How to Increase Your Metabolism With Spicy Food

How to Increase Your Metabolism With Spicy Food
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Spicy foods can increase metabolism not only while you're eating them but for several hours after, according to the Weight Loss Resources UK website. This increase can reach up to 50 percent. Because spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining, they should be eaten in moderation by those with digestive issues.

Step 1

Add spices to all your meals. Rather than using lemon on your salad, add pepper. Use hot sauce on your potatoes instead of ketchup. Little things add up too, so this may be a good idea if you're not particularly fond of spicy food and need ways to add it to your meals in small amounts.

Step 2

Eat more Thai, Mexican and Indian foods. Indian food in particular allows you to choose among different levels of spiciness, from mild to extreme. Thai food tends to be rich in vegetables, an added benefit if you're trying to lose weight. When eating Mexican food, keep an eye on fat content, as some Mexican dishes are high in animal fats.

Step 3

Use spicy mustard or hot pepper sauce on sandwiches and wraps. Not only are both good to increase your metabolism, but they are also lower in fat and calories than mayonnaise and other spreads.

Step 4

Add jalapenos or hot peppers to your dishes. They work especially well when added to sauces, omelettes, soups and even salads. Because the effect of spices on the metabolism is temporary (just a few hours), it's better to add them to each meal, rather than have spicy food just once a day.

References

Article reviewed by MER Last updated on: Aug 24, 2010

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