Burn Calories with Good Food: 5 Foods to Boost Metabolism

Make sure there is a modest, healthy source of protein in every meal and most snacks. Not only does protein take a bit more energy—calories—to break down, but it also slows down the rate of blood sugar entering the blood stream, which helps to keep hunger and cravings at bay. Dr. Bazilian suggests trying an egg white omelet with veggies at breakfast, some grilled chicken on your salad at lunch, and peanut butter on an apple at snack time. “Wild or sustainably craft-farmed salmon for dinner gives you the protein and the heart- and brain- healthy omega-3s to keep metabolism up,” she says. Protein gives a boost to the whole meal and your metabolism.

Try these recipes:
Miso Salmon Salad
Seafood Kabobs
Miraval Omelet
Grilled Pacific Salmon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini, and Lemon Chive Beurre-Blanc
Bamboo Steamed Salmon
Tuna with Hoisin and Sesame Seeds

Avoid the refined and super-sugary carbs found in most commercial bakery products and many processed foods, and your metabolism—and overall health—will benefit. Refined sugar increases insulin more rapidly and may put a damper on your metabolic rate, Dr. Bazillian says. On the other hand, complex carbs like whole grains are, well, more complex and as a result, take more energy to metabolize into energy for you to run on. Stick to whole grains, fruits and veggies.

Try these whole grain recipes:
Spa Eastman’s Four-Spice Quinoa
Black Quinoa with Spring Vegetables & Feta
Mariel Hemingway’s Hot Cinnamon Quinoa Mush
Superfood Wrap
Quinoa Pilaf
Veggie Burger
Five Spice Rubbed Duck
Whole Grain Waffles

Green Tea and Water

Read more about hydration:
Eat Your Water: Debunking the “8 Glasses of Water” Myth
Staying H20 Healthy: Water 101

Spice it up! We all know that spicy foods make your taste buds dance, but did you know it can also boost your metabolism? Make sure you’re eating the right kind of spice though, namely of the capsicum annuum species (red pepper), which includes cayenne, paprika and red pepper flakes. “Capsaicin is the plant nutrient in red pepper that researchers have associated with revving up metabolism and helping us feel satisfied sooner when we include it in our meals,” Bazilian says. Some studies even suggest a role in fat burning. Research from Purdue University showed the metabolism-boosting potential of red pepper and when eaten earlier in the day, study participants also ended up consuming less total calories. More calories burned and fewer calories consumed? Can’t beat that.

Try these recipes that include the right kind of spice!
Grilled Corn with Jalapeno Cilantro Greek Yogurt Aioli
Pumpkin Seed Cheese (a raw recipe!)
Watermelon & Tomato Salad with Feta & Fresh Basil
Spicy Peppered Sweet Potatoes
Spa Eastman’s Four-Spice Quinoa

Tea, anyone? A new study published in Metabolism suggests that including ginger in your morning meal—for example, as a tea—can help boost metabolism and curb hunger. In a pilot study of overweight men, researchers at Columbia University found a morning ginger “tea” with 2 grams of dried ginger powder (equivalent to about 1 tsp) was linked to reduced hunger and a post-meal boost in metabolism of about 43 calories compared with the same breakfast and no ginger tea. “Forty-three calories may not seem like a lot,” Dr. Bazilian admits. “But it could add up to an estimated four to five pounds of extra calorie-burning over the course of a year!” Not too shabby for enjoying a delicious tea every morning!

Try these ginger recipes:
Ginger Tamarind Cooler Recipe
Chilled Ginger & Melon Soup Recipe with Mint Granita
Miso Salmon Salad
Udon Bowl with Sweet Chili Mushroom Broth & Asian Vegetables
Detox Juice
Teas to Cleanse, Relieve and Balance
Soba Noodle Salad

Your Wellness Tip To-Go:

After boosting your metabolism with these foods, try munching on foods that improve your focus. Check out this list of 5 foods for focus!