10 Foods That Increase Metabolism
10 foods that increase metabolism When a health or fitness
professional refers to “metabolism”, he or she is speaking of the series of
chemical processes that must take place in order for the food you eat to be
converted into energy to fuel your body.
The speed at which these processes take place varies from
individual to individual, and is faster for some and slower for others. Those
who burn calories quickly are said to have a “fast” metabolism while those who
take longer to convert their calories are said to have a “slow” metabolism.
To a certain degree, the factors which make a person’s
metabolism fast or slow are beyond his control since they encompass such
factors as age, sex, heredity, etc. There is a correlation between the speed of
one’s metabolism and how quickly they lose or gain weight.
Aerobic exercise and strength training exercises are two
ways a person can “speed up” his metabolism, but did you know that in many
cases that a body’s metabolism can be increased simply by choosing to eat
particular foods? It’s true!
The following foods are all known to rev the body’s
metabolism, causing it to burn calories more quickly.
Foods To Increase Metabolism
01. Grapefruit — Research has consistently shown grapefruit to
be a top metabolism boosting food. People who ate half of a grapefruit with
each meal for twelve weeks lost almost four pounds each without making any
other changes to their diet.
02. Apples and Pears — Studies have shown that overweight women
who eat three apples or pears per day lose weight faster than women who don’t
eat fruit. An additional benefit is that women who eat fruit tend to eat less
overall!
03. Lean meats — Lean meats are natural metabolism boosting
foods. Try lean turkey, chicken or beef. Because they take more energy to
digest than many other foods, they make your metabolism work harder.
04. Hot Peppers — Canadian university researchers have
discovered that consumption of hot peppers such as jalapeno and cayenne peppers
causes the body to temporarily release stress hormones which in turn rev the
metabolism.
05. Broccoli — Not only does this phyto-chemical and fiber loaded
vegetable increase the speed at which your body burns fat, but it also helps
you to feel full and prevents cancer, as well!
06. Oatmeal — Oatmeal is one of the foods that increase
metabolism by both taking longer to digest, since it is a complex carbohydrate,
and by keeping your insulin levels steady, which prevents fat from being stored
in the body.
07. Nuts — Nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, are nutrient dense
and full of the sort of healthful fatty acids that are good for you. High in protein,
they satisfy a person’s craving for something crunchy and they put the
metabolism into high gear as they slowly digest.
08. Beans — It matters not what type, Black Beans, Kidney Beans,
Anasazi Beans … they’re all loaded with good fiber and will give your digestive
system a workout. Insulin levels remain stable when the crab consumed is as
complex as those offered by all varieties of beans, and the protein level is
high.
09. Legumes — Ditto everything listed under number eight above.
Peanuts, Black-eyed Peas, and soybeans (tofu) are all excellent and nutritious
choices which will give your digestive system plenty to work on without making
you fat. Legumes are one of the top metabolism boosting foods.
10. Water — Drinking water speeds weight loss and is as invigorating
to the body as a cup of coffee. Without adequate water intake the body is not
able to function as it should. Every person who wishes to speed his or her
metabolism and/or to lose weight needs to make certain that he/she drinks at
least eight ounces of pure, filtered water daily.
Small changes to one’s diet, attempted gradually, generally
have better results than whole-sale changes instituted all at once. Add just
one of the foods that increase metabolism per day and watch your energy
increase and the pounds begin to melt away!
Make sure to share this article with your friends and
family!
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