Many factors control the speed of your body's metabolic processes, but your favorite foods and eating habits directly affect healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. A sluggish digestive system or low nutrient intake will slow down metabolism, while a good diet and regular exercise will pump it up. As you learn which foods to avoid, replace them with more whole grains, lowfat meats and fish, and fruits and vegetables -- the foods that will help your body run efficiently.
Whole-Fat Dairy Products
Whole-milk yogurt, cream, sour cream, cheese and ice cream represent foods to avoid and replace with healthier milk products. Seemingly healthy foods that you eat every day or frequently can slow down metabolism gradually, without arousing suspicion about your good diet. If you drink milk daily, note the fat content.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, fatty foods move more slowly through the digestive system. A continual supply of up to 8 g of fat per 1 cup of whole milk or yogurt, versus 0 g in nonfat milk and yogurt, can cause you to exceed your total fat values and calorie allowances when added to the other foods on your daily menus. Becoming overweight and more sedentary can add to your lethargy.
Fried Foods
One tablespoon of vegetable oil has 14 g of fat in about 120 calories. If you eat fried foods such as fried chicken, fried eggs, donuts, and fish and chips often, the fat you absorb can slow down metabolism. For instance, of the FDA-recommended fat intake of 65 g or less, a large order of fast-food french fries has 29 g, or nearly half of the daily total for a good diet.
Frying fatty meats increases that amount. The American Heart Association, or AHA, includes fried items in foods to avoid, but suggests grilling, broiling, roasting, poaching or steaming them instead.
Fast Foods
Many fast foods have high fat content, with fried tacos, shrimp and chicken sandwiches near the top of the list to avoid. The AHA calls double-meat burgers and other super-sized orders foods to avoid for their excessive fat contents.
The portion size alone of a fast-food entree such as a 12-inch submarine sandwich can slow down metabolism by crowding your digestive tract with bulk. Adding extra meat, cheese or fatty avocado will only compound the health effects. The AHA also counsels avoiding the high sugar and calorie contents of regular soft drinks, which add no other nutritional value to a good diet.
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