Ladies, as we get older, our metabolism slows down. That’s an unfortunate side effect of getting older that we all know about and have to deal with it. However, in addition to a healthy diet and exercise, it’s a good idea to focus on foods that are known for their boost in metabolism, which is what will help you burn fat and lost weight.
Reality Check – No Quick Fix
There is no quick fix for weight loss. That’s another unfortunate piece of information we’ve been blessed with. No pill will “melt away” the fat without some effort on our part to eat well and exercise. If you’re one of the women (like me) who have to exercise to the point of paralysis in order to lose a pound or 2 a month, this will be a good article for you. The below is in no way an exhaustive list of fat-burning, energy boosting foods, but it’s a good start for you. Check out the sources below for more information and more foods.
Foodie
I’m not even going to bother adding drinks and smoothies here. I’m a foodie. I can’t stand trying to supplement food with drinks or pills. I want to eat, darn it. There is nothing more satisfying than chewing and enjoying the flavor of delicious food, especially when it’s healthy and you know you’re doing something good for your body. There are a good amount of herbs and teas that will help with fat-burning, but should in no way be used to stave off the hunger of starvation for the sake of weight loss. So, with that said… let’s eat!
Top 5 Healthy Foods for Metabolism
1. Whole grain bread and pastas: My favorite. I’m Italian and have a deep love for bread and pasta. White bread and pasta is terribly bad for the metabolism, however. Instead use whole organic grains and you will find a good substitute. It takes twice as many calories to break down whole grains and organic foods, so the calories will be easier to burn.
2. Lean meats and Tofu: Lean meats, poultry, fish, and tofu are the best choices for protein. This is because you burn more calories with these thermogenic foods than you would with fattier meats, which get stuck in the digestive system.
3. Bananas with Almond Butter: This is beyond delicious. There’s a lot you can do with these two ingredients. Bananas have a starch that turns into fatty acid in the gut by good bacteria and helps metabolize fats. Almonds and organic (no sugar added) almond butter have a good source of protein and good fats that provide energy and give you a sense of fullness. It will help you build muscle and therefore burn more calories and fat. Great for speeding up metabolism.
4. Avocados: These are high in monosaturated fats (good fats) which helps you burn more calories, keep you full for longer and keep you more energized. These should be limited to 2 to 3 times a week, but definitely should be added to the weekly menu with recipes like homemade guacamole dip and avocado toppings for salads and burgers.
5. Lentils: I am a big fan of lentil soup. These are a good source of iron, which a lot of people are deficient in. Iron deficiency can lead to a multitude of problems like anemia and obesity (deficiency slows metabolism).
For more information and more foods, check out the below sources.
Sources:
Web MD tips for fat-burning
Womens Health Magazine best fat burning foods
Huffington Post fat burning foods
