Most Successful Food To Increase Metabolism

Metabolism is the process by which your body converts food and drink into energy. Metabolism provides the energy your body needs to function, including breathing, blood circulation, hormone regulation, food digestion, and growing and repairing cells. Factors influencing metabolism include body size and composition, age and gender. Certain foods can increase your metabolic rate.

Lean Protein

The thermic effect of food is the number of calories burned during digestion. According to the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," the thermic effect of protein accounts for 20 to 35 percent of energy consumed. A main reason for this is that your body has no storage capacity for protein; therefore, it must be metabolized immediately. Not only does your body have to work hard to break down protein, thus expending energy, but it requires even greater energy to build new proteins, sugars and urea. Good sources of protein are fish, poultry and lean red meat.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are low calorie and high in fiber. They contain small enough amounts of carbohydrate that there will not be any unused sugar to be stored as fat. The body cannot digest fiber; however, fiber plays a key role in providing bulk to waste and keeping the intestines moving, thus increasing energy expenditure. Fruits and vegetables that increase metabolism most are dark leafy green vegetables, tomatoes and blueberries.

Whole Grains

Whole grains have a higher carbohydrate content than fruits and vegetables; however, it takes the body longer amounts of time and energy to break them down. Whole grains also contain fiber. In addition to its intestinal benefits, fiber helps with feeling full, which may decrease overall caloric consumption. Good sources of whole grains are whole-wheat breads, brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, barley, wild rice and whole-grain pastas.

Other Methods to Increase Your Metabolism

The combination of a healthy diet and exercise is the best way to increase metabolism. During the night, your body's metabolism slows down to conserve energy, and eating breakfast gets your metabolism revved up to begin the day. Eating small, frequent meals provides your body with a constant supply of energy and keeps your metabolism elevated. Physical exercise increases metabolism by burning fat and increasing lean muscle mass. Aerobic exercise also keeps metabolism elevated for four to eight hours after exercise has stopped.