Top 5 Plant Foods to Boost Your Metabolism

What is Metabolism?

Metabolism converts the fuel in the food we eat into the energy needed to power everything we do. It is a series of chemical reactions that takes place in the body’s cells. It is a vital process for all life forms — not just humans. If metabolism stops, life also stops.

Metabolism begins with a process of photosynthesis. Plant food takes energy in from sunlight. The plant then uses this energy as a molecule to build sugars from water and carbon dioxide.

When people eat these foods they take in this energy, along with other vital cell building chemicals. The body then breaks down these molecules so that the energy can be released and used as fuel by the body. This is the stimulation or ‘boost’ in metabolism, the conversion of food into fuel by the body.

The digestive enzymes process converts:

- Proteins into amino acids
- Fats into fatty acids
- Carbohydrates into simple sugars

In addition to sugar, both amino acids and fatty acids can be used as energy sources by the body when needed. They are absorbed in the blood, which transports them to the cells. Once in the cells other enzymes act to speed up or regulate the chemical reactions involved with ‘metabolising’ these compounds.

The following foods can assist the body’s production of these ‘other’ enzymes;

Coconut Oil

Made up of medium chain fatty acids, coconut oil is unique in how it is converted by the liver directly into fuel. It is a pure energy source that does not store in the body as fat but rather becomes a source of energy that supports metabolism.

Coconut oil is the livers best friend as it aids the digestive and elimination process. Keeping the body detoxed allows for good metabolizing and energy (or kilojoule) burning.

Lemon

Although an acidic fruit, lemon is alkaline forming in the body. Drinking some lemon water before meals can lower blood sugar peaks by about 10%, making it less likely for your body to convert carbohydrates and sugars into fat.

Similar to coconut oil, lemon also helps to detox your liver, which helps your metabolism to run more efficiently. For a great weight loss tonic and metabolism booster drink a cup of warm water with lemon juice and coconut oil, first thing in the morning and before meals throughout the day.

Ginger

Beautiful ginger spice! Ginger is a stimulant and helps increase the speed of your metabolism by 5% and it also increases feelings of satisfaction so it helps you eat less and burn what you eat a lot faster.

Making ginger tea is so easy. Simply slice a few pieces of ginger up and place them in a cup with some boiling water. The beautiful aroma will release instantly. You can also add a spoon of coconut oil to the ginger tea to further enhance the benefits with a good dose of healthy fat!

Avocado

Getting enough healthy fats from foods like avocados can help stimulate the right hormones to ensure that your metabolism doesn’t shut down, even when you’re cutting back on calories. Not getting enough healthy fats will cause your hormone levels to suffer and create a risk for adrenal fatigue, which can cause all sorts of problems, including weight gain.

Healthy fats are also what keep you full and give you long-term energy, so always make sure you’re getting enough in your diet. Avocado is an energizing and warming food that helps to boost fat burn.

Green Tea

Green tea doesn't have much caffeine but does contain catechins, an antioxidant that raises resting metabolism by 4% (about 80 calories a day). In addition to these antioxidants, that help us burn energy, green tea stimulates the process through which you burn fat to produce energy called thermo genesis.

Once again to double the dose you can add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your favorite green tea blend and further enhance the benefits.