You've decided to rebalance your diet, and you're absolutely right. To give yourself the best chance of shedding those extra pounds,...
A fast metabolism burns more calories than a slow metabolism. Scientists use the term “high basal metabolic rate” to describe people with a low percentage of body fat.
Their bodies have a relatively high rate of nutrient absorption, which means they can burn calories quickly without storing fat—or very little.
A fast metabolism is critical to effective weight loss.
Here are some foods that are known to speed up metabolic activity.
Coffee
Research shows that the caffeine in your morning cup of coffee (it's best to limit your caffeine intake to the morning so it doesn't interfere with your sleep) may have metabolic-stimulating properties.
One study found that 100mg of caffeine (about 1 cup) increased volunteers' resting metabolic rate by 3-4% for 150 minutes.
That said, paying attention to how you prepare your coffee is essential.
To maximize the metabolic benefits of your cup, try to keep the sugar content low, opting for sweetness with a low-carb sweetener like stevia and some unsweetened coconut milk instead of that dairy-free, sugar-laden coffee creamer.
Speaking of caffeine, green tea is another food (or rather, drink) that boosts metabolism. In addition to the caffeine above, green tea is rich in catechins and flavonoids, compounds known to speed up metabolism and increase calorie expenditure.
Like coffee, it has increased metabolism in individuals during exercise.
Matcha is a variety of green tea that is particularly beneficial for boosting metabolism.
Match contains the antioxidant EGCG, which has been shown to significantly increase metabolism and fat-burning effects in the body compared to traditional green tea.
In fact, research suggests it may even stimulate the genes responsible for breaking down fat.
Ginger
This small but potent warming spice is one of the best foods to include in your diet if you're looking to boost your metabolism, among other health benefits!
Ginger is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and research suggests it may benefit everything from digestion to weight loss.
Chickpea
Chickpeas are loaded with healthy fiber and protein that help you feel full, making them an easy win for a healthy eating plan.
Increased satiety helps you avoid overeating, which keeps your metabolism going!
As for protein, research shows that protein-rich foods help increase metabolic burn through their thermal effect.
Since protein is more challenging to digest, your body needs more energy to break it down. More energy means more calories burned, and more calories burned means an increased metabolism!
Remember, rather than trying to change the speed of your metabolism, the best way to maintain a healthy weight is to find a balance between the calories you eat and the calories you burn.
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