Boost Your Metabolism With The Right Foods

It’s no secret that as we get older our metabolism slows down a little bit each year. Those days of eating anything we wanted (for some of us anyway) are long gone. It’s kind of cruel joke in a way, considering that as we get older, it becomes even more important to stay fit, while at the same time it’s harder and harder to do!

If you happen to fall into this unlucky category, then you know all too well that what used to work easily, isn’t quite working anymore. Something has to change with how we eat and exercise… otherwise we are doomed to a steady increase in the amount of real estate our back-sides will require every time we go to sit down.

Let Science Guide The Way

Fortunately… dietary and scientific research has provided us with many ways to boost our metabolism and combat the ever increasing slow down of how our bodies burn calories as we get older. Much of this research has been in the areas of exercise, sleep and portion control techniques. In this report, we are going to look specifically at different foods that can have a tremendous impact in our body’s ability to be more efficient with how we burn fat and digest our foods.

Overall total calories really do count, but the foods that make up those calories are even more important. Let’s take a look at 10 excellent foods and beverages that everyone should be mixing into their daily diets if they are serious about winning the battle of the bulge.

Fat Burning Foods That Work

• Black Coffee

OK, maybe you don’t want it strong and black. But at least go with a non-dairy creamer and a zero calorie sweetener. Caffeine has been proven in a number of studies to increase the body’s metabolic rate. Just keep it to 2 or 3 cups a day to avoid the jitters and unwanted side effects.

• Green Tea

If coffee is not your cup of tea… try adding some unsweetened green tea in the mix. Green Tea contains caffeine and sepigallocatechin gallate  which has many healthy benefits that go beyond just fat loss. Try serving your green tea at lower temperatures as higher temps often used when brewing teas can reduce some of the chemical benefits of this marvelous compound.

• Water

Oh my goodness, I thought this was about foods! Well, it is. I just wanted to get the liquids out of the way first… and water is so important that it simply needs to be on the list. I’m not going to bore you with the typical “staying hydrated” stuff. But try getting into the habit of drinking a tall glass of water before every meal. This will allow your body to more efficiently digest the foods sitting in your tummy resulting in less bloat and a healthier intestinal tract.

• Almonds

Only small amounts though! Almonds are loaded with essential fats that are excellent for increasing your metabolic rate. Despite being high in calories they are a very smart snack choice.

• Lean Turkey

Turkey is an excellent protein choice for building lean muscle which in turn will boost your metabolism. Proteins are an excellent source for amino acids and the low carbohydrate profile makes it even more attractive for firing up your fat burning furnace.

• Low-Fat Yogurt

Not all dairy products are equal, but yogurt ranks very, very high when it comes to helping your body burn more calories. The probiotics and active cultures within yogurt are really great for proper digestion and increased absorption of nutrients.

• Oatmeal

Not only does oatmeal tend to fill you up fast, but it’s considered one of the more slower burning (low glycemic) carbohydrates you can eat. Add the high fiber per serving and oatmeal becomes a powerful weapon in your arsenal of fat burning super foods.

• Broccoli

Rich in Calcium, fiber and multiple antioxidants, broccoli has few contenders in the world of green veggies that fight fat. Numerous studies have shown that calcium is a big contributor to a healthy metabolic rate. And… at only 20 calories per cup it deserves to be on your list of foods to eat.

• Peppers

Capsaicen is a chemical found in jalapeno and cayenne peppers that has been found to stimulate specific fat burning hormones after being ingested according to university researchers in Canada. The release of these hormones puts your body in a physiologically stressed condition causing your metabolism to increase and additional burning of fat.

• Grapefruit

If you are taking any medications you should consult with your doctor first as grapefruit has been shown to interfere with some prescribed and over the counter medicines. Grapefruit is packed with vitamin C and is unique among citrus fruits in that it can reduce insulin levels which can slow down the bodies ability to turn sugars into fat cells. Eating a half grapefruit at least once per day has shown to be very effective in an overall strategy for boosting your metabolism.

Healthy Substitutions

By substituting other food items with the ones on this list, you can become a significant contributor to your body’s ability to fight fat and burn more calories. Combining these foods with a sensible, calorie conscious eating plan can make a big difference in how hot your metabolic furnace will burn.