If you check sites like Amazon and Walmart, you’ll see a wide range of powders and drinks claiming to boost metabolism and burn fat. In gyms like Chuze Fitness people talk about these powdered drinks all the time. But if you’re looking for a safe and healthy way to burn calories that you can do long-term, it’s always a much better idea to go for healthy foods instead. You can try any of these “magic products” all you want but at the end of the day, real food is still the simplest way to achieve the health goals you’re aiming for.
Here’s our list of the best foods you can eat to rev up your metabolism:
1. Lentils
Lentils are rich in protein, fiber and iron. Iron is needed by the body so it can effectively carry out its calorie burning process. A cup of lentils can supply 35% of the body’s daily iron requirements.
2. Broccoli, Cauliflower and Other Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables contain essential nutrients that aid in metabolism – calcium, B vitamins and vitamin C, along with estrogen and sulforaphane, which helps with detox.
3. Beans
Beans (not refried) are not only rich in fiber but these things also boost metabolism and improves insulin sensitivity so your body will store less fat.
4. Lean Meat
White chicken, turkey and other lean meats triggers your body to use up more calories to digest it. Moreover, having protein-rich foods ensures you’re able to preserve muscle mass while burning calories.
5. Citrus Fruits
Lemon, grapefruit and other citrusy fruits are rich in Vitamin C, low in sugar and help lower blood sugar response after eating. Vitamin C is also needed to metabolize fat. Lemons in particular support liver detox and with efficient detox of the body, this results in fat loss.
6. Oats
Gluten-free oats provide fiber along with vitamins and minerals to keep your insulin levels low, prevent blood sugar spikes and aid in proper digestion.
7. Chili Peppers
Chili peppers contain the bioactive ‘capsaicin’, which activate the immune system to fight against cancer cells. But aside from this, capsaicin also triggers the body to burn more energy.
8. Cinnamon
Adding cinnamon to your coffee can slow down the effect of glucose by muting the response of adrenaline and noradrenaline. When glucose levels are high, the body responds by producing more insulin. Cinnamon limits the insulin response to aid in fat loss.
9. Berries
Berries lower lung cancer risk, increase stem cell levels, protect DNA, slow the progression of cancer, boost angiogenesis defenses, enhance immune response, and stabilize glucose levels to lower body fat content and boost metabolism.
10. Seeds
Seeds like hemp and flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which improve blood flow and reduce inflammation to kickstart your metabolism. The body functions through hormones like insulin, thyroid hormone, growth hormones , etc by means of a cellular response. The seeds contain fat that aid in the cells’ integrity so they can receive cellular responses.
11. Whole Grains
Whole grains have short-chain fatty acids that trigger the release of leptin, the hormone responsible for satiety so you eat less. It is also rich in fiber which slows down blood sugar release and prevents insulin spikes.
12. Nuts
Nuts are rich in protein which triggers the body to burn more fat. As a low-glycemic food, they keep blood sugar levels stable as well.
Here’s a guide on how to boost your metabolism: