Since writing this article I have revisited the topic of eating and metabolism. At the time of writing I thought that eating more frequently could boost your metabolism. However, after further reading I have realised that my initial assumption was wrong. For the full details you can read my up to date article on how eating affects your metabolism.
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Many people are sceptical regarding the idea that there are super foods out there which burn fat and boost your metabolism. On the one hand these sceptics have a point because a diet consisting of a single food is not good for you and will not boost your metabolism. On the other hand it is true that a combination of these super foods can assist you with weight loss, increase your metabolic rate, lower your cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and improve your mood.
So which foods fall into the category of super foods? The list below provides just a few:
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Celery
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Pumpkin
- Salmon
- Tomatoes
- Walnuts
- Yoghurt
Before you rush out and buy any of these super foods it is important to understand that they are not a magical solution that will instantly improve your metabolism and burn the fat. Switching to a diet which consists solely of super foods will not yield many benefits. However, incorporating super foods into an overall fitness program will maximise the benefits you gain. To effectively introduce super foods with an overall fitness program, follow the advice below.
1) EAT SMARTER:- Try to eat smaller portions of food more frequently throughout the day. Instead of the traditional three meals a day, break it down to five or six mini-meals. This will help reduce your metabolism. In each of these small meals include some super foods but make sure they do not consist entirely of super foods. Balance is the key when preparing your meals.
2) INCREASE CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE:- Increasing the amount of cardiovascular exercise you do will help increase your metabolism. This does not mean you have to participate in a ten mile run every day. Try walking to places you would normally drive, playing with your kids or doing some gardening. Anything that makes you a little more active will improve your metabolism.
3) BUILD MUSCLE:- The more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn each day and the higher your metabolic rate will become. Again, you do not have to do anything substantial but incorporating some weight lifting into your weekly routine will help boost your metabolism.
Overall, super foods can boost the effects of leading a healthy lifestyle but they cannot make you healthy on their own. A diet consisting of just super foods is damaging in the long term. However, if you consume super foods as part of an overall fitness program, they will improve your results. If you are thinking about incorporating super foods into your routine seek advice from a dietician. They will be able to formulate a plan that is right for you.