chaga, consult your health care provider first. Be sure to alert your provider of all the medications you currently take, including other herbal supplements.
Chaga mushrooms may be helpful, but keep in mind they are strictly supplemental. They are not proven or recommended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases.
Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), supplements should not make claims such as “prevents cancer,” “treats diabetes,” or “lowers cholesterol.”
Chaga tea and coffee
Although chaga is an edible fungus, it’s pretty bitter and not something you would eat straight from the tree. (It’s about as appetizing as it looks—not at all.)
Instead, you can make tea (also called chaga coffee) from raw chaga mushroom chunks.
Each company has its own instructions, but basically, you boil water and pour it over the chaga chunks. Let it steep and enjoy.
You might want to try a ready-to-mix chaga mushroom powder. It’s a no-fuss option—just add boiling water.
You can drink the tea as is, or try it as a substitute for milk or water when making oatmeal.
By the way, there is no caffeine in chaga mushroom tea or coffee.
Chaga mushroom powder and pills
Parrish typically recommends chaga mushroom in a capsule form for her patients.
Just know that the capsules may contain other botanical ingredients. “Many herbs have synergistic effects when taken together,” she says.
Chaga powders and extracts are other options to try.
As with all dietary supplements, the FDA doesn’t regulate the contents or additives of chaga mushrooms, so there’s no guaranteeing the quality or potency of the product.
Check the label for a third-party certifier, such as USP, UL, or NSF International.
If you do partake, ensure the chaga you buy is from 100 percent chaga mushrooms and not a lab. The active components of betulinic acid, which comes specifically from the birch tree, are not cultivated in a lab.
Milk, yogurt, and cheese
Secret fat-burner: Calcium
There are a lot of dairy myths circulating online, but as it turns out, milk really does do a body good—as do yogurt and cheese. A 2016 review of 33 studies found that increasing calcium intake through supplements can reduce body weight in subjects who have a normal BMI.
And you don’t have to opt for low-fat versions. A 2016 study of 18,438 middle-aged women found that consumption of high-fat dairy, but not low-fat dairy, was associated with reduced likelihood of becoming overweight through the years. One theory why: Fat is satiating, so keeps you fuller longer.
Oats and barley
Secret fat-burner: Fiber
Let’s settle this once and for all: As long as you eat the right kinds, carbs are actually healthy. In fact, they are one of the fat-burning foods you should add to your diet—starting as soon as you wake up. A 2016 study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that people who ate instant oatmeal at breakfast ate fewer calories later in the day, compared to people who ate a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal.
Eating whole grains keeps you full and stops you from overeating. Barley, in particular, is known to raise blood sugar slowly, so you skip the sugar spike and crash that leaves you hungry soon after a meal, notes a 2016 study from Lund University in Sweden.
Green tea
Secret fat-burner: Catechins
Brew up a cup. A 2015 report in the journal Scientific Reports that showed lower carb absorption after people downed a green tea extract. It’s likely that catechins in green tea are responsible for this effect.
Eggs
Secret fat-burner: Protein
Protein helps with weight loss in a number of ways. First, your body uses more energy—think calories—to break down protein foods than it does to break down other foods. Protein also helps you hang onto muscle mass as you’re losing weight, and since muscle burns more calories than fat, you want to keep as much of it as you can. Eggs in particular are a great choice.
A single egg has six grams of protein, making them one of the top foods that burn fat. Use these tricks to eat more healthy protein without even trying.
Walnuts and almonds
Secret fat-burner: Good fats
Plenty of studies point to nuts—aka the best disease fighter in your pantry—as one of the fat-burning foods you should add to your diet (as long as you don’t go overboard). Chalk it up to their fiber, their protein, and their good fat, which may increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, aiding weight loss, according to the American Council on Exercise. Walnuts are one of the best non-fish sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and almonds provide an extra benefit in the form of bone-building calcium. Check out more non-dairy sources of calcium that give you the nutrients you need.
