5 Metabolism Boosting Foods

If there is one secret to dieting that holds true every time, it is that there is no secret. There's no shortcuts or tricks guaranteed to shed pounds faster than you'd ever imagine. A reasonable diet and regular exercise schedule are the only proven ways to lose weight. There are, however, some things you can eat that will boost your metabolism and help your body burn off fat cells.

Metabolism, by definition, is the rate at which your body uses energy to perform tasks. As you get older, your body gets more efficient. This explains the phenomenon of lower metabolism according to age. But these five foods can help boost the rate at which you use energy, and therefore burn up some of that fat.

1. Water. It's well known that many of the key processes in the body require water to perform correctly. Metabolism is certainly no exception. Drink eight glasses a day to kick it out of its lethargic state.

2. Spicy foods, especially peppers. The kick you get on your palate matches the kick these foods will give your metabolism. If you're not a particularly big fan of spicy foods, try dilluting them. For example, when you cook an Italian dish such as spaghetti, add in a few chili pepper flakes to the recipe. It's a little easier on the tongue, and your belly will thank you.

3. Citrus fruits. The natural, unrefined sugars both boost energy and help make you fuller. Your body judges fullness at least partly by blood sugar levels. In effect, eating fruit will help you eat fewer calories.

4. Lean proteins. This includes foods such as chicken, tuna, salmon, and turkey. The low fat content is great, as you could probably guess. Additionally, the high protein content is an added plus. Protein requires a significant amount of effort for the body to break down and digest. Not to mention that it helps build lean muscle.

5. Green tea. Since the discovery of its super-food qualities, green tea is now available in many different flavors and has been highly marketed. Be sure to pick some up at your next trip to the store, be sure to pick some up. It's packed with cancer-preventing antioxidants, and studies continue to support that it helps boost metabolism.

Losing weight is never easy. All "secret" methods aside, picking up at least a few of these next time you are out shopping may assist in shedding some pounds. And, more importantly, it may give you that initiative to eat right and get active.