METABOLISM
You hear this word all the time these days. “He’s got a fast metabolism, that’s why he’s always so fit.” “I need to increase my metabolism,” “I’m fat because I was born with a low metabolism.”
But what is metabolism? How does it play a role in your weight loss goals and what is its value to you? Let me give you the commonly accepted definition of metabolism.
The word metabolism is derived from the Greek language, and it means “change” or “transformation”. For our purposes of body function, metabolism is the amount of energy or calories your body burns to maintain vital functions. At every moment, be it sleeping, shopping or exercising, your body is constantly burning calories. It needs fuel just as a car needs fuel to power itself. Your metabolism is the regulator and manager of your body’s fuel.
METABOLISM AND DIET
It is most important that we have a heavy breakfast to kick start our metabolism and then eat small snacks/meals every 2-3 hours to maintain it.
Apart from this eat following vegetables that increase our metabolism..
-Broccoli: The green vegetable contains high amounts of calcium, which increases the metabolic rate of the body and help burn fat.
- Spinach: It is a good source of various nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and iron. Vitamin C in spinach helps raise metabolic function.
- Bell Peppers: The chemical capsaicin in capsicum or bell peppers is an effective metabolic booster. When we eat it, our body temporarily releases stress hormones that speed up our metabolism. This burns more calories as the body tries to cope with the spicy flavour.
- Beans: Beans are high in both protein and fiber. While protein helps build and maintain muscle mass that helps raise the metabolic rate; fiber too perks up the metabolic rate because the body takes a long time to break it down.
You can also add in dry fruits as they are a powerhouse of energy. Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios have numerous health advantages. Nuts are great sources of protein. Since protein has a high thermic effect your body will have to burn more fats to digest these.
Seeds like sunflower seeds and flax seed also help in lifting your metabolism.
Foods to increase Metabolism- Make sure your diet contains enough of Green tea, Broccoli, Dark chocolate, Ginger, Oats, Celery, apple, Garlic, Salmon, almonds, yoghurt, brown rice, cinnamon and water in order to raise your metabolic rate :)
Try to incorporate these vegetables and nuts to your daily intake to boost your metabolism. And most importantly never skip your meals!!!
You hear this word all the time these days. “He’s got a fast metabolism, that’s why he’s always so fit.” “I need to increase my metabolism,” “I’m fat because I was born with a low metabolism.”
But what is metabolism? How does it play a role in your weight loss goals and what is its value to you? Let me give you the commonly accepted definition of metabolism.
The word metabolism is derived from the Greek language, and it means “change” or “transformation”. For our purposes of body function, metabolism is the amount of energy or calories your body burns to maintain vital functions. At every moment, be it sleeping, shopping or exercising, your body is constantly burning calories. It needs fuel just as a car needs fuel to power itself. Your metabolism is the regulator and manager of your body’s fuel.
METABOLISM AND DIET
It is most important that we have a heavy breakfast to kick start our metabolism and then eat small snacks/meals every 2-3 hours to maintain it.
Apart from this eat following vegetables that increase our metabolism..
-Broccoli: The green vegetable contains high amounts of calcium, which increases the metabolic rate of the body and help burn fat.
- Spinach: It is a good source of various nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and iron. Vitamin C in spinach helps raise metabolic function.
- Bell Peppers: The chemical capsaicin in capsicum or bell peppers is an effective metabolic booster. When we eat it, our body temporarily releases stress hormones that speed up our metabolism. This burns more calories as the body tries to cope with the spicy flavour.
- Beans: Beans are high in both protein and fiber. While protein helps build and maintain muscle mass that helps raise the metabolic rate; fiber too perks up the metabolic rate because the body takes a long time to break it down.
You can also add in dry fruits as they are a powerhouse of energy. Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios have numerous health advantages. Nuts are great sources of protein. Since protein has a high thermic effect your body will have to burn more fats to digest these.
Seeds like sunflower seeds and flax seed also help in lifting your metabolism.
Foods to increase Metabolism- Make sure your diet contains enough of Green tea, Broccoli, Dark chocolate, Ginger, Oats, Celery, apple, Garlic, Salmon, almonds, yoghurt, brown rice, cinnamon and water in order to raise your metabolic rate :)
Try to incorporate these vegetables and nuts to your daily intake to boost your metabolism. And most importantly never skip your meals!!!
