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Foods That Boost Your Metabolism Naturally

By Yvonne Ejiofor
24 October 2017   |   11:00 am
A healthy diet means probably something slightly different to each of us. Some people will say it is about reducing salt or saturated fat intake, to others, it is about eating more fruits and vegetables. So who is right? Possibly all of these answers are correct because there is not just one way of eating…

A healthy diet means probably something slightly different to each of us. Some people will say it is about reducing salt or saturated fat intake, to others, it is about eating more fruits and vegetables. So who is right?

Possibly all of these answers are correct because there is not just one way of eating healthy. But to make sure we are healthy, we shouldn’t concentrate on exercising only.

We should take a holistic approach and remember these keys as characteristics of any healthy diet.

However, to get the required benefits from whatever healthy food consumes, the body needs to metabolise. Your metabolism is partly ruled by genetics, but you can rev it up naturally by eating right.

Fill up with on the following foods to increase your body’s fat-burning power.

Egg-whites

Egg whites are rich in branched-chain amino acids, which keep your metabolism stoked, says Chicago nutritionist David Grotto, RDN. Eggs are also loaded with protein and vitamin D. Try these protein-packed egg recipes.
lean-meat-chicken

Lean Meat
Lean meat is full of iron; deficiencies in the mineral can slow metabolism. Eat three to four daily servings of iron-rich foods, such as chicken or fortified cereal.

Water
If you’re even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down, says Scott Isaacs, MD, clinical instructor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. Tip: Drink water cold, which forces your body to use more calories to warm it up.

Chilli peppers

Chilli peppers contain capsaicin, a chemical compound that can kick metabolism into higher gear, Dr. Isaacs says. He suggests adding a tablespoon of chopped chili peppers to a meal once a day. Chili peppers are also an unexpected source of vitamin C.

Coffee
A study published in Physiology & Behaviour found that the average metabolic rate of people who drank caffeinated coffee was 16 percent higher than that of those who drank decaf.

Green Tea

tea cup

The brew contains a plant compound called EGCG, which promotes fat-burning, research suggests.

Milk
Studies conducted by Michael Zemel, PhD, former director of The Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee, suggest that consuming calcium may help your body metabolize fat more efficiently.

Whole-wheat-bread
Whole grains help your body burn more fat because they take extra effort to break down than processed grains, like white bread and pasta. Whole foods that are rich in fiber, like brown rice and oatmeal, are your best bets.

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