Although weight loss plans vary a bit, they all have one thing in common: The main goal is to burn more calories than you consume. Once you create a calorie deficit, your body is forced to burn fat stores. This results in weight loss.
Naturally, there are many different ways to create a calorie deficit. Revving up your metabolism is one of them. You might have heard that some foods actually boost your metabolism a bit, but is this true? And if so, which foods have this effect?
First, the truth: While no food can increase your metabolism permanently, some do give you a little boost. Thermogenesis is the process of turning food into usable energy, and the process itself accounts for 5 to 15 percent of your overall daily calorie burn. The idea is to eat foods that require more energy to break down, and you can boost your calorie burn a bit.
Now for our second question: Which foods can do that?
Protein. Chicken, lean beef, eggs, and legumes are all good sources of protein.
Coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant, and can increase your calorie burn just slightly. Of course, caffeine can be dangerous in high doses, so don’t overdo it.
Green tea. Green tea has a similar effect to coffee, and might also increase fat oxidation.
Chili peppers. Around 150 milligrams of the capsaicin found in chili peppers can boost metabolism by about 50 calories per day (that’s five pounds per year).
Including these foods in your diet can help boost your daily calorie burn, but think of them as a small “bonus” effort. You still need to exercise regularly in order to drastically change your metabolism, protect your heart, and ward off other health problems. Give us a call if you’re struggling with metabolism or weight loss, and we will discuss a scientifically proven plan.
