Here are 10 foods that will increase your metabolism and help you lose weight. This great article from Sheri Strykowski is sure to have you nodding your head in agreement but there are a few that will probably be new to you as well. I have made comments in bold just to highlight some of my own opinions
Stoke your metabolic fire and burn calories faster with diet-friendly foods and beverages. Post this list on your fridge next to the photo of you in your “skinny jeans” and make a copy to bring with you the next time you shop for groceries.
Just remember: Calories count, portion control rules and there’s no substitute for a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. So get moving!
Here are the top picks culled from some of the latest research:
1. Water! A new study seems to indicate that drinking water actually speeds up weight loss. Researchers in Germany found that subjects of the study increased their metabolic rates (the rate at which calories are burned) by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water. Water is also a natural appetite suppressant that banishes bloat as it flushes out sodium and toxins. Drinking enough water will also help keep you from mistaking thirst for hunger. So drink up! Make sure that you are starting your day with a big big glass of water and drink throughout the day not just all at one time.
2. Green Tea! Studies show that green tea extract boosts metabolism and may aid in weight loss. This mood-enhancing tea has also been reported to contain anti-cancer properties and help prevent heart disease. It’s also a trendy drink among weight-conscious celebrities. You may Have already seen my green tea articles but this may be one really fantastic herb and it tastes nice too!
3. Soup! Eat less and burn fat faster by having a bowl of soup as an appetizer or a snack. According to a Penn State University study, soup is a super appetite suppressant because it’s made up of a hunger-satisfying combination of liquids and solids. In the study, women chose one of three 270-calorie snacks before lunch. Women who had chicken and rice soup as a snack consumed an average of 100 fewer calories than those in the study who opted for a chicken and rice casserole or the casserole and a glass of water. I used to joke that soup is not a meal but it really dies fill you for very few calories and remember that when you eat a food with a lot of taste it really will satisfy.
4. Grapefruit! The grapefruit diet is not a myth. Researchers at Scripps Clinic found that participants who ate half a grapefruit with each meal in a 12-week period lost an average of 3.6 pounds. The study indicates that the unique chemical properties in this vitamin C-packed citrus fruit reduce insulin levels, which promotes weight loss. NOTE: If you are taking medication, check with your doctor about any potentially adverse interactions with grapefruit. Grapefruit, because of the soft peel is a nice alternative to an apple of orange and study after study of the last 30 years has shown that it can really help burn fat.
5. Apples and Pears! Overweight women who ate the equivalent of three small apples or pears a day lost more weight on a low-calorie diet than women who didn’t add fruit to their diet, according to researchers from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Fruit eaters also ate fewer calories overall. So next time you need to satisfy a sugar craving, reach for this low-calorie, high-fiber snack. You’ll feel full longer and eat less.
6. Broccoli! Study after study links calcium and weight loss. Broccoli is not only high in calcium, but also loaded with vitamin C, which boosts calcium absorption. This member of the nutritious cabbage family also has plenty of vitamin A, folate and fiber. And, at just 20-calories per cup, this weight-loss superfood not only fights fat but also contains powerful phytochemicals that boost your immunity and protect against disease.
7. Low-Fat Yogurt! Dairy products can boost weight loss efforts, according to a study in the April issue of Obesity Research. People on a reduced-calorie diet who included three to four servings of dairy foods lost significantly more weight than those who ate a low-dairy diet containing the same number of calories. Low-fat yogurt is a rich source of weight-loss-friendly calcium, providing about 450 mg (about half the recommended daily allowance for women ages 19-50) per 8-ounce serving, as well as 12 grams of protein. As far as superfood go Yogurt is right there. It includes calcium, protein and a ton of other nutrients as well as good bacteria for you digestive tract.
