Chili peppers
Spicy foods like chili peppers kick-start your metabolism, and they may also help you stick to your healthy eating goals. According to a 2011 study from Purdue University, capsaicin (the active component that gives chili peppers their heat) may help prevent weight gain.
Researchers found that participants who ate capsaicin-rich foods had fewer cravings for fatty, salty, and sweet foods, as well as a lower preoccupation with eating in general.
To reap the fat-burning benefits, “add chili peppers to an omelet, salads, or stir fry, or just bite right in,” says Sass.
