This great article from Sheri Strykowski about metabolism boosting foods and how to increase metabolism that is sure to have you nodding your head in agreement but there are a few that will probably be new to you as well.
Here are 10 metabolism boosting foods that will increase your metabolism and help you lose weight by boosting metabolism
I have made comments in bold just to highlight some of my own opinions on how to increase metabolism.
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!
How to Increase Metabolism
1. Water – A new study seems to indicate that drinking water actually speeds up weight loss and is a great way how to increase metabolism. 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 extracts boost 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 health-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 does 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 loss and boost metabolism. 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 – Over 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.
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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 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 than those who ate a low-dairy diet containing the same number of calories. Low-fat yogurt is a rich source of -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 and probiotics 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 and boost 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.
Metabolism Boosting Foods
Here’s how these 10 fat-blasting superstars help you lose and how to increase metabolism.
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 how to increase 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 that is really built to boost metabolism.
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. Tell us all your Metabolism Boosting Foods in the comments below.
I am 44 years old and have for many years gained , about 60 lbs, my physician got me to change diet. A diet consisting of mostly carbohydrates with low glycemic index and low-fat source of protein.
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I am 46, and have been putting on for last 12 years. On and off I go on a diet and exercise. However, when i exercise (last year i did about 1000 claries a day on ellipticals). I restrict my deit to salads and soups. However my metabolism is so slow that i barley loose 2 punds in 3 weeks. My friends exercise same as i do and the y shed pounds like crazy.
Once i get frustrated and get off the schedule, i gan more than i loose. So that is how i ended up to 245. Since last month (sept. 15) i have not had rice or wheat (or any carbs). I have lost a couple of pounds and I exrecise to about 600 callories a day, But the rate is slow. So people tell me that by doing these on/off diets, i have screwed up my metabolism. Being s vegeterain, they say that i dont get anought protins to increase my meta. Is that true? should i resume eating chicken, which i gave my since 1999?
I am so tired of this process, but if i quit now, 275 is knocking on my door 🙁
is it possible to lose 30 pounds in 49 days with this stuff as a diet and tied with 30-45 minute exercise daily?
also is taking grapefruit pills as effective as eating a real grapefruit?
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 🙂
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.
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’m looking for some more great tips on 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.
email me at katie_schincke@hotmail.com
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??
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 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!!!!
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.
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.
Good luck to everyone in your adventures to sexyness. May The Force Be With You!
Cool website some useful information. thanx 4 that!
3 months ago my was about 280 now i 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 very hard i know u just have to put your mind to it and almost anything is possible………THANK YOU……..PEACE OUT………
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???
If you want to lose 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!
Very interesting article, thanks. I think i may have to start eating these foods a little mre often.
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.