You’ve probably spent plenty of time thinking about which foods you should avoid; however, there are certain common foods that actually help you shed those excess pounds. Here are some of the most enjoyable ingredients and treats that can spike your metabolism, making it easier to cultivate the body you desire.
1. Chili peppers
In addition to containing very few calories, Chili peppers provide you with capsaicin, a powerful compound that instantly increases metabolic rate and promotes fast, effective calorie-burning. Interestingly, there is also evidence that capsaicin is a mild appetite suppressant. Whether you add a splash of hot sauce to an Italian pasta dish or make a hot Indian curry that is filled with chopped chilies, you’ll be helping to trim your waistline if you add more heat to your meals. Look out for Habanero peppers in particular, as they’re especially rich in capsaicin.
2. Grapefruit
Grapefruit slices are deliciously tart, and a range of studies support a clear link between regular grapefruit consumption and more efficient weight loss. Typically, study participants lose more weight per week if grapefruit is a key part of their diet.
The dominant hypothesis is that grapefruit juice boosts your metabolism, but this tasty fruit also provides other relevant benefits. For example, it is packed with a type of fiber called pectin, which helps you feel fuller for longer and discourages over-eating.
3. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt contains almost 50% more protein than regular yogurt, and this is good news for your metabolism. While your digestive system can easily break down carbohydrates, it has to work a lot harder to digest protein-rich foods.
As a result, you will temporarily burn more calories per minute while your body deals with your intake of Greek yogurt. Though some people find Greek yogurt bland, you can easily improve it with a handful of fresh berries.
4. Watermelon
Many nutritionists argue that even minor dehydration can slow your metabolic rate, and eating a serving of watermelon is one of the most pleasant ways to kick-start your metabolism by immediately helping to rehydrate your body.
Secondly, it is suggested that even if you are not dehydrated, the fiber and protein content of watermelon makes it one of the best fruits when it comes to boosting metabolism.
5. Eggs
The perfect breakfast food, eggs provide you with a hefty dose of protein that keeps you feeling full and satisfied throughout the morning. In particular, it’s worth noting that egg whites are rich in useful branched-chain amino acids that naturally boost your metabolism. Meanwhile, you’ll also be receiving vitamin D, which helps to maintain cardiovascular health and keeps bones strong.
6. Milk
Milk provides you with plenty of calcium, and recent research suggests that bodies metabolize fat more effectively if fed a diet that is high in calcium. However, this enhanced metabolism is obviously cancelled out by the fat and calorie content of full fat milk, so make sure you pick up reduced fat milk from the grocery store.
7. Lentils
If you’re female and looking to slim down, stock up on lentils. They are a great source of iron (with one serving providing you with as much as 35% of your recommended daily intake), and it is thought that a shocking 20% of women are deficient in iron.
Since a lack of iron leads to a slower metabolism, it stands to reason that increased iron intake may help you burn your way through the extra fat you are storing.
8. Lean meat
Lean meats like chicken, low-fat pork and turkey provide you with enough energy to keep you feeling active and alert for hours. Their protein content is impressively high, ensuring that your metabolism spikes and stays heightened for some time after consumption.
As a result, even when you at rest, that chicken you ate for dinner is helping to ensure that you burn more calories at a faster rate. However, don’t forget that you should always oven-bake or grill your meat if you’re trying to shed a few pounds–fried meats are off the menu!
9. Celery
Celery is an iconic diet food, and for good reason. Celery sticks are mostly water, and the remaining 25% is made from roughage. As a result, chewing celery means you will be burning more calories than you are ingesting, and your digestive system will have to work hard to process all that fiber.
10. Whole grains
Finally, trading white bread, rice and pasta for their brown equivalents can definitely help you get in shape. Your body burns an estimated 50% more calories digesting whole grains, and numerous studies have shown that people who focus on eating whole grain foods are among the most likely to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.