8. Lean Turkey! Rev up your fat-burning engine with this bodybuilder favorite. Countless studies have shown that protein can help boost metabolism, lose fat and build lean muscle tissue so you burn more calories. A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless lean turkey breast weighs in at 120 calories and provides 26 grams of appetite-curbing protein, 1 gram of fat and 0 grams of saturated fat. With the price of chicken going up and up these days Turkey has become a great alternative. Remember that Turkey is a little tougher than chicken and the taste is a little different but it is not just for Thanksgiving and Christmas anymore.
9. Oatmeal! This heart-healthy favorite ranks high on the good carb list, because it’s a good source of cholesterol-fighting, fat-soluble fiber (7 grams per 3/4-cup serving) that keeps you full and provides you with the energy you need to make the most of your workouts. Just be sure to choose steel cut or rolled oats, not instant oatmeal, to get your full dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber. For many years now Pro Bodybuilders have relied on Oatmeal as a staple of their breakfast, it is amazingly high in nutrients.
10. Hot Peppers! Eating hot peppers can speed up your metabolism and cool your cravings, researchers at Laval University in Canada found. Here’s why: Capsaicin (a chemical found in jalapeno and cayenne peppers) temporarily stimulates your body to release more stress hormones, which speeds up your metabolism and causes you to burn more calories.
Here’s how these 10 fat-blasting superstars help you lose weight
-Each of these healthy weight-loss boosters fills you up and keeps you full longer on fewer calories.
-Water-rich fresh fruits, veggies and soup dilute the calories in your food and allow you to eat more without breaking the calorie bank.
-High-fiber fruit, vegetables and nutritious whole grains keep your digestive system on track and steady insulin levels, which prevents fat storage.
-Lean meat boosts metabolism and burns calories because it take more energy to digest than other foods.
Another Good way to raise your metabolism is to try a new diet that cycles your calories with some on day and other days off of your diet. This is a new style diet that works great, the name, Fat Loss 4 Idiots. Check out the review that I have done of the diet.
Sheri Strykowski is a freelance journalist who specializes in health, fitness and lifestyle. Her articles have appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Lerner newspapers and National Safety Council publications.
I thought green tea will not give any benefit in decreasing fat. Thanks to this article and it proved it to me that I’m wrong. Thank you for sharing.
The admonition against oatmeal is baseless. There is a snobbery in the oatmeal eating community that is very pernicious. Instant oatmeal is perfectly nutritious and fully equal to any of the cooked varieties. This falsehood needed to be lanced.
I think you need to screen your replies…..I don’t appreciate foul language….even abreviated at Tyran seems to think is appropriate. It’s never appropriate, so Tyran, learn the english language. It’s beautiful and there are many descriptive words in it that you could use to get your point across without having to get vular.
Thanks for your sharing on those foods that will increase our metabolism and help us lose weight. Appreciated it.
I agree. That comment passed the censor (me) and I have deleted it. It seems strange to me that as people try to lose weight and are working along towards their gols that you will still find people taking potshots at them and resorting to name calling for no apparent reason.
Can anyone help me with and eating plan? I am 7kg overweight and I can just NOT lose it. I have tried everything. I do not lose weight, so i just give up. What can i do to drop a few and how hard is it? Anyone have advice for me??
Please help out?
I never thought about peppers. I use all the other foods except grapefruit. i am not a huge fan
This may be a little off topic but:
A question keeps arising in my mind, if metabolism is spurred by aerobic exercise, which means more oxygen being used by the muscles, would/could the process be accelerated by the use of hydrogen peroxide? (More oxygen = more metabolism. Food grade 35 percent H2O2, about 20 drops in a half cup of juice, can be drank or diluted to 3.5% and breathed from an atomizer. What do you think? Would the muscles work easier with the increased oxygen, use up more calories and cause higher metabolism? = MORE FAT LOSS? Anyone have some thoughts on this? Please send email to admin@shapeupathome.com
yogurt will help you fight junk food loving bacteria in your stomach. Instead, it’s because low-fat yogurt is high in calcium and protein, while still having enough carb and fat content to help you feel full. Just be sure to steer away from yogurts with added sugar and artificial ingredients, which are often high in calories too.
