Are you tired of watching your weight as it goes up?! Tired of
working out day in and week out and getting sh*t results? If you are, then you
should give your nutrition a rethink. A wise
man once said “you cant work out a bad diet in the gym” , I would like to add
that the best place to boost your metabolism and lose fat is in the kitchen!
What has your metabolism got to do with burning fat? Well a
lot actually, your metabolism crudely defined is how fast your body’s engine
works. The faster this engine works, the quicker your food digests, the quicker
your body can absorb nutrients and the faster your body can burn calories. While
we cannot pin all the blame of a bulging waistline on slow metabolism alone (sorry
guys!), what you eat and drink and your level of physical activity both
contribute to it.
As it turns out, there are certain foods that are better
than others at raising your metabolism level and hence your body’s potential to
burn and keep off fat. Today I am giving you a list of 8 foods and drinks you
have probably taken for granted, overlooked or are totally ignorant about in
your war with fat. Not anymore! If you take this list seriously and include
them regularly in your diet, your weight loss arsenal will be significantly
reduced and I promise you better gains in your weight loss battle.
Thanks, and do have a wonderful weekend!
1.
GREEN TEA:
I know a no brainer right? However you
would be surprised to know how many people ignore the power of green tea. If you
are looking to raise your fat burning potential, then reach for a cup of green
tea today. The secret to its ability to raise your metabolism is the caffeine
and catechins it contains, green tea contains a particular catechin called EGCG
that contributes to its ability to promote fat burning and increase metabolism
beyond the effects of caffeine alone. You can drink it as a tea or in pill form
as a supplement, however be careful with the dosage if you are sensitive to
caffeine.
2.
EGGS:
Jumpstart your metabolism with
this protein power pack, make sure that they are always part of your breakfast.
Forget that nonsense you hear about eggs and cholesterol (that an argument for
another day), not only can they be cooked in a variety of ways, but the protein
packed yolk can give your metabolism a nice boost, while keeping you well satisfied.
3.
CHICKEN BREAST:
Still on the poultry trail, another food to
add to your diet is chicken breast. Chicken, specifically the breast is packed
with protein. We know that eating, the act of chewing, swallowing and breaking
down food expends energy, but not all calories are burnt equally. Chicken breast
is a great source of healthy lean protein; also it takes more energy to digest
it than to digest carbs or even fat. Adding lean chicken to your diet is much
healthier than adding protein from red meat i.e beef, hence my hang up for
chicken, just be sure to roast or grill, no frying!!
4.
RED PEPPER:
If you don’t have a taste for pepper,
better acquire it quick! Research shows that eating red pepper helps keep your
metabolism high. Reports have shown that adding about 6 to 10 grams of red
pepper to your meals can increase calorie expenditure while reducing appetite
at the same time, the power of pepper is in a substance called capsaicin. It has
been shown to boost metabolic rate and decrease cholesterol while increasing
fat metabolizing enzymes. So what are you waiting for? Get some “ata wewe” and
cry yourself to a slimmer you!
5.
BEANS:
This was my favourite in boarding school;
turns out I was unto something! Beans aka ewa is as close to a wonder food as
it gets, it’s loaded with complex carbs, protein and soluble fiber, what’s not
to like? As a bonus, beans is a good source of Vitamin B. Vitamin B plays an
important role in turning food to fuel, helping us to stay energized throughout
the day. With the fiber content, beans makes you feel fuller for longer, hence
it curbs hunger and food cravings, while burning more calories during its slow
digestion.
6.
COFFEE:
This is my all-time favourite drink that
gets an unfair bad reputation, coffee does more than just keep you awake, and
it can also help in healthy weight management. Caffeine, the active ingredient
in coffee has been shown in many studies to help boost metabolism and increase
the rate of fat breakdown. The only negative I can accept about coffee is that
you should be careful if you are one of those sensitive to caffeine or have
blood pressure issues, then proceed with caution. If not, enjoy at least 2 cups
of black a day without any worries!
7.
GREEK YOGURT:
Okay, I know this might be difficult to get
and also expensive, but it’s worth it. Unlike your average popular supermarket
brands loaded with sugar and other junk, not only is Greek yogurt packed with
protein, it is also an excellent source of calcium. What’s so special about the
calcium content? Well, we often think about calcium as a bone builder but it
also has thermogenic properties i.e. it helps you burn more fat when combined
with exercise and a good diet. I know real Greek yogurt might be scarce or
expensive, so if you can lay your hands on plain unsweetened yogurt it can also
help do the trick.
8.
MACKEREL:
I know what you are thinking, Titus? This oily
fish is not to be underrated, it is an excellent source of Omega 3 which is important
if you are looking to rev up your metabolism. EPA and DHA two essential fatty
acids found in Omega 3 can have a positive effect on leptin, a hormone which
regulates metabolism rate; help increase energy expenditure during exercise and
increase lean muscle mass. My cooking suggestion? Either roast it or boil it, never, ever fry this fish, it just ruins it!
There we have it folks, 8 foods to help rev
up your metabolism and help your weight loss and muscle building efforts. Whatever
fitness activity or motivations you have, you can only fare better by
incorporating more not less of these foods and drinks in your diet, so what are
you waiting for?
Thanks, and do have a wonderful weekend!
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