Eating To Speed Up Your Metabolism

Eating to Speed Up Your Metabolism

Apr 26, 2011 | By LisaMSRD

Medline Plus defines the metabolism as all the processes that occur in your body that use energy to function, such as the digestion of nutrients, the elimination of wastes, breathing, the regulation of body temperature, muscle contraction and brain function. Your metabolism may naturally slow with age, making it easier for your body to store fat; however, there are things you can do with your diet and activity level to speed up your metabolism.

Step 1

Avoid restrictive dieting. When you cut calories by too much, your body adapts to the lower calorie level, and your metabolism slows down. Dietitian Joy Bauer, MS, RD, explains that crash dieting or eating less than 1,000 calories per day slows your metabolism down to conserve energy.

Step 2

Eat breakfast every day. According to the Weight Control Information Network, people who skip breakfast and eat fewer times during the day tend to be heavier than those who eat breakfast and eat throughout the day. This may be because eating breakfast fires up your metabolism after you have been fasting all night and helps to keep your appetite under control.

Step 3

Eat small meals or snacks about every three to four hours and do not skip meals. With each meal you eat, your body fires up its metabolism in a process called the thermic effect of food. The thermic effect of food, according to sports dietitian, Judy A. Driskell, PhD, RD, is the increase in metabolism needed to digest, absorb and metabolize nutrients.

Step 4

Add protein to each meal and snack. Dietitian Joy Bauer, MS, RD, explains that protein has a greater thermic effect of food than carbohydrate or fat. Protein can also help you feel satisfied after a meal. Examples of high-protein foods are peanut butter, almond butter, nuts, lean meats, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, tofu and yogurt.

Step 5

Exercise regularly and stay active throughout the day. Avoid long periods of sitting. This will increase your metabolism. Your body will burn more calories, and you will lose more body fat. Find activities that you enjoy doing so you will more likely to stick with your exercise plan.