5 foods that will speed up your metabolism
Whenever “metabolism” is mentioned, it feels mystical — like the
fountain of youth or a cupcake with no calories. It seems like all you
have to do is rev that metabolism a little and you’ll be running
5-minute miles and burning calories like it’s your job and finally be
able to apply the perfect liquid liner… well, almost all of those
anyway. But what does your metabolism actually do? And how can you properly harness all its kickass health power?
The term “metabolism” actually refers to
all the chemicals involved in maintaining the health of the cells. The
nutrients we eat supply energy and necessary chemicals for this
function, which is why it affects how many calories our body burns. So
while it sounds like a fad-y health craze, focusing on our metabolic
health is actually important.
Here are some foods that will help your metabolism function properly and burn extra calories in the process:
1. Protein with Healthy Fats
Getting enough protein is crucial for the function of your
metabolism, but simply ingesting protein isn’t enough. Protein and
healthy fats are so important because if your body does not get enough,
or an improper balance, it will break down lean body tissues and
convert them to body fat. Try choosing a combo snack like SunButter,
which packs a huge protein punch and contains micronutrients like
magnesium, Vitamin E, zinc, and iron, and contains less saturated fats
than other options, which means more of the good kind of fat. It’s also
free of the top food allergens, which means people with peanut or tree
nut allergies can enjoy it too. Grab SunButter at your local grocery chain or specialty food store and pair it with fruits and veggies or incorporate it into your baking.
2. Green Tea
While coffee also revs the metabolism with that caffeine we all know
and love, green teas do it more efficiently and have more benefits in
general. Green teas (like gunpowder, jasmine, and matcha)
contain epigallocatechin, which is what stimulates the nervous system
without elevating the heart rate (meaning no post-coffee jitters!).
Three cups a day is said to burn up to 80 calories — now that’s a
workout I can get behind! Try swapping a matcha latte for your usual
latte at Starbucks, or try it in your baking.
3. Whole Grains
Whole grains like rolled oats, brown rice, or buckwheat burn more
body fat because they take more work for your body to break down than
processed grains like white flour. They are also rich in fiber, which
means they help your gut to digest better. Opt for brown rice pasta, or
at least whole wheat, instead of the usual white, and try baking with
oat flour instead of the white stuff.
Comments