One of the keys to healthy weight loss and maintenance is having an efficient metabolism, and one way to rev it up is by exercising. Another way is to eat foods which naturally help burn fat. There are several foods and beverages which --- in addition to being good choices for overall diet and health --- have the added benefit of boosting the metabolism.
Foods
The website Ecosalon names a number of foods as beneficial for boosting metabolism. Grapefruit, rich in fiber, lowers insulin levels that trigger your body to store fat. The pro-biotic cultures found in yogurt help regulate digestion. Protein-rich turkey builds muscle, which then raises metabolism and burns extra calories. Just like Popeye promised, spinach makes you strong, increases your metabolic rate and is a good antioxidant to scavenge free radicals. The fiber in beans requires extra energy to process. Essential fatty acids found in almonds and salmon raise your metabolism. Apples and berries are good sources of fiber to keep you feeling full. Broccoli and other brassica family vegetables improve metabolism. Oatmeal's soluble and insoluble fiber fills you up, while soy milk is loaded with calcium to increase metabolism.
Beverages
According to Diet.com, regular water consumption helps the body with digestion and detoxification, and can raise your metabolic rate by 30 percent. By making that water really cold --- below 40 degrees --- you will burn even more calories. If you add a tablespoon of lemon juice to it, it will slow your digestion, which allows your body more time to metabolize and speed everything up. If you have a cup of green tea in the morning, you are helping to burn fat because of the catechins contained in the tea. Coffee also gives you a boost due to the caffeine, but you should limit consumption to two to three cups per day.
Thermogenic Foods
Thermogenic foods produce heat in the body, which naturally burns fat. Thermogenic foods include cayenne, ginger, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, cinnamon, hot peppers, citrus fruits, apple cider vinegar and green tea. When eaten on a regular basis, these foods can help keep your metabolism running high.
Other Methods
Eating slowly and chewing well allows your food to break down properly so that your cells can use the nutrients better. Enjoying broth-based soups filled with vegetables before a meal can help with weight loss, a Baylor College of Medicine study found. Since soup is largely comprised of water, it is filling. Keeping your blood sugar stable by eating several small meals a day also helps control cravings, as can avoiding simple sugars and artificial sweeteners.
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