Salmon
Secret fat-burner: Omega-3’s
Eating fat might sound like a crazy idea when you’re trying to lose fat, but getting more omega-3 fatty acids from fish like salmon could be just what the diet doctor ordered, according to a 2015 study in PLoSOne which found omega-3 supplementation resulted in a lower waist-hip ratio.
Aim to eat salmon or another oily fish, like mackerel, herring, or canned tuna, at least twice a week. If that doesn’t sound appealing, substitute the fish for other fat-burning foods that are rich in omega-3s.
Apples and pears
Secret fat-burner: Flavonoids
What do these foods have in common? They contain flavonoids, natural chemicals in plant foods that may have fat-fighting effects. Women who consumed the most flavonoids had significantly lower increases in body mass index over a 14-year period than women who ate the least, according to a 2016 study of more than 9,000 women in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “Animal studies have shown that these flavonoids can increase energy [calorie] expenditure, increase glucose uptake into muscle, and increase fat burning,” says Laura Hughes, MSc, the study’s lead investigator and a nutritional epidemiologist at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Find out the best fruits for weight loss.
Flaxseed
Secret fat-burner: Lignans
These shiny, fat-burning foods pack a secret weight-loss weapon: lignans. As estrogen-like compounds, they also make flaxseed one of the superfoods all healthy women need in their diets. Lignans are associated with less weight gain, according to a 2015 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Try grinding and adding a tablespoon of flaxseed each day to cereals, yogurt, or salad dressing.
Vinegar
Secret fat-burner: Acids
You already know that vinegar has super helpful uses around the house, but it could do your body some good, too. Researchers say vinegar is one of the foods that burn fat because it turns on genes that produce enzymes that help the body break down fat. Interested in trying it? Add vinegar to salads and marinades. Read up on the 13 fat-releasing foods that help you lose weight fast.
Tart cherries
Secret fat burner: Melatonin
Tart cherries contain high levels of the hormone melatonin, key to healthy sleep. And good quality sleep is crucial for maintaining your weight. “Research shows that when we don’t get enough sleep and we feel tired, we crave more high-calorie foods. We’re probably also less active because we’re tired,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, a nutrition and diabetes expert, and author of the 2-Day Diabetes Diet. “I generally recommend that people consume the tart cherries—fresh, dried, or in juice—within two or three hours before bed.”
Sweet potatoes
Secret fat burner: Beta carotene
Sweet and starchy foods are often off-limits to dieters, but sweet potatoes satisfy both those cravings—plus, they’re foods that burn fat too. Unlike other sweet and starchy foods, sweet potatoes are high in fiber. A medium tuber packs about 3.8 grams of dietary fiber, a carb that help you feel fuller faster. In particular, sweet potatoes have a sort of fiber called resistant starch, that, according a 2015 study, can help reduce the risk of obesity. You can actually increase the amount of resistant starch by allowing the tubers to cool before you eat them.
Brown rice
Secret fat burner: Fiber
“People can burn up to 100 more calories a day when they eat whole grains versus fluffy white ones,” says Samantha Cassetty, RD, a nutritionist based in New York City. “Eating foods in their most natural state is how our bodies are designed to handle them,” she explains. “Bodies are less efficient at processing foods in their natural state, so that’s what gives you an advantage.” A 2017 study from Tufts University found that people who consumed whole grains – an amount that matched the recommended daily allowance for fiber – lost almost an extra 100 calories per day than the participants who consumed refined grains without much fiber. Here are some more easy ways to get fiber in your diet.
Garlic and onions
Secret fat burner: Allicin
Allicin, the same compound that gives onions and garlic their very strong distinctive taste and smell, also delivers fat-fighting properties. Both these vegetables contain volatile oils and allicin—although garlic has a lot more allicin than onions. Research provides clues that the oils in both vegetables can help control fat accumulation and body weight.
