Eating meat does nothing to increase your metabolism. In fact, your basal metabolic rate -- which has the most influence over the number of calories your body uses each day -- stays fairly consistent. What you eat and drink doesn't alter how the body converts food to energy, nor does it change how it uses this energy, so increasing the intake of meat alone won't necessarily cause you to lose weight.
Caloric Deficit
To lose weight, you want to generate an energy deficit. It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to shed 1 lb. of fat. Eating fewer calories each day can bring on this deficit, but focusing on solitary food group isn't the best way to do this. Instead, you want to draw from all foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds and dairy -- preferably those products low in fat.
Metabolism
Approximately 60 to 75 percent of the calories your body uses each day is a result of your metabolism. If your current caloric need is 2,000 calories, anywhere between 1,200 and 1,500 calories are used to breathe, circulate blood, produce hormones, repair cells, grow tissue and sustain other base functions. Meat -- or protein, for that matter -- doesn't change these energy needs, and thereby can't alter the metabolism.
Thermogenesis
Another 10 percent of the calories used each day, according to MayoClinic.com, are linked to thermogenesis. This process involves everything relating to the digestion and assimilation of food in the body. A daily caloric need of 2,000 calories uses only 200 of these calories to process food. Even if it took more energy for the body to process meat, you're not looking at much of an impact on calorie-usage.
Activity
Any remaining calories -- or 15 to 30 percent -- are used to fuel physical activity. If your caloric need is 2,000 calories, 300 to 600 calories are used to move the body at its current level of physical activity. For this reason, increasing your level of physical activity can help you lose weight. You create an energy deficit by expending more energy than normal, and the body must now turn to its fat stores for fuel, promoting weight loss.
Body Composition
Although these percentages aren't easily changed, this isn't to say you can't alter your metabolism. Any activity that builds muscle, such as lifting weights, biking, swimming and other athletic pursuits, causes the body to not only burn calories during the activity itself, but throughout the rest of the day. Muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so adding muscle to your frame essentially boosts your metabolism. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderately intense cardio five days of the week and eight to 10 strength-training exercises two days a week.



Member Comments