Were you aware that there are certain foods that can speed up your metabolism helping you to burn fat and lose weight faster? I know it sounds a little too good to be true doesn’t it? But it actually is true, there are some foods that light your fat burning furnace and put your metabolism to work. If you can add these foods into your diet then you will be on your way to reaching your weight loss goal.
Before I tell you what these superfoods are, first I want to mention exercise. I know if you are overweight and have no energy you really don’t feel like exercising, but exercise will speed up your metabolism. When trying to lose weight you should always include some exercise in your daily routine, even if it is just a 15 to 20 minute walk. When you begin exercising and start increasing your muscle mass you will find your metabolism will work better.
The other factor, besides the superfoods that you are waiting to hear about, that affects your metabolic rate is how often you eat. With many diets you will reduce the number of calories that you eat and some diets you feel like you are just starving. The problem with diets that reduce food to almost nothing, is that your body realizes that you are eating less and adjusts your metabolism accordingly. So when you are eating less every day, then your metabolism will slow down and soon you will find it hard to lose anymore weight, even though you are still eating less. As long as you are eating the right foods then you can eat the required amount to keep your metabolism working fast.
Ok, I wont keep you in suspense any longer, let’s get down to business and tell you what types of foods will speed up your metabolism.
1. Fish – fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines are great for your overall health as they are a fantastic source of Omega-3 fatty acids and they are also great for boosting your metabolism. When you eat these fish the level of the hormone leptin will drop. Studies have shown that when leptin levels are low you lose more weight. If you don’t like fish then there is also the option of taking fish oil supplements to give you a similar effect.
2. Hot Spices – hot and spicy peppers like cayenne and jalapeno contain a substance called capsaicin and this is what gives them their heat. This substance also speeds up your metabolism and your body will continue to burn fat at a fast rate for up to three hours after eating these spices. So if you can bare hot foods, then they can certainly help to get your metabolism moving fast.
3. Whole grains – whole grains digest slowly and they help to keep insulin levels low. The higher your insulin levels are the more your body stores fat, so by keeping your insulin levels low your metabolism will work fast and you will store less fat.
4. Protein – foods that are high in protein like eggs, chicken, fish, beans and lean meats, are great for your metabolism. Not only does protein speed up your metabolism but it also produces a hormone that is a natural appetite suppressant so you wont feel as hungry and wont be inclined to eat as much.
As you can see, dieting isn’t all about reducing the amount of calories that you eat but it’s more about eating the right types of food. If you eat these foods that can help speed up your metabolism and offer other health benefits too, then you will soon be heading toward that goal weight you are aiming for.
