We all know it is hard to lose weight, and even harder to shed fat without losing muscle. To truly transform yourself with fast fat loss you will need to closely monitor what you eat. The thermic effects of food play a crucial role in fat loss, and this is key to successful fat burning diets.

"Thermic effect of food" is really just referring to how the body expends energy as it deals with food...the digestion, distribution, excretion, and storage; that is, the metabolic process. Our bodies expend energy every day by exercising, breathing, working, even sleeping. This activity results in burning calories, which in turn helps us lose weight. Below I shall review the foods that can be added to fat burning diets, so that your body's fat burning potential will be maximized.

Most of us are unaware of the thermic effects of food, and will simply eat whatever we want, whenever we want. The end result is often that this food is unhealthy, and will not help reach your fat loss goals.

Protein requires the greatest amount of energy to process at approximately 30% above your resting metabolic rate. Fat, however, only raises your body's metabolic rate by about 2-3%. In the middle falls carbohydrates. Once we know this we realize that by eating protein we can raise our body's metabolic rate, and this will help us burn more calories. However, not all proteins are created equal, and some are better for fat burning diets.

Examples of great protein sources include fish, poultry, meat, and egg whites. For best fat burning results, always choose lean meats and skinless chicken. Milk is also a valuable source of protein but make sure to drink only a skimmed variety.

Foods that are catabolic burn more calories than they supply, and are a key part in all fat burning diets. Many fruits and vegetables, such as apples, berries, celery, and lettuce, are highly catabolic. When you combine high protein and highly catabolic foods in fat burning diets you will discover that losing weight is easier than ever.

When you combine an effective fitness program with these simple dietary guidelines you'll find yourself easily burning fat. Please visit my site to learn more about fat burning diets.