Want a Boost?

Listed below are a list of foods that slow down your metabolism and a list of foods that help boost your metabolism. This is a little long but definitely worth reading and great information to keep in mind. Interestingly enough the foods that slow down your metabolism are the same foods that may spike your energy levels at first and after a bit your energy comes crashing down. The foods that help to boost your metabolism are also fods that fuel you and give you the energy needed to have productive workouts and a productive day as well.

Chandi Schwab

Slow down your Metabolism

1) SUGAR:- Eating too much sugar overloads your body and causes your blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. This in turn makes your body go into conservation mode meaning that you will store extra fat and burn less calories. To make sure this does not happen you need to reduce your intake of refined sugars as much as possible. That means cutting down on the candy, chocolate, cakes and cookies as much as possible. If you still want something sweet try eating some fruit. Unlike refined sugars, most fruits contain fructose which does not cause your blood sugar levels to rise.

2) WHITE BREAD:- White bread is made from wheat flour which then has the bran and germ removed. White bread is bleached to remove any yellow colour which destroys many of the vitamins contained in the wheat plus it is full of sugar. This means that it is very easily digested, has a low nutritional value and is low in dietary fiber. When processing white bread your body burns very few calories and it also causes your blood sugar levels to rise. I know you have probably heard it many times before but by substituting white bread for a wholemeal variety you can really boost your metabolic rate. Wholemeal bread is harder to digest (so burns more calories while being processed), has a greater nutritional value and most importantly does not cause your blood sugar levels to rise in an uncontrolled way.

3) FRIED FOODS:- Like white bread, fried foods are very low in nutritional value and easy to digest. They are also very high in calories and full of saturated fats. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature, generally come from an animal source, make your body produce more cholesterol, and slow down your metabolic rate. You really need to avoid fried foods for the sake of both your metabolism and your health. Next time you are craving fried food such as a beef burger why not replace this with a slice of grilled, lean beef on brown bread? Not only will it be better for you but I think it tastes a lot nicer too.

4) PROCESSED FOODS:- Processed foods include ready meals, crisps and chocolate bars. They are very popular because they are quick and convenient but guess what? The vast majority are also lacking in nutritional value, contain dangerous trans fats, and are high in chemical preservatives. Again this combination of factors in processed foods means that they reduce your metabolic rate. I know that it can be very tempting to opt for processed foods when you want something to eat after a long, hard day but your body will really thank you if you take the time to cook something healthier. If time really is an issue then why not try cooking in large batches and freezing the leftovers? This will mean that you will still have access to quick, convenient foods when you are in a rush BUT they will be healthy.

5) ALCOHOL:- Alcohol is full of sugar and calories which (as you probably know by now) restrict your metabolic rate. Alcohol is also known to have a dehydrating effect and as I discussed in my last article, if you are not fully hydrated your metabolism does not work as effectively. Moderate consumption of alcohol is not going to have a huge effect on your hydration levels but excessive consumption will. For most of us there are going to be times when we over indulge on alcohol so I am not going to advise you to give up alcoholic beverages. However, you should make an effort to reduce the amount you are drinking.

Boost your Metabolism

1) SUPER FOODS:- Super foods are foods which are deemed highly beneficial to your health. They offer protection against a number of diseases, provide you with energy, are full of anti-oxidants and guess what? They can also help boost your metabolism. Some of the most popular super foods are blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, tomatoes and yoghurt. You can view a more detailed article on super foods and their benefits by clicking here.

While super foods are a great way to raise your metabolic rate it is important to make sure that they are only a supplement to your diet. Eating only super foods will not do you much good in the long run. In fact it could even cause long term damage as you will be missing out on other vital nutrients. For the best metabolism boosting results make sure you introduce super foods to your existing healthy diet and you will notice the benefits. For example, you could add a few blueberries to your morning bowl of cereal, have a portion of grapefruit as a mid-morning snack or add some tomato to one of your favourite pasta dishes.

2) SPICY FOODS:- Most spicy foods have a mild thermogenic effect which means that they can help activate your body’s fat burning process. This article also suggests that spicy foods can help boost your metabolism by as much as 50% for three hours after you eat them. Therefore, spicy foods are another great option for you to consider if you want to increase your metabolic rate. Some great types of spicy foods you can try include Indian, Mexican and Thai. You can also spice up your daily dishes by adding peppers such as jalapeños.

Just like super foods you should not over indulge on spicy foods. Eating excessive spicy foods can really irritate your stomach and lead to acid reflux, heart burn and stomach ulcers. In the worst cases it can also damage your taste buds and digestive tract. Perhaps try having an extra curry for dinner once a week or adding some spices to your favourite dishes.

3) PROTEIN:- Protein has a number of metabolism boosting benefits. This study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that protein has a satiating effect meaning that by adding a little more protein to your diet you should feel less hungry. More interestingly, this article from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition states that “convincing evidence exists that protein exerts an increased thermic effect when compared to fat and carbohydrate” which in simple terms means that your body uses more calories when processing protein than carbohydrates or fats. So by increasing the amount of protein you eat each day you can suppress your appetite and burn the amounts of calories you burn.

As with the foods I have recommended above, I am not suggesting that you switch to an excessively high protein diet. Evidence suggests that this can cause damage to your kidneys and deprive your body of vital nutrients. Instead I am suggesting that you replace some of the carbohydrates and fats in your diet with proteins. For example, you could try having a slightly smaller breakfast but accompany it with a protein shake or try increasing the proportion of lean meats in your main meals.

4) WATER:- I know this is not technically a food group but it is a part of your diet which can make or break your metabolism. If you are not properly hydrated then your metabolism does not work as effectively and ultimately you burn less calories when resting. It is therefore really important to stay hydrated at all times if you want to maximise your metabolism.

To stay hydrated you need to make a concious effort to be drinking water regularly. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and top it up regularly. Also, try to limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol. Excessive consumption of either of these products will have a dehydrating effect and inhibit your metabolic rate. I am not suggesting that you give up caffeine or alcohol but perhaps try to substitute one of your daily cups of coffee or one of your glasses of wine with a drink of water instead.