A higher metabolism can only increase your chances of weight-loss success. Eating foods that speed up your metabolism will help your body to burn energy, which in turn, will help you meet your weight loss goals faster.
Below is a list highlighting five metabolism boosting foods. Try them out over the next few weeks, and hopefully you’ll notice a difference.
Grapefruit
Nope, we are not suggesting you jump on the fad diet of the 80s, but grapefruit is known to speed up your metabolism by lowering your insulin levels. Lower insulin levels will make your body more efficient at using food for energy rather than storing it as fat. Another bonus is that grapefruit is full of fiber. Fiber will keep you feeling full longer and help avoid all that mindless snacking. Consider replacing a breakfast bagel or doughnut with grapefruit in the morning to kick-start your day. Grapefruit can also make a tasty dessert and a low-calorie alternative to cake, ice cream or other sweets.
Yogurt
There are many ways to introduce yogurt into your daily diet. From plain low-fat yogurt (boost the taste with a teaspoon of honey) to using yogurt as a substitute for mayonnaise. There are lots of great recipes that use yogurt online. The important thing to note for this discussion is that yogurt is high in protein and calcium and low in fat. Lots of protein will keep you feeling full all day and boost your metabolism as your body processes it. Calcium is great at protecting lean muscle mass, which is critical when dieting, because muscle mass is essential for maintaining a high metabolism.
Green Tea
Not only is green tea an antioxidant, but it is also rich in substances that are beneficial for health. Numerous studies have shown that green tea can increase fat burning and help you lose weight. Green tea contains a small amount of the stimulant caffeine, which has been shown in numerous studies to aid fat burning and improve exercise performance. Where green tea really shines is with the antioxidant EGCG. EGCG is effective at fighting belly fat and is known to have some cancer-fighting properties. You really can’t beat that combination. So next time, skip the coffee break and try some green tea.
Spices
A great way to kick-start your metabolism and your meals is to add spices. Many spices, such as cayenne, cumin, ginger, garlic, black pepper, cardamom and dandelions, are supported by reams of research that they help the body burn fat. Not only do they burn fat, but they also make your meals taste great. Research shows that if you don’t like the taste of what you eat, you’re not going to stick to any diet. So next time, give your dish and your metabolism a kick and add some spices.
Water
While technically, not a food, water is an essential component for any weight loss program. Water helps increase your metabolism in two ways. First, a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that drinking water (around 17oz) increased metabolic rate by 30 percent in healthy men and women. Second, water keeps you hydrated and even mild dehydration will slow your metabolism by as much as 3 percent. Another bonus for dieters, studies have shown, drinking a glass or two of water before you eat can fill you up and naturally suppress your appetite.