Water is not food lol. But, it is the most important along with exercise. The others have insignificant effects.
Thanks
i’m agree with you
Apples and Pears good for the body because it contains ontiocsidant
Your article strengthen’s my belief in foods you mentioned. I didn’t know about apples and pears. I am a merchant marine our food choices on ships is better than most people realize. I am embarking on a weight loss mission to attain a better body mass index. I will take your article as good advice. Thank you
Rob
yogurt will help you fight junk food loving bacteria in your stomach. Instead, it’s because low-fat yogurt is high in calcium and protein, while still having enough carb and fat content to help you feel full. Just be sure to steer away from yogurts with added sugar and artificial ingredients, which are often high in calories too. At http://timhealthy.blogspot.com/2009/11/green-tea-weight-loss-has-been-talk-of.html you should check it out
thankyou for all the great ideas on losing weight! i just recently had a baby and want to get healthy and lose my weight!
also to that anita woman who doesn’t like vulgar language… first this is not your website and if you don’t like it you can leave. that is ridiculous and immature and i thought there was a thing called freedom of speech and atleast they weren’t disrespectful! so again thankyou for all the great ideas for the losing of weight! 
a thousand thank yous for putting this information up. :]
hey hey hey! relax guys this is just a great avenue to great advice. even fitness professionals find this info useful and apropriate to both our clients and ouselves. so use this for what it is, FREE EDUCATED ADVICE!
peace
I lost 40 pounds in the last 4 months by only drinking water, and eating portioned meals. I also ride my bike at least 2 times a week and do stretch excersizes every morning .I still drink alcohol and smoke. Just doing this alone has helped me a lot.
I have tried all of these foods and they do work great. The only problem is I have acid reflux disease and to prevent flair ups, I have to also follow a diet that requires to stay away from most of these foods. I excercise on a regular basis, and watch my intake, but still cant loose the weight. Any Ideas?
I just read how SWEET POTATOES are good for improving one’s metabolism.
Unlike the ordinary potato, sweet potatoes have a rich assortment of vitamins and minerals, supposedly in a combination that helps burn off stored fat and improve metabolic rate.
Rated ‘Number One In Nutrition’ of all vegetables. See link below.
http://www.foodreference.com/html/sweet-pot-nutrition.html
Phil
I have given up coffee with 3 teaspoons of sugar ….3 times a day…and pop ..pepsi to be exact 3 weeks ago. I have lost 6 lbs so far
nice article about grapefruit…very informative and beneficial for me…thx
Hey Kim being a size one is not grossly unattractice. I happen to be a size one or two and am sexy as hell. All body types can be beautiful, at least in someone’s opinion.
I love Apples and Pears. I love to mix them with cottage cheese. Is this an unhealthy thing to do?
-Chris
Baby Scales
i need to burn fat fast help me my metabolism is really low
What about Oranges,Clementines, all the fruits in that family, why do they not compare to the grapefruit?
Eating a healthy snack between meals will boost your metabolism. I eat walnuts or cottage cheese.
I am on the “Master Cleanse” which recommends we don’t eat any solid foods at all. Instead, drink 6-12 glasses of a concoction with lime juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. And have a laxative tea at bedtime and a salt water flush in the morning (this part is for the colon cleansing). I am surprised that with this drink, I don’t feel too hungry even though now its been 4 days since I had any solid food. But I do have a worry that this might slow down my metabolism and that when i start eating again, i will both gain weight and feel tired a lot. I like to know if this is something others have experienced or have knowledge about (real knowledge, not theory or hearsay). Thanks.
i heard that if you drink green tea alot you get wrinkles..
You also need to avoid severe calorie restriction, as that will severely slow metabolism and also make you hold onto your fat reserves more aggressively. Coffee before exercise is said to increase calorie burning. However, how much you can boost your metabolism by any method will also depend on your body type. Endomorphs generally have a sluggish metabolism and really need to use exercise such as high intensity interval training to boost their metabolism.
