Losing weight is never an easy task, especially when you are told to cut foods out of your diet that you usually enjoy indulging in. We’re always informed to stay away from soda, sugary foods, and anything processed if we want a faster metabolism and lower weight. But what is a metabolism anyway? A metabolic rate is the number of calories we burn in a day, which becomes one percent more sluggish with each year after the age of 30. With a statistic as such who wouldn’t want to boost their metabolism? Boosting your metabolism is not as difficult as you may think. With a few easy foods to add to your diet, you can increase that metabolic rate, or as I like to simply put it – burn more calories while eating! I know I am more interested in what I should eat and can indulge in to boost my metabolism and get rid of those extra calories.
Hot Peppers
Spicing up your food definitely boosts your metabolism and helps with weight loss. Hot peppers, including cinnamon, contain capsaicin, which temporarily increases the body’s metabolic rate and blood circulation. Ever notice yourself work up a sweat after eating something spicy? That’s because your body heats up and has to work and burn calories to get back to a cooler temperature. This chemical can even last up to 3 hours, which may result in boosting your metabolism up to 25%.
Coffee
That’s right, coffee. The caffeine in coffee gives your central nervous system and metabolism an extra 5-8% boost to keep it going faster and burn a little over 100 calories each day. Be careful not to overdue it on the cream and sugar, though. Those additives do nothing for your metabolism.
Greek Yogurt
Low-fat Greek Yogurt is a great food for boosting your metabolism and losing weight due to the loads of protein and calcium it contains. Greek yogurt has twice the amount of protein regular yogurt has. The loads of protein keep your body feeling full for a longer period of time. Yogurt is also known to normalize your digestive tract, which keeps your body healthy and regulated.
Broccoli
Broccoli contains not one but two highly effective metabolism boosting elements, vitamin C and calcium. Studies show that calcium supports weight loss and activates your metabolism, while vitamin C aids your body in captivating more calcium. Broccoli also contains phytochemicals that defend your body from disease, all the while being exceptionally low in calories. Freshly cut or sautéed with other veggies, broccoli is vital for your diet.
Oatmeal
Starting your day off with breakfast is one of most crucial steps in speeding up your metabolism. One of the top breakfast options, however, is oatmeal. It’s the best option to jumpstart your day boosting your metabolism and burning off those calories. It’s loaded in fat-soluble fiber, which burns a lot of calories while being broken down and lowering your body’s insulin levels – all the while boosting your metabolism!
Bonus: Purified Iced Water
I know water is technically not a food per se, but it is an easy way to majorly boost your metabolism. When your body consumes cold water, it instantaneously enhances your metabolism. Water also helps with the flow of nutrients throughout the body, suppresses appetite, and is a great detoxifier. Drink up!
