Metabolism boosting foods(FactFriday #9)

I don't know about you, but I get very frustrated when I see my aunt eating everyday near the point of puking and not getting a pound heavier. She obviously has a fast (light speed) metabolism. On the other hand I drink half a glass of water and I become a land whale.

I have a very slow metabolism and I hate it. So recently I have been starting to look into foods that can make me digest food faster so I can burn calories more efficiently.

Firstly, metabolism is the process of breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to yield the energy your body needs to maintain itself. The rate of your metabolism depends on the interaction between the number of calories you consume, the number of calories you burn while eating and exercising, and the calories you burn based on your individual genetic makeup.

Naturally,the metabolism slows down with age but we can help boost it if, like me, years of dieting and putting your body into starvation mode has destroyed its natural rhythm.

Here is a list of 10 well known metabolism boosting foods. These are not only good for you but also are very delicious!

• Egg whites, they are rich in branched-chain amino acids, which keep your metabolism stoked.

• Lean meat, it is full of iron. Deficiencies in the mineral can slow metabolism. Eat three to four daily servings of iron-rich foods, such as chicken or fortified cereal.

• Water, if you're even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down. A good tip is to drink water colder so that your body will burn more calories to bring it up to body temperature.

• Chili peppers, they contain capsaicin, a chemical compound that can kick metabolism into higher gear.Chili peppers are also an unexpected source of vitamin C.

• Coffee, the average metabolic rate of people who drank caffeinated coffee was 16 percent higher than that of those who drank decaf.

• Green tea, the brew contains a plant compound called EGCG, which promotes fat-burning, research suggests.

• Milk, consuming calcium may help your body metabolize fat more efficiently.

• Whole grains help your body burn more fat because they take extra effort to break down than processed grains, like white bread and pasta. Whole foods that are rich in fiber, like brown rice and oatmeal, are your best bets.

• Lentils, about 20 percent of women are iron deficient. One cup of lentils provides 35% of daily iron needs.

• Grapefruit, this citrus fruit, that is full of vitamin C, will reduce insulin levels which ultimately promotes weight loss.

Remember, if like me you have a slow metabolism, eat these foods and gradually restore your naturally metabolism rhythm. This way, you will not kick yourself in the head when you gained a pound from half a glass of water.