Your metabolism isn’t static. It increases and decreases according to how much you move, what foods you eat, and other factors like environmental temperature.
Even thinking requires your metabolism to burn calories!
While it takes energy to digest any food you eat, some foods cause your metabolism to work harder to digest them than others.
Firing your metabolism up through your diet can help support healthy weight loss as well as ensure that you’re getting the most benefit from the foods that you eat.
Keep reading to learn about 4 thermic foods that will get your metabolism burning so that you can experience real health.
What Are Thermic Foods?
Thermic foods are complex foods that require your body to use more energy to break them down than they give to your body.
This is because the bonds that make up the molecules in these foods are more difficult to process than foods like simple carbohydrates and sugars.
Foods full of sugar and carbohydrates are easily broken down and absorbed into your bloodstream, which can contribute to blood sugar increases.
Why Are They Important?
Thermic foods are important because they help you stay full longer and can support normal blood sugar levels.
As your stomach takes its time to digest thermic foods, the food stays in your stomach longer, which keeps you fuller longer.
Because they take longer to digest, this also means that you’ll get a steady stream of energy as the food breaks down and is converted into energy.
This will help prevent blood sugar spikes that soon crash.
Thermic foods are usually unprocessed, which means they’re better for your body, and often have a high amount of healthy fiber.
Thermic foods are also beneficial to your gut health because they provide prebiotics that the beneficial bacteria feed on.
When you have more stable blood sugar levels, healthy amounts of fiber, and other important nutrients that thermic foods offer, your whole body will benefit.
Green Tea
Green tea is full of a compound called EGCG, which is a powerful antioxidant that also boosts your metabolism.
Green tea also has a small amount of caffeine in it.
While it’s nowhere near as much caffeine as coffee contains, it’s still enough caffeine to give your metabolism a boost.
This is a great alternative to coffee if you’re trying to lower the amount of caffeine you drink, but still want the antioxidants and metabolism-boosting effects that coffee provides.
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are not only full of protein and healthy fats, but they’re also full of fiber.
This all works together to keep you full longer.
Because they have healthy fats, nuts and seeds help support your healthy cholesterol levels.
Look for organic nuts and seeds like walnuts, pistachios, almonds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds.
Lean Organic Meat
Chicken, fish, and other lean meats that contain healthy fats not only give your body the protein it needs, but also force your body to work hard to break down and digest the meat.
Fatty fish sources are also a great source of omega-3s that are beneficial for healthy brain function.
By including organic meats that are lean with only healthy fats in your diet, you’ll be ensuring that your metabolism stays fired up long after you have a meal.
Cabbage
Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage are chock-full of fiber that plays a vital role in your gut health.
Cabbage is even better for you when it’s in a fermented form, such as sauerkraut.
This loads the cabbage up with beneficial bacteria that help populate your gut and boost your immune system.
Fermented cabbage is also a little easier to digest since the breakdown process has already started.
This can help those who have a more sensitive gut and are unable to digest cabbage raw but still want all the benefits.
Jumpstart Your Metabolism Today!
Eating thermic foods provides your body with fiber, protein, and other nutrients that take longer to digest, which will help keep you full longer and provide a steady stream of energy throughout the day.
Including these foods in your diet not only gets your metabolism going, but also helps support normal blood sugar as well as promote healthy weight loss.If you want more guidance on how you can improve your diet and your lifestyle, my free book will guide you through that process, making it simple and easy.
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