While there are no short-cuts to burning fat, there are a few things you can do to boost your metabolism. In combination, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, drinking water, and eating a clean diet are the best things you can do to get your metabolism revving. If you’re wondering what foods you need to introduce into your nutrition program to help speed the process, here is a short list that will get you started! Remember, eating every 3 or so hours will help keep your metabolism get moving! Never skip meal, especially breakfast; you are “breaking the fast” of not eating while sleeping. Start your day with a clean meal and metabolism speeding foods!
1. Matcha Green Tea
It is now a well-known fact, through multiple scientific studies, that matcha green tea can significantly boost the metabolism, as well as provide a variety of other health benefits. Green tea is delicious and it’s also rich in antioxidants that actively fight harmful free radicals. One recent study even suggested that matcha may help burn calories by four times! At the same time, matcha does not put any stress on the body. It doesn’t raise blood pressure or heart rate, making it a safe alternative to questionable quick fixes or pharmaceuticals ridden with side effects. Also, one glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of other green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content.
2. Hot Peppers
Jalapeno, habanero, cayenne, and other forms of spicy peppers specifically boost metabolism and circulation. In fact, consuming hot peppers not only speeds up your metabolism, they can also reduce cravings. This is related to its capsaicin content, a compound that stimulates the body’s pain receptors, temporarily increasing blood circulation and metabolic rate. In fact, studies have shown that eating hot peppers can boost the metabolism by up to 25%, with the spike lasting for up to 3 hours!
3. Spices
Spice powerhouses like cayenne, garlic, and cinnamon are some of the best ways you can keep your metabolic rates high. Especially speedy are the more pungent spices such as black pepper, mustard seeds, powdered onion, and ginger. A recent study found that using spices enabled people to burn up to 1,000 more calories daily than those not incorporating spices into their diet. Sprinkle cinnamon on your oats to get your metabolism reeving in the morning!
4. Citrus Fruits
Fruits like grapefruit have been shown to help us burn fat and keep our metabolism high. This could be related to the fruits’ high amount of vitamin C, a helpful and healthful component that reduces insulin spikes. Grapefruit aids in the metabolism of food while having a low impact on the glycemic index. It is high in fiber and very low in calories and also helps to reduce insulin levels, which can help you feel full on few calories!
5. Broccoli
High in calcium, broccoli is also extraordinarily high in vitamins C, K, and A. One serving of broccoli will also provide you with plenty of folate and fiber, plus a variety of antioxidants! Broccoli is also one of the best detox foods you can add to your nutrition. Broccoli stimulates an enzyme that tells your fat cells to burn fat while filling you up with clean nutrition!
