If you're feeling sluggish due to slow digestion or poor blood count, including a few energy foods in your diet can put you back on track. Your metabolism depends on the nutrients absorbed by your digestive system and transferred to your bloodstream for delivery to cells. To make this process more efficient, increase fiber and decrease saturated fat and cholesterol intakes for better digestive quality. Choose foods that also have strong protein, iron and vitamin B contents for greater red blood cell count.
Wheat and Oat Cereals
With their broad nutrition, little fat and no cholesterol to slow digestion, oatmeal and wheat bran cereals boost your metabolic rate in many ways. The USDA reports that one serving of these whole grain cereals contains up to 10 percent daily value of protein and as much as 40 percent DV of fiber. Fortified cereals also might provide a full 100 percent DV of both iron and several B vitamins, both instrumental nutrients in boosting your energy level. Get additional protein and B vitamins by adding 1 cup of fat-free milk to your cereal.
Cooked Spinach
Spinach needs no accompaniments to increase your metabolism, just cooking to concentrate its wide array of nutrients. This leafy green is easy to digest, with little fat, no cholesterol and a substantial 17 percent DV of dietary fiber per 1 cooked cup. That serving of spinach also boasts 10 percent DV of protein, plus a high content of iron and several B vitamins, such as B-6 and folate, which are necessary to red blood cell synthesis and adequate oxygen transport to body cells.
Salmon
This major source of protein outdoes meats such as beef and pork with its lower saturated fat content that eases digestion. Depending on the salmon variety, a 3 oz. serving delivers as much as 50 percent DV of protein and B vitamin content, including B-6 and B-12, to build your blood count. According to the American Heart Association, the ratio of omega-3 polyunsaturated fat in sockeye salmon, in particular, has a significant effect on your blood cholesterol, to improve cardiovascular function and increase metabolism.
Navy Beans
This protein source makes a good reduction in your saturated fat and cholesterol levels when a serving replaces meat or fish. Lose these detrimental nutrients and gain the most fiber of any plant-based food, a full 100 percent DV per 1 cup of cooked navy beans, according to the USDA. Strong iron content and some B vitamins provide further boosts to your blood and cellular metabolism.
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