Need to shed a pound or two? You are probably doing all the usual dieting basics. Watching what you eat, trying to reduce calories, and adding some exercise to the mix. Despite all the things that you are doing it’s still VERY hard to lose weight.
What you need to ADD to the mix is a boost to your metabolism. After asking around I discovered there are quite a few things in my diet already that are actually good for boosting the metabolism.
Some of them are:
1. Green Tea. Not only a good source for anti-oxidants, however, it actually boosts your metabolism too. Try some brewed iced green tea. It is not only a healthier alternative to soda, Snapple and other chemically laden beverages; it will also rev up your metabolism.
2. Spicy Foods. Just add some hot read peppers over your pasta or to your egg white omelet and you may boost your metabolism as much as 8%. Spicy foods heat up the body, therefore, to cool down your body requires calories, meaning an increase in your metabolism. Here is 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.
3. Cold Water. Not only does filling up with 8+ glasses of water a day curb your appetite and help flush away toxins and waste, however, it will also increase your metabolic rate. Studies have suggested that five or six ice cold glasses of water could help you burn about 10 extra calories a day.
4. Fiber Rich Food. Add oatmeal to your diet. Its rich in fiber, low in cholesterol. Just make sure to choose steel cut or rolled oats, sorry no instant oatmeal – you won’t get the full benefit of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
5. Soup. Soup is a wonderful appetite suppressant because it’s made up of a mostly of liquids. Be sensible and use a water based broth with lots of vegetables and lean protein like chicken or turkey. You will eat less and burn fat faster by filling up first with a bowl of soup.
6. Grapefruit. No wonder some diets consist of grapefruit as the main course. The unique chemical properties in this vitamin C packed fruit reduce insulin levels, which burn fat and promote weight loss.
7. Add Fruit. Fruit eaters eat fewer calories overall. Great at satisfying those sugar cravings. Fruit like apples and pears are generally low in calories but high in fiber making you feel full longer so you eat less.
8. Broccoli. This nutritious vegetable is part of the cabbage family and has plenty of vitamin A, folate, and fiber. Broccoli not only fights fat but also contains powerful phytochemicals that boost your immunity and protect against disease.
9. Yogurt. It includes calcium, protein and many other nutrients plus good bacteria for your digestive tract.
10. Lean Protein.Turkey and Chicken – protein can help boost metabolism, lose fat and build lean muscle tissue so you burn more calories.
Lastly, consider all natural herbal metabolism boosters as a supplement to all the above!
Jennifer Hughs
