1.    Ginger

This root has the spice it takes to get your metabolism running laps. It’s a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels to increase body heat and metabolism by as much as 20 percent.

2.    Garlic

This spicy bulb is known as a thermogenic, packing enough power to keep insulin levels low to maximize fat-burning and boost metabolism. Garlic also supports a healthy immune system.

3.    Plums

Mother Nature’s “eliminator.” Plums are a great source of fiber, which can help keep you regular an important (and often overlooked) piece of your fat-loss puzzle. Just one plum has up to two grams of fiber, or about eight percent of your daily recommended intake (which is around 25 grams per day).

4.    Extra-virgin olive oil

Recent study suggests that monounsaturated fats increase the breakdown of fat in fat cells. Also, swapping other fats, like saturated oils and butter, for extra-virgin olive oil is a better, waist-happy option overall. However, keep in mind that it is still fat ( at 9 calories per fat gram) so let’s keep it to a tablespoon per serving.

5.    Balsamic vinegar

A Harvard study looked at the benefits of this ancient goodness and found that it not only carries essential enzymes to help digestion and boost metabolism, but it’s also a natural appetite suppressant. And if that wasn’t enough, the amino acids in balsamic vinegar have been shown to slow the effects of aging.

6.    Spinach

The iron maiden of leafy greens. Spinach is a fat-free way to get a dose of iron to help boost energy when you’re pumping iron at bootcamp. Unlike red meat (which is also packed with iron, but contains fat) spinach is a good choice for vegetarians or people who have a difficult time digesting meat. Not to mention that it’s portable, less expensive and easy to eat on the go.