|  | Conditions Treatments | Metabolism Disorders

10 Ways to Boost Metabolism

Your metabolism is a valuable thing to boost because it increases the amount of calories you burn at rest. This in turn helps you increase your weight loss and therefore your health. If you are experiencing a slow metabolism, give it a boost with these healthy habits to enhance weight loss.

  1. 1. Eat Breakfast

    • Eating breakfast can your metabolism by as much as 10 percent. It's a good idea to start with foods that give you energy and help you feel fuller longer, such as whole-wheat toast, English muffins or bagels; low-fat yogurt and granola; and egg whites.

    2. Snack Smart

    • Snacking doesn't have to be the enemy; in fact, eating snacks in between meals can fuel your metabolism's fire and preventing overeating. Try smart snacks that have health-boosting power, such as a banana with peanut butter, trail mix, or string cheese made with skim milk and an apple or pear.

    3. Take a multivitamin

    • Vitamins such as B vitamins and magnesium have been shown to boost the metabolism. If you prefer to get these vitamins from the foods you consume, try eating spinach, beans, eggs, kale, broccoli, or other leafy green vegetables.

    4. Lift weights

    • Strength training builds muscle in your body, which burns more calories at rest than fat. According to a study at the University of Arkansas, a woman who strength trains over a period of six months for three days a week can burn as many as 10 to 32 extra calories per day, which can add up to big rewards over the course of a year.

    5. Consume enough calories

    • One mistake many dieters make is to restrict the amount of calories eaten, which can actually slow the metabolism and prevent weight loss. Instead, a person should eat regular, small meals throughout the day consuming the proper amount of calories for his or her age, weight, activity level and body type.

    6. Practice portion control

    • Eating too much food can cause your metabolism to become overloaded, meaning not all calories eaten can be used for energy. Refer to a food scale or a calorie-counting website to give you an example of the proper portion sizes for the foods you are eating.

    7. Lower stress levels

    • Feelings of stress and anxiety can cause inflammation in the body. Inflammation makes processes, such as metabolism and digestion, slow down. If you are feeling particularly or constantly stressed, try deep-breathing exercises, writing in a journal, or exercising to reduce stress levels and boost metabolism.

    8. Spice up your meals

    • Spices such as cinnamon have been shown to increase your metabolism. Other spices such as cayenne pepper and other pepper-containing spices also have been shown to boost metabolism.

    9. Drink cold beverages

    • When your body ingests something cold, it has to work harder in order to increase the body's temperature. Additionally, beverages that contain caffeine also can boost metabolism.

    10. Fidget while you work

    • Even if you sit at a desk for work, constantly moving around in your office, fidgeting or frequently standing up and down can increase your resting metabolic rate.

Metabolism Disorders - Related Articles