Foods that Increase Metabolism

Metabolism refers to the organic processes that are carried out in the cells on the living organism and are vital for normal functioning of the body. Although every morsel of food that you consume is processed and metabolized, there are certain foods that enhance the rate of metabolism.

Weight Loss and Metabolism

Increased metabolism is achieved by eating more, but eating smart. It not only helps to enhance the metabolic processes but also helps to burn the extra fat and enhance overall health condition. It is a fact that amongst all the food groups, complex carbohydrates and proteins require more energy for their breakdown and absorption. The foods that increase metabolism are those that are high in complex carbohydrates and proteins.

Since the breakdown and absorption of complex carbohydrates and proteins takes longer time, the release of the caloric energy is spread out over a longer period of time, which results in less insulin released into the blood stream. On the other hand sugars and fats, tend to give you a temporary and quick energy high, which is often followed by a low energy period, which results in increased craving for the sugar and fat products.

List of Foods that Increase Metabolic Rate

The list includes a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and spices. However in addition to the basic ingredients, it is also the cooking method that has an effect on the metabolism.

Spicy Food
It is a fact that spicy food can actually have an impact on the metabolism. A compound called Capsaicin, which is present in chili peppers, generates a lot of heat, which helps to burn more calories after a meal. Other spices, which have similar compounds and similar effects, are chilies; black pepper and ginger have similar effects. Several studies have shown that a meal containing a spicy dish can temporarily increase the metabolism rate by about 8 percent.

Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in fiber as well as many minerals and vitamins. Hence breakdown and absorption of minerals takes longer and hence requires a larger amount of energy to be spent by the body, thus increasing the metabolic rate. Some of the vegetables that can be consumed include, broccoli, radish, turnip, tomatoes, spinach, aubergine, cabbage, celery, carrots, chicory, cauliflower, cucumbers, cress, fennel, gourd, leek, lettuce, marrow, radish and peppers.

Fruits
Fruits are high in fiber, and although they contain sugar in its natural form, it is far better than refined or synthetic sugar which we use in everyday instances. Some of the common fruits, which help to increase the metabolism, include apples, apricots, blackberries, blackcurrant, clementines, damsons, guavas, grapefruit, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, oranges, plums, peaches, raspberries, strawberries and tangerines.

Whole grains
Whole grains like oats, wheat, barley or even soy products are a great way to increase the metabolism. Whole grains contain a lot of protein and fiber, which makes them difficult to break down and hence increases the amount of energy spent in their breakdown and absorption.

Cooking with little or oil is very good, and in case where it is impossible to avoid using oil, it is always better to use healthy oils like canola or olive oil. Similarly instead of having three heavy meals, it is always better to eat smaller portions at regular intervals of two to three hours, combined with exercise or energetic household chores.