Natural Foods That Boost Metabolism

If you're feeling sluggish, heavy, and you're ready to kick-start weight loss and a healthier lifestyle, it all starts with your diet. There are many foods you can eat for any meal in your day that will help you boost your metabolism and lose weight. The reason these foods are so successful as metabolism boosters is because, in most cases, the energy required to draw energy and nutrients from them is close to the energy released from the food itself, meaning your body isn't gaining much by eating these foods.

Fruits

• Grapefruit is a key metabolism-booster not only because its high fiber content is hard for the body to break down, but also because it lowers your body's insulin levels, which can trigger your system's fat storage when they get high. Apples are another high-fiber fruit that also create a sense of satiety in your body, meaning they'll fill you up quickly.

Vegetables

• Spinach is rich in antioxidants, potassium, iron and vitamin C, while beans have high protein content. Both are high in fiber. Broccoli is particularly effective because of its high content of calcium--which operates as a metabolic trigger--and vitamin C, which helps your body absorb calcium. Jalapenos have a chemical called capsaicin in them, which keeps your metabolism high for hours after ingestion and also elevates your heart rate.

Other Beneficial Foods

• Yogurt is high in calcium and protein and requires a lot of energy to process. Almonds are similarly difficult to break down and high in protein, although they should also be eaten in moderation due to their high calorie content. Drinking coffee will infuse your body with caffeine, which is a known metabolism booster. Turkey is a high-protein meat with hardly any fat in it, making it difficult to metabolize while contributing much less fat content than other meats. Oatmeal is one of the highest-fiber foods you can eat and is very difficult to break down. Like grapefruit, it also lowers insulin levels. Drink soy milk if you want calcium without the fat or proteins of cow's milk. Add cinnamon to various foods as a seasoning--the spice helps maintain blood sugar levels and also helps lower cholesterol.