10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 4

Green Tea Increases Metabolism

Green tea contains a powerhouse of antioxidants. Its antioxidant values are shown to be higher than those measured in fruits and vegetables.

Green tea contains high doses of catechin, an antioxidant shown to help prevent cell damage in the body. Catechin is indicated to reduce inflammation in the body, which is said to contribute to disease and illness. This powerful antioxidant is shown to reduce high blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease.

Green tea has also been proven to help block the formation of plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease. Other health benefits include increased metabolism for weight loss.

Enjoying high tea just became sweeter—just remember to keep it green. 

Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 9 (end)

9. Pork

A diet rich in lean protein mixed with moderate exercise will have you on your way to building more muscle. Increased muscle mass allows your body to burn more calories, even while you’re sleeping or sedentary. Don’t be afraid to stray from chicken, there are lots of sources of lean protein and pork is a great go-to alternative.

Comment:  I like pork, especially a tenderloin which is lean and when seasoned well is simply delicious.  I just need to work on that exercise part that goes with it.

Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 8

8. Salmon

This fatty fish is full of omega 3s. Ingesting this type of fat helps regulate leptin, a natural hormone in your body that controls your metabolic rate and suppresses your appetite.

Comments:  Salmon is one of my favorite fish so I have no problem of increasing this in my diet.

Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 7

7. Green tea

While black tea, oolong and green tea all come from the same plant, green tea leaves are prepared differently. As a result, green tea is richer in antioxidants called catechins, which may trigger a boost in metabolism (and weight loss) by stimulating the body to burn calories.

Comment:  I haven't been a hot tea drinker since childhood.  Mother used to make it for me when I was sick so my mind seems to relate it to being ill.  Might try to give it another chance.

Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 5

5. Water

Yep, it’s that simple. Hydration plays a role in an efficient metabolism. Drink a large glass of water with lemon when you wake up and continue to drink throughout the day — at least eight cups. Not only will being properly hydrated help boost your metabolism slightly, but it will also help you not mistake hunger for thirst. Get chugging!

Comments:  I've always been a BIG sweet tea drinker.I drank it at every meal and all day long.  Some time back I started drinking more water and cutting down on the tea.  I now drink no tea with my meals and drink only water.  I also drink a several glasses throughout the day.  Had my physical a few weeks ago and my sugar, which was well over 100 is now 86!  So, if water does nothing else it can really lower your sugar.

Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 4

4. Celery

Celery is low in calories, requires a lot of noshing, and has so much fiber and water that it takes a lot of work to get it through the body. Because chewing stimulates the release of digestive enzymes, the act in itself raises your metabolic rate, or how fast and efficiently your body can absorb, store and eliminate. This is the beauty of the “thermal effect” of food; or the amount of calories burned from digesting and eliminating the things you eat.

Comment:  I've never been a very big celery fan but maybe I could become one.  Especially if it does all this.

Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 2

2. Nuts

The monounsaturated fats found in nuts can help burn belly fat and like all fat, they help keep you satiated. The trifecta of fiber, protein and fat helps to keep hunger at bay and your body energized. Need a fast breakfast? Greek yogurt with a handful of almonds and dash of cinnamon. No time to stop and snack? Pick up a green juice and couple it with cashews. Made too much for dinner? Use the leftover quinoa, add walnuts and avocado and call it a day.

Comment:  I love nuts and and yogurt so this one will work great for me.  Just make sure you don't have any nut allergies before trying this one.

Best metabolism boosting foods - Part 1

Like a lot of us, I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthier so I'm on the constant watch for tips that might help.  I found this series on Today.com and wanted to share.

1. Grapefruit

This is more than a breakfast food — it’s a weight-loss jumpstart! Besides being packed with vitamin C and fiber, this citrus fruit speeds weight loss.  One study found that people who ate half a grapefruit with each meal lost 3.6 pounds, while those who drank a serving of grapefruit juice three times a day lost 3.3 pounds. Many people in the study lost more than 10 pounds — without making any other dietary changes.

Comment:  I will be buying a bag of grapefruit as well as the juice.  Just remember to check with your doctor if you're taking cholesterol meds.  From what I remember reading somewhere, the 2 don't mix.

Ways to Boost Your Metabolism - Part 3 (end)

Water, water, water!!

You've heard it before, but drink those 8 8-ounce glasses of water every day. The energy burning process of metabolism needs water to work effectively.

Get enough B vitamins.

Among supplements, if you are suffering from flagging energy, you need to make sure that you are getting enough B vitamins. Vitamin B-12 in particular is one that is essential for energy. To ensure you're getting enough B vitamins, consider taking a B complex, plus a separate sublingual B-12. Another important vitamin for fatigue isVitamin B-1, also known as thiamine.

Try a supplement for fatigue.

Another type of supplement useful for fatigue is in the area of substances that the body naturally produces for energy production. Supplements in this category include:

Co-enzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, which supplies energy to muscles

NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) which helps cells convert food into energy
Green Tea

Ways to Boost Your Metabolism - Part 2

Minimize snacking.

Contrary to popular opinion, for thyroid patients, it may be better to eat three scheduled meals, and avoid snacks.

Get enough aerobic exercise.

As much as you can is really a help for your metabolism, and if you do it in the morning, you'll raise your metabolism all day.

Build muscle with weight training or resistance exercise.

At least two to three times a week, you should add weight training or progressive resistance exercise that builds muscle.

Muscle burns more calories than fat, and the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even at rest!

Ways to Boost Your Metabolism - Part 1

I found this info helpful, especially since I seem to be in a lull in my dieting.

Make sure you eat breakfast.

If you don't eat breakfast, you slow down your metabolism and send the body into "hoard mode," thinking it's starving because you're going a long period of time frequently 8 to 10 hours or more, without food.

Eat the majority of your food earlier in the day. 

Dinner should be your lightest meal, and some experts recommend you don't anything after 8 p.m., or any later than 3 to 4 hours before bedtime. This helps your body process and burn the food when you're aware and moving around and burning more calories per hour.

Don't starve. 

Dropping your calorie intake below 1,000 calories a day will signal to your body that you are in starvation mode, and will slow down your metabolism.