How to Burn Calories Without Exercise

Getty Images
Getty Images

By Denise Schipani


Splurging on a gym membership isn't the only way to weight loss. What you eat is obviously important, but how you eat can also help you reach your goal weight. Click through for nutrition tips that could help boost your metabolism. Try these pointers for yourself and you could drop 10 pounds-no sweat! Photo by Getty Images.


Rev Up Your Metabolism with...

Healthy Fats

Research has found that eating fat for breakfast turns on your fat-burning switch and helps your body use more calories all day long.

Try these foods in the A.M.:

2 eggs cooked in 1 Tbsp olive or canola oil

2 Tbsp peanut butter on whole-wheat toast

Sliced avocado on English muffin with 1 slice of cheese

Cold Water

One study showed that drinking two 8-oz glasses of water increased metabolism by 30%-and cold water boosted the burn a bit more.

Sip a glass of water (or unsweetened iced tea, which will also give you a shot of caffeine) with each meal. For added flavor-and vitamin C-drop sliced lemon into a pitcher of water and let it sit overnight in the fridge before drinking.

Whole Grains

Research shows that your body uses more calories digesting fresh foods, like whole grains, versus the processed stuff.

Transition to whole grains by following the "half" rule. In pasta dishes, start out by using half whole-grain and half white. Mix your regular cereal with ½ cup of the high-fiber variety (at least 3 g per serving).

Spices

Ginger and cinnamon raise your body temperature, so your metabolism speeds up slightly to cool it down.

Sprinkle 1 tsp grated ginger into oatmeal, smoothies and lemon-lime seltzer. Add a pinch of cinnamon to a bowl of butternut squash soup.


Related: Discover healthy afternoon snacks that keep you full.


Smart Swaps to Fuel Your Slimdown

Breakfast

Swap Out: 1 cup blueberries

Swap In: 1 cup sliced strawberries

A cup of strawberries has 130% of your daily dose of vitamin C-a nutrient your body needs to burn fat-whereas blueberries contain just about 20%.

Lunch

Swap Out: An 8" flour tortilla

Swap In: A 6" corn tortilla

Opting for the corn version in tacos and quesadillas saves about 100 calories and delivers 100% whole grains, which take more energy to digest.

Afternoon Snack

Swap Out: Hummus

Swap In: Greek yogurt dip

You burn more calories digesting protein than any other nutrient, and Greek yogurt has 11.5 g per ½ cup. Mix ½ cup plain Greek yogurt + ½ cucumber, grated + 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice + 2 Tbsp chopped dill or mint.

Dinner

Swap Out: Soy sauce

Swap In: Curry powder

Curry contains curcumin, a compound that helps control hormones linked to weight gain. Try 1 to 2 Tbsp curry powder instead of soy sauce (which can cause bloating, too) in your next stir-fry.

Dessert

Swap Out: A fudge pop

Swap In: 1 oz dark chocolate

A new study shows that people who ate more dark chocolate weighed less. The researchers suspect antioxidants in chocolate may boost metabolism.


Related: Check out 50 surprising foods under 100 calories.


Peel Off Pounds with a Pill?

Raspberry ketones are the latest supplement that promises to help you lose weight, but experts caution against ketones (compounds that give raspberries their sweet smell) for two reasons:

1. The supplements have much higher concentrations of ketones than raspberries do.

2. The only research showing their effectiveness has been done in mice. "These huge amounts are yet to be studied in humans and could cause side effects," says WD nutrition expert Joy Bauer, RD. So steer clear!


Related: Explore these 8 surprising health benefits of sex.

Fun Ways to Burn

Did you know these boredom-busting activities can burn hundreds of calories?

200 Calories

Shop at the mall
60 minutes

Go bowling
45 minutes

Hula-hoop
30 minutes

Play Ping-Pong
35 minutes

100 Calories

Ice skate
15 minutes

Call a friend and stand while you talk
45 minutes

Bathe your dog
30 minutes

Dance
15 minutes


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