How To Boost Your Metabolism ...
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| Thu, 07-29-2004 - 9:16am |
Our metabolism is something we talk about all the time, because we know our thyroid effects it but do we know what it means? They define our metabolism as "how our body converts food into energy, then burns that energy as calories." That's all it is. How well does our body convert our food into energy and burn it. All of the factors that I'll be posting combine to increase our metabolic rate - the rate at which we burn calories. So if you just make one of these changes, you're not going to see as good results as someone who can incorporate all or most of them.
To the steps!!!
1. EAT BALANCED MEALS: "There are no particular foods that can speed up your metabolism", says Pamela Peeke, a physician who specializes in nutrition and metabolism and the author of the book, Fight Fat After Forty. "Instead, you should look at which foods cause the body to work harder - in other words, cause it to burn more calories and metabolize them efficiently."
Make sure you get enough dairy products - three servings a day helps bring fat into the cells, which makes it easier to burn, says, Rachel Brandeis, a registered dietician based in Atlanta, and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Preserve your lean muscle mass with energy-dense carbohydrates, such as whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits that contain fiber, which helps regulate your metabolism and have less impact on insulin levels, says Brandeis.
The body needs a constant supply of nutrients to perform efficiently. For instance, calcium is involved in the breakdown of fat and low calcium intake may lead to a net weight gain. "Protein such as fish, poultry, lean meats, and low fat dairy products cause the body to work hard and will boost lean muscle mass", says Peeke. "Protein is also most satisfying and takes the longest to break down." Essential fats, found in olive oil, avocado and nuts are good fats that the body can't produce by itself and play an important role in maintaining body temperature.
Avoid processed foods, refined sugars and starches such as white bread, pasta and pastries. Instead, opt for whole foods, says Peeke. Instead of drnking orange juice or apple juice, eat raw food - an orange or apple itself - becaue the roughage from the whole fruit generates more energy during the metabolic process and burns more calories.
On Saturday, step 2: Start Your Day Right ....... that means breakfast!!
Cathy :)

Jada
Jada