Foods that Speed Up Your Fat Metabolism

There are several whole foods that speed up your fat metabolism  and help you lose weight quickly, and the more that you add  these foods into your diet the easier it will be to  maintain a healthy weight. Some of these foods help you with digestion and increase the amount of calories that you burn, others reduce inflammation which is associated with weight gain, while other foods help your body break down fat, stabilize your blood sugar and more. You want to eat as many of these metabolism boosting foods as you can, and the more of them that you include in your diet the easier it will be for you to stay at a healthy weight. The HCG diet includes many of these foods because not only is the diet designed to help you lose weight through a safe calorie deficit, it boosts your fat metabolism and helps you lose weight even after the diet is over.

Green tea is one of the top fat metabolism boosters

Green tea is actually a drink but it is considered to be one of the best metabolism boosters anywhere, and it can help you burn fat through several different mechanisms. Green tea is packed with antioxidants and substances called catechins, and in particular a substance called EGCG which is proven to help your body burn fat and increase your metabolism. Several studies have found that people who drink anywhere from 3 to 5 cups of green tea on a daily basis lose more weight and stay at a healthier BMI compared to people who don't. People who drink green tea and exercise have an even greater fat metabolism boosting effect, and the increased fat metabolism can be up to 17%. It really isn't that difficult to drink 4 to 5 cups of the tea per day, and although it does contain caffeine it contains much less than coffee.

Apples are a great metabolism booster

Apples are one of the best weight loss foods on the planet because they are low in calories, high in fiber, and they help you lose weight with some of their bioactive compounds. The compounds in apples can promote the growth of good bacteria which can help you lose weight. The fiber and polyphenols in apples are undigested until they reach your colon and they feed and support the growth of the good bacteria, which in turn helps to reduce inflammation levels. Inflammation is associated with obesity and a poor metabolism, so by reducing inflammation apples can help you lose weight and prevent future weight gain. The HCG diet includes the use of apples and even uses them as a metabolism breaker, and with the science now catching up to the diet it is clear why!

Cayenne pepper can increase your metabolism

Several studies have proven that cayenne pepper is a great metabolism booster. Adding cayenne pepper to your dishes can boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories after eating a meal. The capsaicin in chili peppers and cayenne pepper works to reduce inflammation which in turn can help you lose weight faster. After eating a spicy meal, studies show that your metabolism jumps up by around 8% without doing anything at all for a period of time. Another effect that foods with cayenne pepper have is that they make you feel more satisfied faster, which means that you are less likely to overeat, and many studies have found that people who eat spicier foods are more likely to be lean, so it works as a bit of an appetite suppressant. On top of it there are other health benefits to adding cayenne pepper to your meals such as a lower risk of cancer and other chronic illnesses.

Many types of fish can boost your metabolism

Fish is one of the best metabolism boosting foods for several reasons. First, they are a low calorie source of protein, and the more protein that you include in your diet the less likely you are to overeat less healthy foods like carbohydrate rich foods. Studies have shown that two servings of fish per week can increase the level of fat burning enzymes in your body, and the best types of fish to eat regularly are those with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna (be careful about eating too much of this fish because of the mercury content). The omega-3 fatty acids in fish can help you maintain a healthy weight through many different biological mechanisms, including reducing inflammation, but they also reduce the levels of the hormone leptin which is associated appetite.

Citrus fruits can help you lose weight

One of the best benefits of citrus fruits is that they can help you lose weight by increasing your fat metabolism. Oranges, lemons and grapefruit are high in vitamin C which helps the body metabolize fat. Studies have shown that people who ate a portion of grapefruit during every meal lost a larger amount of weight compared to a control group. Citrus fruits are also high in fiber and water, both of which help you feel more satiated and digest slowly in your stomach. Another great use of citrus fruits for weight loss is to use them as a seasoning; they add plenty of flavor to your food with almost no extra calories, and this is one main reason why the HCG diet allows you to eat them and use them in seasonings.

Garlic is one of the best weight loss seasonings

Garlic has many health benefits, but a lesser known benefit is its ability to prevent weight gain and help with weight loss. Garlic can prevent the development of diabetes by helping to stabilize blood sugar levels, which in turn can help to regulate appetite. Garlic can help your body reduce levels of bad LDL cholesterol while raising the levels of good HDL cholesterol, and it can reduce inflammation levels which as previously mentioned can help you lose weight. In animal studies, garlic has been shown to reduce fat reserves in mice that were fed a diet that led to weight gain. To get the most health benefits from garlic, be sure to crush it before you prepare it, as crushing the garlic releases beneficial enzymes.

Berries are one of the best metabolism boosters

Berries are an excellent source of fiber and they are very low in calories, and because of the fact that they are so high in fiber they are very filling. They are an excellent metabolism booster as well, and raspberries in particular have substances called ketones that may help to prevent fat from building up while reducing abnormal fat levels as well. Strawberries help to regulate your blood sugar and lower your blood sugar after meals, which in turn reduces the amount of fat that you store after a meal. Raspberry ketones have also been shown to be effective at reducing the building of dangerous visceral fat, which is fat that surrounds the organs and is associated with a wide range of different diseases including cancer and type 2 diabetes. So if you are trying to lose weight try to eat more berries, and it is even better if you mix them with other foods that can boost your metabolism like citrus fruits, Greek yogurt, and many others.

About the author

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

6 years ago · 4 min read