Foods That Speed Up Metabolism

If you’re interested in losing weight, you’ve probably heard a lot of sources talking about metabolism. You know that a faster metabolism often equals more weight loss, but why exactly is this the case?

Metabolism is a process within your body that converts the calories in food into energy. This means that if you have a faster metabolism, your body will be able to burn more calories. If your metabolism is slower, more of those calories will get stored as fat.

Metabolism is largely related to genes and age, but it is possible to make changes to your diet that will help speed it up. Here are some foods that are proven metabolism boosters.

Chicken

It should come as no surprise that foods high in protein are some of the best for boosting your metabolism. Anyone who hits the gym regularly will tell you that protein is important for building and maintaining muscle, which in turn makes it easier for your body to lose unwanted weight.

However, lean proteins like chicken are also great for boosting your metabolism. High-protein foods take work to digest; therefore, your metabolism has to kick into overdrive to process them, burning more calories in the process.

Seaweed

Seaweed may not have a place on many menus, but its health benefits may have you rethinking this unusual green. It is rich in nutrients that can make you healthier. One nutrient, iodine, is of particular interest to anyone looking to ramp up their metabolism.

According to studies, iodine is a vital mineral for thyroid health. One of the thyroid’s primary functions is regulating your metabolism, so ensuring the health of your thyroid is a great way to boost your metabolism. A few servings of seaweed every week can help you get the iodine that your body needs for this important function.

Avocado

Unlike seaweed, this green vegetable is one of the trendiest foods around. It is also one of the healthiest. Avocadoes are full of “good fats,” making them a nutrition powerhouse. These good fats are also shown by scienceto boost your body’s metabolism and help you burn fat quickly and easily.

Seafood

Much like other lean meats, seafood is a great source of protein, which is an important dietary component for anyone looking to lose weight. However, seafood has other attributes that make it one of the best metabolism boosters.

Seafood has high amounts of iron and selenium: two nutrients that scientists agree are important for your thyroid metabolism. If you don’t consume enough iron and selenium, your thyroid will struggle to produce the hormones it needs to keep your metabolism running.

Deficiencies in these nutrients will slow your metabolism and make it difficult to lose weight. Adding seafood to your diet is one of the best ways to keep these processes running smoothly and quickly.

Coconut Oil

A lot of recipes require some sort of cooking oil. Lately, many health and fitness experts have been recommending coconut oil as a healthy cooking fat. There is a good reason for this: coconut oil has an abundance of health benefits and is considered a “good fat.” It turns out that it is also great for your metabolism.

Coconut oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides. Studies indicate that MCTs can boost your metabolism significantly, perhaps as much as 8%.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a great snack; it is a sweet treat that is packed with protein and other nutrients. One component of yogurt, probiotics, has been getting a lot of attention. Probiotics are healthy bacteria shown to be beneficial for digestion. These digestive benefits can mean a faster metabolism as well.

Probiotics from foods like yogurt can actually change the makeup of your digestive system, allowing your body to break down foods more efficiently. This change can lead to greater weight loss.

Chilli Peppers

Chilli peppers are great for spicing up your food, but are they also a key component of a healthy metabolism? According to some research, they are. Chilli peppers contain a chemical called capsaicin; this chemical has been proven to increase the rate at which the body processes food into energy.

In fact, the research suggests that adding food rich in capsaicin to your diet can help you burn 50 more calories each day without changing anything else about your diet or exercise.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has recently gained a reputation as a superfood. Consuming even a small amount of this liquid regularly can have amazing health benefits. Increased metabolism is one of them.

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid: a fatty acid that prompts your body to decrease the amount of fat it is storing and burn more calories instead. Research indicates that including this fatty acid on your diet can have significant positive effects on your body’s metabolism.

Coffee

Good news for caffeine lovers: there is significant research to suggest that caffeine found in beverages such as coffee can actually increase your metabolism. In fact, it can boost your calorie burning capabilities by as much as 7% for three hours after you consume it.

Caffeinated beverages such as coffee are particularly beneficial for the metabolism if you consume them before a workout. The extra energy from the caffeine will improve your performance, increasing your metabolism even more.

Dark Chocolate

Dessert lovers have cause for celebration as well; it turns out that cocoa has components that make it a metabolism booster. Specifically, the unique properties of cocoa, the primary ingredient in most chocolate, can actually prevent your body from absorbing some of the calories that you eat.

Cocoa can also be extremely useful in boosting your metabolism by encouraging your body to burn fat stores to create energy. Because dark chocolate contains the highest percentage of cocoa (and less of other, less healthful, ingredients), this treat is the best option for dieters with a sweet tooth.

Lentils

Lentils are a staple for health-conscious individuals who put their focus on plant-based nutrition. This tiny legume packs a huge amount of protein, making it an important source of nutrition for those who choose to forgo meat.

As it turns out, lentils are also a great option for anyone looking to speed up their metabolism. Lentils contain an amino acid called L-arginine. This particular acid, according to researchers, boosts your body’s abilities to break down carbohydrates and fats into energy. This means that your body’s natural metabolism will be better equipped to use the components of the foods that you eat, leaving less to be stored as fat.

Ginger

There are quite a few spices that research has shown to be metabolism enhancers. One of the most lauded is ginger. The research indicates that dissolving ginger into hot water and drinking it along with your meals can help you burn 43 more calories each day. This method is also shown to decrease feelings of hunger throughout the day, making it a great option for anyone looking to slim down.

Are You Incorporating These Foods In To Your Diet?

Making major changes to your diet can be daunting, but adding just a few of these amazing metabolism boosters can have a huge impact on your body’s ability to burn fat. The next time you hit the grocery store, stock up on the above superfoods. Your metabolism will thank you!