Blood oranges
Secret fat burner: Vitamin C
“Blood oranges have one of the highest vitamin C contents of all citrus fruits,” says Palinski-Wade. “And when you have high levels of vitamin C in the bloodstream, stress levels return to normal faster.” Why is this good for fat-busting? Because high levels of stress hormones such as cortisol can encourage your body to store fat, especially around the middle. Fresh blood oranges, so-called because of their bright red pulp, can be eaten as a snack or sectioned into salads. (If you can’t find blood oranges in your local supermarket, navel oranges also have very high levels of vitamin C.)
Seaweed
Secret fat burner: Iodine
Seaweed—in sushi, salads, or dried sheets for snacking—is low-cal and full of iodine, a mineral that helps regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. One of the thyroid’s jobs is to regulate your body’s metabolism, which is why people whose thyroids don’t produce enough hormones may struggle with excess weight. Research shows that eating seaweed may be helpful for losing fat, possibly because of its prebiotic properties. Here are some more fat-burning, bloat-busting seaweed benefits.
Whey protein
Secret fat burner: Leucine
All protein is not equal: Whey protein—usually sold as a powder supplement to add to shakes and smoothies—may be especially helpful for shedding pounds. This may be due to its high levels of leucine—an amino acid that helps the body synthesize protein. “As a protein-based supplement, it promotes muscle maintenance and growth,” says Jennifer McDaniel, RD, owner of McDaniel Nutrition Therapy in Clayton, MO. Try whey protein, rather than casein or soy, in a meal or shake.
Hot peppers
Secret fat burner: Capsaicin
If you’ve ever felt the burn of a chili pepper—or cayenne, habañero, or jalapeño—it probably won’t surprise you to learn that these peppers may help you lose weight, too. “Capsaicin, the compound found in chili peppers [and other hot peppers] may boost metabolic rate slightly,” says Sharon Palmer, RDN, creator of The Plant-Powered Dietitian. “It raises energy expenditure.” According to Palinski-Wade, “Besides the fact that the capsaicin is thermogenic, eating hot peppers also makes you feel more satisfied.” She compares it to the feeling you have after brushing your teeth when you don’t want to eat anymore because of the minty taste in your mouth. Find out how hot pepper can help you live longer, too!
Peanut butter
Secret fat burner: Monounsaturated fat
Don’t grab a spoon and eat a whole jar—peanut butter is high in calories, after all. But a tablespoon or two of peanut butter on toast, apple slices, or celery is a great way to add healthy fat and protein to a meal or snack. The combination of fat, protein, and fiber in peanut butter makes it very filling. And according to one study, people who ate peanuts or peanut butter three times a week over the course of 12 weeks had lower BMIs by the end of the study than those who ate the snack once a week or less. For the healthiest option, look for brands without added sugar.
Coffee and black tea
Secret fat burner: Caffeine
Numerous studies have shown that caffeine can lift metabolic rate, which leads you burning more calories. “But don’t go crazy with it,” says Palinski-Wade. The optimum amount seems to be about 300 mg per day, she says, equivalent to about two medium cups of coffee or four of black tea. “Too much caffeine starts to reduce serotonin production,” she warns. “You might feel in a depressed mood and less motivated.” And don’t undermine the effect by loading up on cream and sugar. Find out the 30 little diet changes that can help you lose weight.
Turmeric
Secret fat burner: Curcumin
This bright orange spice does more than liven up curries. Curcumin, which is just one of turmeric’s active ingredients, helps fight fat by reducing inflammation in the body and changing the gut microbiome. No wonder turmeric lattes and “golden milk” have become so popular among those looking for foods that burn fat. Turmeric has benefits for your skin and hair, too.
Water
Secret fat burner: Water
Yes, water can help fill you up—and doesn’t contain the useless calories of soda or juice. However: Simply drinking a glass of cold water could, at least temporarily, boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories. “The general theory is that when you drink water your body has to expend energy to heat it up to your body temperature,” says Donald D. Hensrud, MD, editor of The Mayo Clinic Diet. “I suspect cold water would have the largest effect.”
