It appears that the mineral calcium burns stored fat, while promoting the buildup of more muscle tissue. This unique combination of calcium and protein, which is present in milk, yogurt, and cheese, helps the body to bum fat and store protein. Remember, nonfat milk and low-fat cheeses, and non-fat or low-fat yogurts have the same minerals, vitamins, protein, and calcium as whole milk without the added fat content.Several new studies have shown that people who regularly drink skim milk and eat yogurt lose an average of 1 1/2 pounds per month, with no change whatsoever in their diets. It is believed that calcium decreases the stores of fat in the fat cells by actually burning stored fat. Also, it is thought that the protein present in milk, yogurt, and cheese replaces the fat stored in the fat cells by its unique process of providing extra protein to the body's cells. This protein is used by the body's cells as the natural building blocks to activate all of the body's cells, tissues, and organs' metabolic functions. A recent study at the University of Tennessee suggests that the calcium found in these foods actually blocks fat storage in the cells that plump up your abdomen, thighs, and hips. Another similar study reported in Quebec showed that taking at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day increases the good (HOL) cholesterol and decreases the bad (LOL) cholesterol. And as far as your diet is concerned, fat-free milk contains 220 milligrams of calcium and only 80 calories per glass.What better snack food than a glass of skim milk could you find, that lowers your cholesterol and reduces your waist size at the same time? When you combine these new findings with lowering the total fat intake in your diet, which naturally cuts calories, and by adding a moderate exercise program, you have the ideal weight reduction, fat-burning tip. Other high-calcium and fat-burning foods include cheese, tofu, nonfat cottage cheese, spinach and collard greens, and calcium-fortified fiuit juices; however, be careful of the high sugar content in fruit juices.Soy Products (Soy milk, soy yogurt, tofu, etc.)Soy contains natural phyto-nutrients called isoflavones. These plant chemicals break down the fat, which is stored in your body's fat cells. Several studies have confirmed that the consumption of soy products on a regular basis helps dieters bum fat and lose weight without any other alteration in their diets.These isoflavones present in soy also have been shown to reduce the incidence of heart disease. In addition to helping you lose weight by breaking down the stored fat in your body, isoflavonesalso break down saturated fat in your blood, thus lowering the LOL bad cholesterol. Soy products are good for the heart and great for your figure.