Are there foods that boost your metabolism? Not just healthy/make you feel full, but actually boost the metabolism?
Answers (6)
Green tea or a green tea extracts have chemicals such as EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) that not only helps these foods burn fat and increase the metabolism, but also has anti-cancer properties, prevents heart disease, and uplifts your mood.
Calcium is essential for regulating hormonal activity in the body and can accelerate weight loss by breaking down the fat in fat cells. Low fat dairy products, leafy green vegetables, yogurt, and almonds are rich in calcium.
Fruit cleanses the body because it contains a lot of fiber, water, and vitamins. The best fruit choices are apple, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, melons, mangoes, kiwi, and pineapple. Fruits that are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B12, potassium, and phosphorus help in the efficient operation of your metabolism. Pectin found in fruits such as apples and berries helps against fat absorption into the cells.
Lean Protein such as skinless chicken breasts can increase your metabolic rate. This is because the digestion of protein stimulates cellular activity leading to the burning of the excess fats. The best lean protein food choices are lean chicken, turkey breast, egg whites, fish and seafood.
Complex High Fiber Carbs are not only a highly thermogenic food, but also helps fill you up and sustain you longer. The complex carbohydrates in sync with lean protein creates a steady release of insulin into the bloodstream and minimizes insulin swings. The best high fiber complex carbs to choose are whole grain breads, brown rice, beans, oatmeal, and non-starchy vegetables.
Non Starchy Vegetables are high in fiber. Examples include such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, endives, celery, tomatoes, and peppers are the best metabolism boosters as they have the most thermogenic properties and also have minimal impact on your insulin levels. These foods that burn fat and calories also helps in regulating your metabolism
Spices can temporarily fire up your metabolic rates.
Garlic raises your body temperature and helps to stimulate your body's fat burning mechanisms. Regular intake of garlic boosts your immune system and helps prevent cold and flu.
Vinegar is an acid that slows down the digestion of starch and keeps your insulin levels balanced, this property can actually lower blood sugar by 30% when consumed with a meal. This is effective in speeding up your metabolism and treating metabolic disorders.
Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3s) affect the levels of the fat hormone, leptin. Leptin is said to influence the number of calories burnt and stored as fat. Therefore, people with low levels of leptin, tend to burn more calories than those with higher levels of the hormone. The best sources of omega 3 fats are tuna, lean white fish, salmon, sardines, and ground flaxseeds.
We have also had a lot of success with green coffee bean extract. The big ingredient here is chlorogenic acid which slows down glucose and speeds up the metabolism.
I think Dr. Oz had a special on green coffee bean extract.
Great question! In general, fiber-, protein-rich, and certain fat-rich foods (think whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, beans, etc) will help boost satiety and keep you feeling fuller, longer (an important key to weight loss). But there are a few foods that contain certain compounds thought to boost metabolism and help you lose weight:
1. Peppers: Peppers, particularly hot varieties like cayenne and jalapeno, contain an compound called capsaicin. The heat generated from this compound is thought to help boost metabolism and calorie- and fat-burning. Try adding a pinch of dried cayenne pepper to sauteed greens, citrus-based smoothies, or a warm glass of lemon water to kick-start your metabolism.
2. Goji berries: Some animal and human studies have found that active compounds in goji berries may help boost metabolism (in addition to improving energy levels and overall vitality as reported by subjects in human studies). A small 2011 study found that drinking anywhere from 1 to 4 ounces of goji berry juice boosted metabolism after mealtime compared to the placebo group (who consumed no goji berry juice). You can toss dried goji berries into smoothies, enjoy raw alone or in trail mixes, or sip a small serving of juice for a beneficial boost of this super berry.
3. Green tea: Green tea is rich in catechins, like ECGC, which not only helps fight cancer, but may also give your metabolism a modest boost. Researchers have found that consuming 1-2 cups of green tea daily may give your body a small metabolic boost--resulting in about a 2.2 pound loss of body weight over a 3- to 4-month period. Sip a few cups of green tea each day for its beneficial effects.
4. Garlic: This herb contains sulfur-rich compounds (like thiacremonone) that may help you lose weight and fat--and improve blood sugar and lipid levels. Try adding a clove of crushed garlic to salads, soups, and steamed and sauteed veggies--preferably raw or added toward the end of cooking time as heat destroys its active compounds.
5. Goldenberries: Foods like whole grains, leafy greens, beans, and goldenberries are rich in energy-unlocking B-complex vitamins, which help turn the carbohydrates from the food you eat into energy your body can use to fuel you through your day (and your next workout). B-vitamins also help support the adrenal glands, which help regulate metabolism. To get a big boost of B vitamins, try sprinkling dried goldenberries on salads or grain-based cereals (like oats, amaranth, or quinoa).
6. Polyphenol-rich Fruits and Berries: Polyphenols are a large class of health-promoting, disease-fighting phytochemicals--and berries and fruits rich in these compounds (like blueberries, pomegranates, grapes, and mangosteen) may help you lose weight and fat. In cell studies, polyphenols have been found to act on fat cells, reducing inflammation and preventing them from increasing in size and number. Try adding 1 to 2 servings of polyphenol-rich fruits to your daily diet for their fat-blasting potential.
1. Raw Cacao { chocolate in it's raw, pure form }
2. Coconut Oil
3. Raw, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
4. Grapefruit
5. Ginger
6. Cinnamon
7. Chia Seeds { healthy omega 3's}
8. Almonds
9. Beans
10. Oolong Tea
11. Green Tea
12. Hot peppers
13. Apples
14. Curry
15. Spinach
What's more is that eating foods boost your metabolism and drinking your meals slows your metabolism. So, eat foods with lots of fiber and don't use juices as meal replacements.
Your metabolism derived from your digestive processes loves to break down food. That is it's job. On the other hand, when you drink fluids for meals, you slow down your metabolism.
Here's how, the important hormone called leptin does not get a chance to do its job. Leptin, the satiety hormone released by the hypothalamus in the brain, and which is part of an intricate signaling system only works when we chew our food. It does not work when we drink our meals as the fluid does not activate this most important signaling system. Therefore, you drink more than you should and you do not allow your built in metabolic processes to automatically work for you.
Back to the original statement, high fiber foods will improve your metabolism better than any products you've read or heard about. Use fresh, high fiber veggies and fruit.