Best Metabolism Boosting Foods
Metabolism Boosting Food
Your body is a well-designed piece of intelligent machinery. One mechanism that is responsible for many functions within the human body is your metabolism. In the simplest term, your metabolism is the process of your body converting what you eat and drink into energy. This is a rather complex biochemical process that takes the calories from what you consume and combines them with oxygen to release as energy to various parts of the body.
If you have a good or high metabolism, you are a person with great energy levels and you generally feel great most of the time. If you have a slow metabolism, your body is not creating this much-needed energy and you probably feel tired most of the time and lack the desire to engage in physical activity. A slow metabolism also can result in weight gain. If the energy from food doesn’t get to your cells, it will be converted to fat.
You can boost or increase your metabolism by eating and drinking the right substances. Fortunately, most of them are everyday grocery items. Here are some of the best metabolism-boosting foods, you may already have in your pantry.
1. Eggs
These delicious energy capsules are a favorite with bodybuilders and other active people because they are rich in protein. One egg contains about 6.5 grams of protein and it boosts your metabolism because it takes more energy to digest and egg, than it would take to digest a sandwich. This slower rater of digestion means the energy is released slowly into your body, rather than in a high burst.
2. Legumes
Think beans and lentils. They are delicious and cheap. More importantly, they can do wonders to boost your metabolism. Part of the reason legumes and pulses are so good for boosting metabolism is that they are rich in iron. Iron is necessary as it helps the oxygen flow more freely throughout your body, delivering the necessary nutrients and energy to your cells. They are also rich in fiber and protein giving your body all the fuel it needs.
3. Chili Peppers
If you love spicy food, here’s another reason to indulge more often. Chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin. Nutritionists believe that capsaicin increases your body’s ability to burn fat. It also decreases your appetite because it gives the feeling of being full. Don’t overlook the fact that chili peppers also have other vitamins and minerals.
4. Chocolate
Before you go rushing out to buy all your favorite candy bars, put the brakes on. Consuming this delicious treat is not without its compromises. The products we get from the cacao plant are raw cacao butter and dark cocoa. Both have shown to be beneficial in boosting metabolism, but not when they are mixed with copious amounts of unhealthy fats and sugar, as you would find in many of the mass-produced chocolates in the supermarket. The take advantage of the health benefits and metabolism-boosting powers of chocolate, stick to dark chocolate without all the added flavorings.
5. Lean Meat
Your body needs protein to function and what better way than by consuming lean meat. Your body needs to work hard to digest lean proteins and this results in a slow release of energy. Lean meat and protein are a great way to boost your metabolism. Energy from these foods is released slowly, so your body will tap into other energy sources, like that layer of fat you’ve been trying to get rid of. Choose lean cuts of beef, pork or chicken. You can also alternate, and you should, fish and seafood.
6. Coffee
Good news for those who can’t function without their daily dose of caffeine. The caffeine in your morning cup can stimulate your body’s metabolism and fat-burning abilities. Like chocolate though, if you start adding shovel loads of sugar and syrups, you’re wasting your time. You may feel the initial boost from the caffeine and sugar, but when the energy high wears off, you’ll feel very sluggish. Decaffeinated coffee is also not worth the effort as it is the caffeine that helps to boost metabolism.
7. Oats
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and oats are a deliciously quick dish you can put together in minutes or even the night before. Oats are great at keeping insulin levels low so you won’t get the sugar rush that most commercial cereals give you. They are also rich in fiber and as it takes your body considerable time to digest oats, it’s burning calories in the process. You can prepare oats quickly on the stove or microwave, but if you’re not much of a morning person, mix your oats with your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk at night and they’ll be ready to eat in the morning.
8. Berries
Berries are those tiny fruits often referred to as natural candy. Things like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are rich in antioxidants and have a positive effect on your metabolism. They also stabilize blood sugar levels and can help your body burn fat. Best of all, they are delicious and a great accompaniment to have any time of the day.
9. Nuts & Seeds
Whole nuts and seeds are loaded with dietary fiber and take your body a while to digest. This makes them a great boost to your metabolism. They are also rich in essential fatty acids such as Omega-3. The other positives of eating nuts and seeds are that they have anti-inflammatory properties and can boost your circulation. Use them in cooking or eat them as a healthy snack.
10. Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, or silver beets are a rich source of plant-based iron. The high iron content is the main mineral that helps boost your metabolism because it helps carry oxygen around your body. This means your fat-burning ability is boosted and nutrients reach your cells faster. You can easily boost your metabolism with green leafy vegetables and pair them with cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, and broccoli for a little variety.
One thing you will notice is that most, if not all, metabolism-boosting foods are whole foods. If you needed another good reason to ditch over-processed foods, think of boosting your metabolism with healthier, whole foods.
