Angela Hall
While there’s no magic food to make you lose weight, there are a number of foods that help to boost your metabolism making it just a little easier to lose those last few pounds. Incorporate these foods into your diet to fast track your weight loss. Make sure you eat a whole food, well rounded diet and get plenty of exercise as well.
#1: Green Tea
Green tea contains a compound called catechins. Catechins are a type of antioxidant that helps release fat from fat cells as well as encourages the liver to turn the fat into energy faster. One of the catechins found in green tea, called EGCG, is also thought to be a fat burning compound. One 12 week study showed that participants who drank four to five cups of green tea per day lost more belly fat and two pounds more than those who did not drink the green tea.
#2: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Healthy fats can help reduce your appetite as well as speed up your metabolism. Olive oil contains a kind of fat called monounsaturated fats. These fats have been shown to actually help your body burn more calories. Olive oil also contains a multitude of antioxidants that help fight various diseases and health conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and strokes. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals in the body, which is why they are so beneficial to the body.
#3: Hot Peppers
Spicy peppers (and spicy food in general) are great to directly boost your metabolism and increase circulation. In addition, research has shown that not only does eating spicy peppers increase your metabolism, they also reduce unhealthy cravings and can help suppress your appetite. If you’ve ever noticed that spicy food makes you sweat, that’s just your metabolism speeding up. Studies have shown that eating spicy peppers can boost your metabolism by up to 25 percent for up to three hours. Try adding peppers like jalapeños, habaneros and cayenne your diet to reap their benefits.
#4: Coffee
Studies have shown that the average metabolic rate of people who drink coffee is roughly 16 percent higher than those who don’t drink coffee or opt for decaf instead. However, it’s important to still drink your coffee in moderation as caffeine intake above 300-400mg a day can be detrimental to your health.
#5: Whole Grains
Whole grains can help speed up your metabolism because they take more effort to break down. Opt for whole grains that are high in fiber like brown rice and oatmeal. Be sure to steer clear from processed grains like white bread and most pastas.
#5: Water
Seems like a no-brainer right? However, even if you’re slightly dehydrated your metabolism can slow down significantly. Water is the elixir of life, so it’s no surprise that proper hydration can help speed up your metabolism and keep it functioning at ideal levels. Drinking cold water can help your metabolism as well, as your body will need to burn more calories to warm it up.