Foods to boost metabolism

Make smart food choices to fire up your metabolism and burn calories faster!

We think we know a lot about calories: we count them, curb them and try to burn them off. If you are not losing the weight you’d hoped to on your diet and exercise plan, you can burn more calories with smarter food choices. Eating foods that actually help burn calories while you chew or have properties that fire your metabolism into high gear may be just the boost that your weight-loss plan needs!

Water

Studies indicate that water speeds up weight loss and is helpful in increasing a body’s metabolism. It’s also a natural appetite suppressant that gets rid of bloat by flushing out toxins and sodium. Drinking enough water helps keep you from mistaking thirst for hunger. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Grapefruit

The unique chemicals in this Vitamin C-packed citrus fruit reduces insulin levels and boosts metabolism. The classic grapefruit diet is not a myth!

Celery

Negative calories! It actually takes more calories to chew and digest a stalk of celery than that stalk contains! Celery, with its high-water content, also makes a great snack.

Apples and Pears

Fruit eaters generally consume fewer overall calories per day than those who don’t eat fruit. To satisfy a sugar craving, grab a low calorie high fibre apple or pear — you’ll feel full longer and eat less.

Hot peppers

Capsacian, a chemical found in jalapeno and cayenne peppers, temporarily stimulates the body to release more stress hormones, which speed up metabolism to burn more calories and cool cravings. Add hot peppers to soups and salads, on a spicy egg-white omelette to start your day, or in casseroles and sandwiches. You’ll feel the burn of calories disappearing!

Oatmeal

Oatmeal ranks high on the good-carb list as an excellent source of cholesterol-fighting fibre that fills you up and gives you energy. Choose steel-cut or rolled oats instead of instant oatmeal to get the full complement of vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal is packed full of hearty nutrients for dieters.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a veggie loaded with calcium, and calcium and weight-loss are linked. It’s also rich in Vitamin C for calcium absorption, Vitamin A, folate and fibre. At a measly 20 calories per cup, broccoli is a weight loss superstar that fights fat and bumps up protection of the immune system.

Low-fat Yoghurt

Dairy products enhance weight loss as a great source of calcium, and yoghurt performs by delivering a big dose paired with protein, good bacteria and probiotics for a healthier digestive tract.

Lean Turkey

Lean turkey is a favourite of body-builders who understand that it helps build lean muscle tissue so you burn more calories. A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless lean turkey weighs in at just 120 calories and delivers 26 grams of appetite-curbing protein and just 1 gram of fat.

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