Diet For Enhancing Metabolism In Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones or is surgically removed, or your body becomes resistant to the effects of thyroid hormone. Side effects of this include a slowing of your metabolism, according to the American Thyroid Association. You also may experience a lack of energy, decreasing the amount of physical activity in your life. Thyroid replacement hormones are usually administered to treat hypothyroidism, but some people may still struggle with their weight. Fortunately, dietary approaches can help enhance your metabolism so you can lose weight. Check with your doctor before making significant changes to your eating habits.

Eat Breakfast

Dietician Katherine Zeratsky of the Mayo Clinic explains that eating breakfast as soon as possible after waking up is one of the best ways to kick start your metabolism. When you're sleeping and not engaged in anything physical, your metabolism is at its slowest. Providing an initial source of energy by eating a healthy breakfast that includes a lean source of protein like cottage cheese, whole grain toast and a piece of fruit forces your metabolism to increase. Skipping breakfast, in contrast, keeps your metabolism at a lower level, making it more difficult for you to function because you lack energy.

Eat Smaller Portions More Often

Each time you eat food, your body's metabolism increases in order to process the nutrients and excrete waste products. After three hours of not eating, however, your metabolism declines and waiting too long between meals can cause it to slow to a crawl. Instead of consuming three large meals, having smaller portions and eating them more often can keep your metabolism at a consistently higher level than waiting hours to eat. With this change, you'll notice your energy levels also become more balanced, as you provide a more continuous source of energy. This can help you burn more energy naturally and give you energy to become more physically active.

Increase Your Protein Intake

If you're including physical activity as part of your plan to increase your metabolism, you need to up your protein intake. A 2001 study published in the "International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism" found that protein eaten within a 24- to 48-hour window of exercising helps maintain lean muscle. Boosting your diet to include sources of lean protein such as egg whites, skinless white meat poultry, pork, beans, fish and legumes can boost your metabolism. Replacing highly processed, high-sugar, nutritionally poor foods with lean sources of protein at each meal can also improve the quality of your diet and decrease the amount of fat and sugar you consume. This, combined with the added protein, can help you lose weight without experiencing feelings of hunger that can occur when eating highly processed foods.

Eat Spicy Foods

Spicy foods, such as hot peppers and chili powder, cause a temporary boost in your body's core temperature that also causes an increase in your metabolism. Additionally, a 2009 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that participants who consumed capsinoids extracted from hot peppers experienced a decrease in the amount of abdominal fat. This finding suggests that spicy foods like hot peppers may help you lose weight from around the abdominal area. If you haven't been using spicy foods or they aren't your preference, capsaicin is also available in capsule form at your local health-food store.