This is also informative:
http://www.superskinnyme.com/increase_metabolism.html
I’m 6′, weigh 203 lbs. at age 63, diagnosed for clogged arteries. Doctor says go for bi-pass surgery, but I don’t trust the surgery, because it does not clean all the arteries, plus you still have to take medication for the rest of your life. Any suggestions for alternative treatment. I know my metabolism became very slow because I overate while being inactive for 3 years. How can I boost my metabolism to quickly burn at least 25 lbs. ????
To Mohinder S. Bains, If you take Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000mg. 2 times per day is good for your heart and a baby asprin ( 1 per day) also will help your heart . My husband was having high blood pressure and in doing this helped lower blood pressure. This came from his doctor. It helps clear your arteries.
Very interesting article, thanks. I think i may have to start eating these foods a little mre often.
If you want to lose weight then you need to CUT DOWN on all sugary foods and oily foods.Once you do that, start exercising everyday. You can sign up for an online calorie diary, and note down everything u eat n drink on it, and it will keep you updated as to how many calories you have consumed and how many are left.
And an imp thing to remember , eat your dinner early, make sure you dont anything 2 hours b4 your bedtime. Your metabolism is fast in the day time and slows down as evening sets in, so no food before going to bed.
Drink lots of water, set your goal and stay positive and focused. Make a routine, and Follow it. All the very best you guys!
I am 5’3″ and weigh 145lbs. although I have a good amount of muscle from ballet, my metabolism is low. Is there any one sport that helps boost metabolism faster than others???
3 months ago my weight was about 280 now i weight about 250-255, and all i did is drank proly almost a gallon of water a day but i love water, ate less than 2000 sometimes less than 1000 calories a day and did a little exercise once or twice a week.im 6′ so im still kind of big but i feel alot better than i did 3 months ago.it is hard to loss weight very hard i know u just have to put your mind to it and almost anything is possible………THANK YOU……..PEACE OUT………
Cool website some useful information. thanx 4 that!
Good luck to everyone in your adventures to sexyness. May The Force Be With You!
I just wanted this pretty lady below to know she is very pretty..
REPLY TO : low acid coffee says:
November 18, 2009 at 2:35 am
I thought green tea will not give any benefit in decreasing fat. Thanks to this article and it proved it to me that I’m wrong. Thank you for sharing.
Let’s get real… whether you drink tea or not isn’t one of those major factors in how fast you’re going to burn off body fat… it’s just a very minor detail.
Hi i just wanted to say this information is really accurate, because i lost 10 pounds in just 2 to 3 weeks, but i was also walking 30 minutes a day. I weighed like 260 i now weigh 240 and i am still loosing weight and every once in a while i eat something sweet, but i have to work out harder that day
well this info is very helpful thanks!!!!
hey m 14 a i weigh about 157 and im like 5’3. ive tried to losih by running and exersising everydabut it hasnt seemed to do anything for me. ive tried eating healthier also. can someone help me??
email me at katie_schincke@hotmail.com
Thanks for nice food…
I was fed up that daily dieting having no fun in eating..
i will try your tips to loss weight…thanks again…
I’m looking for some more great tips on weight loss. I recently had a baby, and during my pregnancy I gained 60 lbs. And now I can’t seem to lose any of it.
To improve your metabolic efficiency you only need to alter what you eat and what you do a little bit to experience a difference in how you look and feel.
I use to weigh 200 pounds and now 145… TRUST me… green tea is a GIVEN. Along with spinich, brocolli, apples, and water. I dropped 60 pounds in a few months. I got before and after pics. sexybutterfly1013@yahoo.com… facebook me if you wanna
i lost 10kgs in 3 months,i controlled my portions and made some changes in my diet routine,i introduced some stuff that may have regulated my metabolism,i added exercise twice a day too.
Hey everyone god bless you all for the healthy information IM going to start drinking just water and maybe crystal light as it only has 5 calories per serv
instead of soda and I am also going to start taking that fish oil thanks for all the information