Metabolism Boosting Foods

Smart Snacking: 

These Goods Will Keep Your Metabolism Burning All Day

1. Apples.  Apples are one of the "good carbs" and they are packed with fibre. Eating just two apples is enough to fill your fruit intake for the day, while not adding a lot of calories. Apples are also full of vitamin C.  Their natural sugar will also satisfy your sweet tooth. They make your stomach feel fuller, so you'll eat less during the day, without having to worry about working off a lot of calories.

2. Almonds.  Lots of nuts, when eaten in moderation, provide numerous health benefits. At the top of the list is almonds, especially raw almonds that have no salt. Technically, almonds are high in fat, but a handful a day are very good for you. The fats in almonds are monounsaturated, the same as in olive oil, and these fats help reduce heart disease. Studies have also shown that almonds, eaten in moderation, helps keep your weight down, which combined with an active exercise program, can keep you healthy for a long time.

3. Broccoli.  A good rule of thumb: The greener the vegetables, the better for your body. Broccoli is a great snack you can eat raw, or steamed. It lowers cholesterol, gets rid of toxins and is packed with vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin K. If you're busy, you're better off packing raw broccoli florets in a bag, and eating them on the go. Avoid dipping sauces, as they are often loaded with sugar and empty calories.

4. Greek Yogurt. Plain Greek yogurt has many benefits. It's probiotic, which means that it's filled with 'good' bacteria, also known as 'live cultures' that can help relieve digestive problems. Yogurt is also a high-protein, low fat food, perfect for maintaining a healthy diet. In addition, yogurt is low in calories, but be careful about the sugar content of some flavored yogurts. You're better off buying non-sweet yogurt and adding fresh berries to sweeten it up.

5. Tuna. Tuna is packed with vitamin B3, vitamin B12 and protein. It's a lean, delicious food that is also low in fat. Tuna is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that have huge antioxidant benefits. The best kind of tuna is albacore tuna, which is pure white tuna with no mixture of other tuna species. For snacking, you can eat tuna straight out of a can, mix with brown rice or sprinkle over a healthy salad.

6. Edamame Beans. Edamame is a fancy name for soybeans that are boiled. They are a delicious low-calorie snack that's full of protein and fiber. You'll also find vitamin C and vitamin A and iron. You can pack edamame in a bag to down them by the handful, but don't add too much salt, or you'll negate the health benefits.

7.  Cottage Cheese. It's high in protein, calcium (for bone strength), magnesium, potassium and zinc. Cottage cheese is also a low-carb food that helps regulate blood sugar, improves digestion and is rich in antioxidants. You can eat cottage cheese by itself as a snack, or add it to a salad or egg-white omelette.

8. Blueberries.  Blueberries are a superfood that you can enjoy anytime. They are one of the highest antioxidant-containing fruits in the world, and you can eat them raw, in smoothies or in yogurt. Studies have shown that eating blueberries after a workout can help your muscles recover much quicker because antioxidants help promote healing. Blueberries are also packed with vitamin K, vitamin C and fiber.

9.  Asparagus.  Asparagus is a negative calorie food item. It takes more energy to chew and consume the food than what's in the nutritional value of the item itself. This is great for boosting your metabolism and is also giving of rich nutrients and antioxidants. But remember, if you douse asparagus in butter, you negate the negative calories.

10.  Cheese.  Studies have shown cheese contains butyric acid. This compound is linked to reduced obesity, reduced hunger and higher metabolism. It is shown that consuming natural cheese with other foods stimulates the metabolism about 50% more than process cheese.  Be careful to keep portions low, though, as cheese is high in calories.  Try grating a little cheese over a salad.

11. Avacados. Much like almonds, avocado contains monounsaturated fats which plump cell membranes enabling them to to work better with fat-burning hormones. Avocados boost your metabolism by protecting the energy-producing parts of your cells from free radical damage. 

12. Spinach. By eating spinach, you protect yourself against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis and other diseases. Spinach has a delicate texture and jade green color that provides more nutrients than any other food. This is a great food to help get your metabolism to a speedy rate.