Olive oil
Secret fat burner: Monounsaturated fat
“Fat isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” says Palinski-Wade. “If it’s a plant-based monounsaturated fat like that in olive oil, it’s a great choice. Olive oil might also help with fat reduction and body composition changes.” Palinski-Wade cautions that in spite of olive oil’s benefits, it’s important to use it in moderation since, like all fats, it’s calorie dense.
Beans, chickpeas, and lentils
Secret fat burner: Fiber
“Beans, chickpeas, and lentils are rich in fiber, and people with higher fiber diets tend to be leaner,” says McDaniel. She explains that “fiber-rich foods take up more real estate in our stomachs, helping us to feel full longer. As an added plus, says McDaniel, foods that are naturally rich in fiber also tend to be lower in calories yet nutrient dense, “providing you the right formula for weight loss.” Find out more about how beans can help you lose weight.
Grapefruit
Secret fat burner: Soluble fiber
Grapefruit earns its diet superfood reputation: For one, it’s full of soluble fiber, which fills you up and takes longer to digest. It may also boost your workout burn. In 2016, researchers found that when people were given p-synephrine, a compound found in grapefruit, before an exercise bike workout, they burnt more fat than carbohydrates when exercising at low or moderate intensity. One caveat: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interfere with the absorption of some drugs, so check with your doctor about any medications you’re taking.
Avocado
Secret fat burner: Monounsaturated fat
There are good fats and bad fats, and when it comes to avocados, “75 percent of the fat is good fat,” says Palinski-Wade. As with peanuts and olive oil, the monounsaturated fats in avocados are both heart-healthy and filling. “There have been studies showing that people who add half an avocado to their meals were more satisfied after eating and ended up snacking less and eating fewer calories afterward. It’s a great way to control calorie intake throughout the day,” says Palinski-Wade. Here are 30 more simple ways to burn fat fast.
Chewing gum
Secret fat burner: Gum base
Well-known food and nutrition expert Joy Bauer, RD, author of Joy’s Simple Food Remedies: Tasty Cures for Whatever’s Ailing You, says that chewing gum can be a powerful tool for weight loss. The gum base is what keeps gum chewy and keeps your mouth occupied. “Chewing a stick of gum fills your mouth with a shot of flavor and rescues you from mindlessly munching when you’re bored or battling a craving,” explains Bauer. She recommends popping a piece in your mouth when you’re cooking to save yourself from too much nibbling and tasting. Bauer adds that the act of chewing itself can burn an extra 11 calories an hour. Not exactly a workout, but any extra calorie burn is a good thing.
Black pepper
Secret fat burner: Piperine
Not a chili head? No problem. Hot peppers aren’t the only kind that can help with weight loss. Black pepper’s active ingredient is piperine, which gives the spice its pungent taste. Piperine helps food move more quickly through the digestive tract, and that reduces how many calories you can absorb.
Blueberries
Secret fat burner: Polyphenols
“Blueberries are great because you’re getting a high-volume food that is low in calories and tastes great,” says Palinski-Wade. But there’s more. “In animal studies, blueberries actually helped to reduce visceral fat (belly fat). We need more studies on humans, but we think it works because of the antioxidants [polyphenols] in blueberries that help reduce inflammation and stress hormone levels.”
Bison
Secret fat burner: Lean protein
The body uses more energy to digest protein than it does with carbohydrates or fats, making proteins the center of many successful weight loss plans. But people watching their weight—and their heart health—often avoid red meat because of its high saturated fat content (and calories). Bison is a tasty exception. According to the USDA, bison has less fat and fewer calories than beef.
Ginger
Secret fat burner: Gingerol
Gingerol, the active ingredient in ginger root, is related to both capsaicin and piperine, the compounds that make chili pepper and black pepper spicy and that help boost metabolism. A recent meta-analysis of studies suggests that ginger has a significant effect on body weight and belly fat. Try some ginger tea, or grate fresh ginger into a stir-fry.
