Increase Metabolism Superfoods to Speed Weight Loss
Donuts, chips, a Starbucks latte with whipped cream? We can only dream that these foods would increase our metabolism and speed up weight loss! As every dieter knows, there is a too-long list of foods that are “bad” - foods you have to give up for a successful weight loss program.
However, there are some super foods that can help increase your metabolism. Eat these foods in place of the donuts and chips. They may not give the instant gratification that junk food gives but they also don’t live long on the hips either.
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Superfoods for Weight Loss Add Nutrients
These foods add valuable nutrients to your diet and, what’s more important, they fill you up, making it easier to avoid those foods you love but know you shouldn’t have. Who knows? You might end up loving these superfoods even more than the pizza and cookies.
Cacao - Speeds Metabolism to Help Burn Calories
Cacao is one of the newest superfoods to make headlines. Containing more antioxidants than green tea and lots of flavonoids and magnesium for heart health, this pure form of chocolate is a must have for health and weightloss.
Cacao comes in powder or cacao nibs, which can be added to coffee or smoothies or used in baking. Look for raw, organic cacao which is minimally processed to preserve nutrients.
Adding a tablespoon of cacao to your morning coffee helps burn up to 20% more calories throughout the day. Cacao has some caffeine but much less than tea or coffee.
Grapefruit as a Weight Loss Superfood
Studies have shown that eating half a grapefruit or drinking four ounces of grapefruit juice before a meal does indeed speed weight loss. One study at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California, showed that besides real grapefruit and juice, capsules also worked. Grapefruit contains vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system, fiber which helps fill you up so you don’t eat so much and antioxidants which protect the body from cancer and help cells repair damage from the environment, aging and daily living. All this for only 78 calories per grapefruit. Researchers aren’t sure how grapefruit works but speculate that grapefruit lowers insulin levels, which helps curb appetite.
How to Eat Grapefruit
For those who don’t care for grapefruit, try sweetening with stevia, a no calorie, plant based sweetener. You can also try it mixed in with other fruit, like apples and oranges to help sweeten it. Try adding grapefruit to a spinach salad topped with raspberry vinaigrette for a unique blend of tastes.
Grapes as a Super Weight Loss Food
Recent studies show that people who enjoy fruit and eat a lot of it eat less sweet snacks. Grapes, in particular, satisfy sweet cravings. The complex sugars in fruit seem to satisfy the cravings for sweets. Grapes contain vitamins A and C, B6 and folate, plus minerals such as potassium, calcium and iron. Grapes are easy to wash, put in a bag and carry with you to the office or in you kid’s lunch.
Add grapes to salads, fruit dishes and yogurt or eat alone to help you avoid eating those donuts and cookies.
Green tea is not a food, strictly speaking, but studies have shown that five cups per day of green tea will boost metabolism and aids weight loss. It contains healthy antioxidants and helps regulate blood sugar, with is also important for any weight loss program. Green tea can also replace less healthy alternatives such as colas and excess coffee drinks.
Coconut oil is one fat that boosts your metabolism because it benefits the thyroid, the very gland that regulates your metababolism. Substitute coconut oil for other fats in your diet like margarine, butter and vegetable oil.
Sardines
Sardines are loaded with protein and a great source of omega-3 fatty acid, the heart-healthy fat. Omega-3’s also boost your mood. The protein in sardines help stimulate metabolism and make you feel fuller longer. Sardines are a great bargain price-wise and very convenient to use. Salmon is also a heart-healthy, super weight loss food.
Fish oil supplements
If you don’t’ care for heart-healthy salmon and sardines, use fish oil supplements to get the ultra metabolism benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acids alter the hormone leptin, which determines whether or not you burn calories or store them as fat, thus they will increase your metabolism.
Beef is a Great Protein for Weight Loss - However….
Beef is a great high protein food which can give you ultra metabolism and help balance your blood sugar. The “however” comes with the choice of beef. Most beef purchased in supermarkets also contains antibiotics and hormones, which are very undesirable to your health. Look for grass-fed beef which is very lean in cut. What’s even better is to purchase from local ranchers who advertise grain-fed beef. Find organic if possible. It costs a little more but the taste and health benefits are well worth it. These cuts are always lean, contain more omega-3 fatty acid and you are also helping your local economy rather than large commercial farms and ranches where unhealthy practices harm the environment.
Protein is also essential for building muscle and muscle burns more calories in the body than fat, which will increase you overall metabolism.
Eggs
Eggs are another excellent source of protein, vitamin A and B2 and B12. One egg is about 75 calories. Look for cage free, or free range sources which are healthier and contain more omega 3 oils. Better yet, find a local egg supplier and buy locally. Farmers markets often carry farm fresh eggs. The dark-yellow yolks will tell you these chickens were raised in a healthy manner.
Hint - take hard-boiled eggs for a snack to work or when you're on the run.
Almonds and nuts like peanuts supply protein, fiber and many vitamins and minerals which are good for your heart. Studies have shown that a dozen or so almonds per day will aid weight loss efforts. It’s best to eat raw, unshelled nuts or at least dry roasted. Roasted nuts are often roasted in oils with trans-fats and MSG and therefore not as healthy. Shelling also provides you with something to do that slows down the amount you actually consume and gives you something to do with your hands besides shovel in more handfuls of food.
Garlic is a real superfood. It boosts the immune system and is a natural antibiotic. Crush a clove at the first sign of a cold and you will probably avoid the cold altogether. Garlic lowers unhealthy fats in the blood, which lead to high cholesterol and thus helps to reduce the fats in your cells.
How to Prepare Garlic
Crushed garlic is much more beneficial than sliced garlic. Crush your garlic first in a garlic press and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before using to release the beneficial compounds.
Water
Water isn’t exactly a food either but not getting enough water can slow metabolism. Getting plenty of water in your diet will keep your body functioning at peak performance and help increase your metabolism.
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