15 Everyday Foods that Supercharge Your Metabolism
Bonus: They may already be in your fridge. Double-bonus: We've got the info, short and sweet. By Annie Daly, REDBOOK.
Hemp seeds
You don't have to be a Grateful Dead fan to get on board with these seeds. They're a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, both of which improve blood flow to your muscles, revving up your metabolism. Plus, they reduce inflammation.
Matcha
Yup, that's just a fancy word for green tea. It not only packs a bit of caffeine, which speeds up your heart rate and thus your metabolism, but it also has norepinephrine-stimulating EGCG, a nutrient that helps boost your metabolic rate.
Related: 9 Secret Calorie Bombs Lurking in Your Diet
Almond butter
The nutty spread is a low-glycemic food, meaning it helps keep your blood sugar level stable. That's crucial because regular blood sugar spikes and drops slow down your metabolism.
Salmon
The pink fish contains tons of fatty acids, which actually help your body burn fat. Other fatty fishes, like tuna and black cod, work too.
Amaranth
This whole grain contains a perfect trifecta of nutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. That balance of ingredients helps keep your system stable, so your metabolism runs more smoothly.
Mandarin oranges
Studies have proven that the smell of citrus calms you down and reduces levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone. And when you're not bugging out, you're less likely to reach for sugary comfort foods, which throw your metabolism out of whack. Other citrus fruits, like grapefruit, also do the job.
Pistachios
These nuts take pretty much forever to eat (the cracking! the shells!), which, while annoying, is great for your metabolism. Having small meals and snacks, like pistachios, throughout the day allows your body to process them more efficiently.
Related: The Magic Food Formula That Makes You Lose
Kale
Even more reason to grab a green juice after your workout: The leafy green contains lots of protein and fiber, both of which keep you full without spiking your blood sugar, which could mess with your metabolism. Other green veggies--think spinach and Brussels sprouts--are great too
Coconut water
This super-hydrator keeps you from getting dehydrated, which disrupts your metabolism.
Papaya
This island fruit contains papain, an enzyme that increases digestion and thus speeds up your metabolism.
Cottage cheese
The go-to snack is packed with protein, which takes longer to digest than carbs or fiber. And when your body has to work harder to break down a food, it burns more calories, supercharging your metabolism.
Hot peppers
Spicy foods contain capsaicin, an ingredient that may raise your body temperature when you eat, thus boosting your metabolism.
Related: 9 Habits That Slow Down Your Metabolism
Quinoa
This little supergrain is a big, big yes because it's packed with protein and fiber, both of which boost your metabolism.
Veggie soup
Between the broth and the veggies themselves, this comfort meal is basically all water. H2O keeps your entire system running, which is key for an efficient metabolism.
Blueberries
This fruit has a super-high water content, so much like veggie soup, it helps keep your system running smoothly to ensure that your metabolism is working at its best. Plus, thanks to their high fiber content, blueberries keep you regular.
Sources: Registered dietitian Lisa Young, author of The Portion Teller Plan; Susan Albers, Psy.D, author of Eat Q; Suzanne Steinbaum, M.D., author of Dr. Suzanne Steinman's Heart Book; registered dietician Keri Gans, author of The Small Change Diet; registered dietitian Michelle Davenport, Ph.D.
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