Dark chocolate
Secret fat burner: Cocoa
Some fat-burning foods can be downright indulgent. “Dark chocolate definitely has some health perks,” says Cassetty. “It relaxes your blood vessels and allows blood to flow more freely. And it’s such a satisfying treat, it can help people control their craving for other sweets.” One 2017 review of studies found dark chocolate consumption was linked with a significant reduction of body weight and BMI. But the danger of indulgence is overindulgence; Cassetty warns that dark chocolate’s health benefits are best enjoyed in small doses. Try one small square after dinner as an end-of-day treat. Don’t miss this easy change that helps you burn fat faster.
Quinoa
Secret fat burner: Betaine
Quinoa is an excellent source of vegetable protein and fiber, and also contains high levels of betaine—an amino acid that helps promote fat loss. “Quinoa is more satisfying and a healthier swap for rice or pasta as a side dish,” says Palinski-Wade. “About 1/3 of a cup is a good size serving.”
Kimchi, pickles, and sauerkraut
Secret fat burner: Probiotics
Fermented vegetables like these contain live bacteria—probiotics—that keep your gut functioning well and help prevent bloating. “And research has shown that the healthier our gut bacteria, the leaner our waistlines,” says McDaniel. Here are some more good-for-you probiotic foods to add to your diet.
Soup
Secret fat burner: Broth
How much we eat is partly determined by how much space a food takes up in our bellies—and how full we feel after eating. Soup is satisfying and filling; provided you choose broth-based rather than cream-based varieties, soup will help you cut calories effortlessly. “Studies suggest that if you have soup either as a meal or before a meal, you tend to eat less because of that volume,” confirms Palinski-Wade. Make—or purchase—soups that contain lean chicken or meat, beans, and lots of veggies for a great way to increase your intake of protein and fiber.
Potatoes
Secret fat burner: Resistant starch
Not all white carbs are evil. Potatoes, for example, are one of the most filling foods around—white potatoes contain 4.7 grams of fiber, about the same as an apple. That means when you eat potatoes you’ll feel full faster and eat less. And potatoes don’t provide just empty calories. The tubers contain a variety of nutrients—including potassium, which can help regulate sodium in the body and prevent fluid retention and bloating. If you let your boiled potatoes cool before eating them, they’ll form resistant starch, which takes longer to digest, and can help promote weight loss.
Cinnamon
Secret fat burner: Cinnamaldehyde
This spice can help curb a craving for sweets and keep blood sugar levels stable. “Cinnamon is slightly thermogenic—it slightly increases metabolism,” explains Palinski-Wade. “Cinnamon also helps the body regulate insulin. And when you’re not getting a big spike of insulin, you’re less likely to store fat.” Cinnamaldehyde, the active ingredient in cinnamon, may be responsible for the fat-burning effect. Add cinnamon to coffee, oatmeal, yogurt, or recipes, then reduce the sugar—cinnamon adds flavor without calories. Find out more about how cinnamon can help you lose weight.
Watermelon
Secret fat burner: Water
Watermelon is 92 percent water, and that means that in addition to helping you stay hydrated, it can fill you up (and satisfy your sweet tooth) for almost no calories. The melon isn’t only water, though; it also contains the antioxidant lycopene plus vitamin A and C. For the ultimate treat, pick a melon that’s perfectly ripe.
Kale and spinach
Secret fat burner: Thylakoids
Dark leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are perfect weight loss foods for several reasons. “They provide so much volume for so few calories,” says Palinski-Wade. “And they’re a really good source of vitamin C, which moderates stress hormones, and magnesium, which helps convert food to energy.” In addition, these greens are packed full of other nutrients like vitamin A and folate, iron (in spinach), calcium, and vitamin C (in kale). If you’re unfamiliar with thylakoids, you should know that they’re a structure in green plants involved with photosynthesis. They also bind with dietary fat, preventing absorption and helping shrink stores of body fat, according to recent research. Thanks to the high levels in leafy greens, these foods can help you feel full and eat less. Next, find out more fat-burning foods proven to flatten your belly.
38/38 SLIDES
The post 5 Reasons to Consider Chaga Mushrooms appeared first on The Healthy.
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