Easy to Find Foods Guaranteed to Speed up Your Metabolism

How's your metabolism doing?  Has it slowwwwed down in the past few years?  Is it just sitting there on the couch begging you for a nap and a latte?  Are you gaining inches where you never used to?  Are things that used to keep the extra weight off, no longer working?

Don't worry.  You are not alone. But - I've found a pretty simple (and affordable) solution... Stick with me.  I won't let you down.

Here's the good news - it's really not that hard to get your body burning like a 20-something again. I dug up a list of some pretty tasty foods that are bound to boost your lackluster metabolism. Don't believe me? Try these for yourself!

And stay tuned because I've got a whole series lined up around tips and tricks to get your health exactly where you want it to be... yes, there will be recipes!

Here is a list of a few easy to find foods that actually BOOST your metabolism!!

Green tea (and green tea extract) can not only boost your metabolism without the jitters that come from too much coffee, but it can also help protect the body from disease-causing radicals that have been linked to cancer!  So that's a double win if you ask me.

Spices like black pepper, cayenne, chili, and ground ginger don't just get you hot around the collar. The seedier and more pungent the spice the better it is for energy increase and in one study people who consumed meals seasoned with ground black pepper, powdered ginger, powdered onion, red pepper, and mustard seeds burned upwards of 1,000 additional calories per day! This is also true for fresh peppers too.  Basically, if it burns your mouth, it will start a fire in your body as well. Keep that fire burning and bring on the spice.

Any nuts, seeds, hemp, flaxseed oil, or fatty fish that are high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids lower the hormone leptin which in turn leads to a faster metabolism. If you don't like the taste of fish, the oils and seeds can be incorporated into cooking, smoothies, and baking.

Here's a really easy one that we should all be doing anyway. Drinking water prior to eating and continuously throughout the day, you will notice more energy and an increased rate of fat burning.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away—and it also keeps the weight off, according to a study from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Researchers monitored the diets of a group of women. They surprisingly discovered that females who made it a point to eat 3 small apples daily also shed significantly more weight vs. women who didn’t munch on the fruit.

You likely already know that almonds are rich in calcium, a nutrient that’s long been associated with strengthening bones but is now credited with weight control. The study linked diets rich in calcium shed double the weight of those with low calcium diets.

Broccoli is so good for you.  If you don't like it, I'm kind of sad for you, actually and maybe we should talk... I'll send you some easy recipes that may help. Because here's the deal, broccoli is a fat fighter because it contains several detoxifying vitamins—notably A, C, and K, antioxidants, dietary fiber, and folate. All play an important role in the natural cleansing process, as well as weight management. I'm just sayin' trust me on this one.  I've got a couple of great-tasting ways to cook this magical treat that I promise you'll love.

Moving right along, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, limes, and lemons are all rich in vitamin C and studies have shown these fruits aid our fat burning efforts and boost metabolism. Diets rich in vitamin C ensure insulin balance, but more importantly, reduce instances where insulin spikes and we crave carbohydrate-loaded snacks during our day.

Whole grains—or grains that retain all naturally-occurring nutrients from the bran, germ, and endosperm compared to stripped, refined grains—lead to higher metabolism because they stabilize insulin levels. Diets rich in whole grains (i.e., quinoa, oats, and brown rice) ensure that carbohydrates are released slowly, to prevent spikes in blood sugar and hormone levels to regulate glucose in the blood, and associated snack attacks!

Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries encourage the production of the hormone, adiponectin, and prevent the expansion of fat cells.

In addition, research shows that berries rich in the micronutrients, polyphenols, (i.e., raspberries and strawberries) reduce the body’s absorption of fats and starches, which can add up quickly and cause weight gain.

Studies have linked garlic to higher testosterone levels. If you weren’t aware, the testosterone hormone is closely related to energy production. And we all know that more energy means more time to be active, exercise, eat well, and maintain healthy body weight.

One easy way to boost your metabolism and aid your weight loss efforts is to say no to foods and drinks high in refined sugar—such as candy, sodas, baked goods, processed snacks, and sugar-infused coffees and teas.

Instead, if you’re craving sweets, choose from the choices above to satisfy your sweet tooth naturally with apple slices or a bowl of berries.