Organic Foods That Boost Metabolism

Metabolism refers to the body's process of converting food we eat into energy, and the metabolic rate is the efficiency with which the body burns calories from food. When you consume food you boost your metabolic rate because energy is used to digest it, and certain foods require more energy to digest than others. In addition, organic foods reduce the body's intake of toxins, such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics and hormones, which also speeds metabolism, according to Dr. Edward Group of Global Healing Center.

Spicy Foods

• Spicy foods, such as chili peppers, boost metabolism because they generate heat in the body. Of the many varieties, Anaheim peppers are relatively mild, while the spicier tabasco peppers generate intense heat in the body and boost metabolism even more.

Negative-Calorie Foods

• Negative-calorie foods are those that contain fewer calories than the number required to digest them. According to Group, these metabolism-boosting foods include a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, including apples, celery, oranges, strawberries, lettuce and spinach. Also, choose organic varieties of these fruits and vegetables because they can be the most contaminated when grown conventionally, according to Dr. Suzann Wang at Green Health Spot.

Protein-Rich Foods

• The body uses more energy digesting protein than carbohydrates or fats because it contains amino acids, which is more difficult to break down, thus boosting metabolism. Beef is an excellent source of complete protein, but choose organic varieties from grass-fed cows because they are leaner and contain more nutrients and less fat. Fish and eggs are also good protein sources. Again, organic versions are better. For example, organic eggs contain more omega-3 fatty acids than conventional varieties. According to Dr. Liz Miller of Mind 1st, omega-3 fatty acids "activate enzymes responsible for burning fat, and combined with exercise and increased oxygen intake, they increase the metabolic rate."