Your metabolism, which is your body’s ability to convert the food you eat into energy, is often based on your genetic makeup. You’re predisposed to have ‘trouble areas’ that your parents or grandparents had. Your body shape, or ability to have slim legs (while you carry weight in your mid-section) is caused by your metabolism.
The good news is, the food you eat is essentially ‘information’ for your body, and for your metabolism. In other words, you can begin to rev up your metabolism and altogether change your body based on certain foods you bring to your diet. Read on to learn what they are.
Lemon Paired With Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a fantastic way to start any day, due to its high protein source. When you top it with berries (a great source of antioxidants) and a drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon juice (which has been shown to absorb the calcium and increase your metabolic rate), you’ll not only burn more energy but achieve a natural physical energy boost as well.
Green Tea (Especially Matcha!)
Matcha green tea contains a seriously effective metabolism ingredient known as polyphenol EGCG. Matcha is a healthy tea to choose from, because you’re using every part of the leaf. While other teas involve the leaves being traditionally steeped and then discarded, matcha’s leaves are ground to a powder which dissolves in water. For an extra metabolic boost, drink matcha green tea iced, which will force your body to burn even more calories than when you drink it hot.
Papaya
One of a papaya’s main ingredients is papain, which has been shown to improve your body’s protein absorption and overall digestion (and which has been shown to improve your metabolic rate.” Papayas are in best during the summer months, but you can enjoy it all year long (so you can comfortably wear your skinny jeans all year long!) by incorporating more of it in salads and dessert.
Serve up a baked salmon fillet with a bed of greens and topped with a cherry tomato, mint and papaya “salsa.” Papaya salad is a popular Thai staple, but you can recreate it at home by simply combining the following ingredients: cooked shrimp, fresh basil, cubed papaya, cucumber, greens, green onion, tomatoes and been sprouts. Choose a ginger dressing to eloquently top it off!
Ginger
Ginger is fantastic in smoothies, homemade biscotti, chicken or soup. However, it doesn’t just bring on flavor that pops!—but it gives your metabolism a serious boost, too. In fact, studies show that it can boost your metabolism by as much as 20 percent, and can improve your digestion as well. Try slicing it and cooking it with other vegetables as part of a killer stir-fry, or mince it up as part of a morning smoothie.
