Thermal foods help boost your metabolism. As your metabolic rate increases, you burn more calories and can shed weight with greater ease. While thermal foods can be a part of your weight-loss plan, to effectively lose weight, you need to eat a balanced, nutritious diet and follow an exercise program, because eating certain foods alone won't promote long-term weight loss. Before following any diet or exercise program consult a physician.
Thermogenesis
The Mayo Clinic notes thermogenesis, or food processing, accounts for about 10 percent of the calories you burn each day. Storing, transporting, absorbing and digesting the food you consume burns calories. Specific types of food carry a stronger thermic effect than others. Your body's energy requirements to process food generally remain constant.
Jalapeno Peppers
Jalapeno peppers contain the chemical capsaicin. The compound promotes an increase in metabolism and elevates your heart rate. Spice up meals or snacks with jalapeno peppers, providing you with an afternoon or evening energy boost. In addition to being thermogenic, spicy foods such as jalapenos are satiating, which can prevent overeating.
Green Tea
Drink a cup of green tea with breakfast to boost your metabolism. Green tea is rich in EGCG, a chemical that causes the nervous system and brain to run faster and burn increased calories. EGCG provides an energetic boost similar to caffeine but does not cause your heart to beat more quickly.
Whole Grains
Whole grains such as oats or whole-grain cereals contain metabolism-boosting fiber. Whole-grain complex carbohydrates don't cause a big insulin spike like refined carbs such as white bread or pasta. Insulin spikes send a signal to your body to store fat. Eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast to rev up your calorie burn and keep insulin levels stable throughout the day.
Apples
Apples are fiber-filled, water-rich fruits that contain cancer-fighting antioxidants. Pectin in apples can limit the amount of fat your cells can absorb, and fiber helps keep you full throughout the day. Limit your intake to reasonable levels however, because apples contain high levels of natural sugars, which can spike insulin and promote weight gain.
Chicken
Chicken contains high levels of metabolism-boosting protein. Your body burns more calories processing protein compared to fats and carbohydrates. Protein is the building block of muscle. As your lean muscle mass increases, your metabolism moves into overdrive.
