Dieting and weight loss is a dark cloud that looms over many people’s lives on a daily basis. One thing is for certain; society’s rules for what we value in people has changed, and it seems like there is a huge emphasis on the way we look. Regardless of how you see this, one thing is for certain: the way we feel about ourselves is very closely linked to the way we look. Everything we experience in life we experience in our bodies. Keeping a healthy body is vital part of enjoying life to the full. From this perspective, weight loss really does take on a new meaning and an entire industry evolved around weight loss products, pills and potions. One of the big selling points in recent years has been that of metabolism and in many ways advertising ‘trashed’ the term. So what is metabolism and are there really any foods that boost metabolism?
Metabolism is the natural process through which your body converts food into energy for consumption by your organs, your muscles and your ordinary bodily functions. Metabolism is what many ‘dieters’ refer to as ‘burning calories’ and the obsession with counting calories spelled the end for many diets. The concept of weight loss is very simple. Burn more calories than you consume. This will allow your body to resort to it’s fat reserves which results in weight loss.
Now, there are only two ways to do this. You can either decrease the amount of calories you consume, or you can increase the demand for calories needed through exercise. For the purpose of this exercise, let’s focus on ‘diet’ and foods that boost metabolism.
Water is probably the most important ‘food’ for maintaining a high metabolism. Water is the number one solvent known to mankind and no metabolic process can occur without it. By keeping your body properly hydrated at all times, you not only support your metabolism, but you help to increase it as it helps to rid your body of toxins and waste products.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are ‘the’ foods that boost metabolism. Most people don’t like hearing this as the lure of junk food and sweets don’t really coincide with the fresh fruit and vegetables prescription. While fatty foods and excessive sugars increase the amount of calories you take in (more to burn off) it also slows down your metabolism rapidly. It’s a lot of complex food to digest with very little energy content.
Fruits and vegetables on the other hand are very rich in nutrients and very low in calories. Increasing your intake of high-fiber foods like vegetables is one of the best ways to increase your metabolism. Although Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate, your body still tries hard to break it down and uses up energy in the process which results in boosting your metabolism. Plus, vegetables are low in calories, yet high in nutrients -- a huge bonus for your weight loss efforts.
Another great food that boosts metabolism is fish (not all fish though). Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) found only in fish oils. The effects of fish oil in your body are that it increases the levels of fat-burning enzymes and it decreases the levels of fat-storage enzymes. It's been shown to boost your metabolism by as much as 400 calories per day. Fish like Mackerel, Salmon and Trout are great sources of omega-3, but you can also take capsules (take at least 300mg).
Although diet is important, what is equally important is your dietary patterns. Although there are foods that boost metabolism, you have to remember that the quantity and frequency with which you consume it also important. It is recommended that you eat more often, but less amounts at a time to increase your metabolism. Having 3-5 smaller, healthier meals throughout the day and drinking plenty of water will definitely increase your metabolism and assist you in weight loss.
Article by Deon Du Plessis
If you found this article useful and you would like to learn more about increasing your metabolism, visit www.Sincere-Advice.com/Metabolism.php for a free nutritional guide.
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