42 | August 2012 | woman this month Wellbeing Boost your metabolism If you don’t want to alter your lifestyle too much in your quest to lose weight, there are a number of things you can do to naturally speed up your metabolism without too much time or effort. Here are a couple of simple tips to help you burn those extra kilos. Eat grapefruit: Bursting with benefits, this tangy fruit will pump your body with vitamin C, folic acid and potassium to keep the heart and immune system healthy. Additionally, grapefruit has been proven to lower the body’s insulin levels which control how fast your body metabolises fat. Try half a grapefruit at breakfast to give your system the kick-start it needs for the day. Don’t skip breakfast: The saying ‘breakfast like a king,’ could not be more accurate where metabolism is concerned. When you wake, your body instantly needs to be fed as it is craving energy. If you miss breakfast, then your body quickly enters starvation mode which triggers your brain to rein in the metabolism in order to conserve energy. So, eat a hearty breakfast and give your body the strength it needs to get through the day whilst simultaneously metabolising the appropriate amount of fat. Drink green tea: It may smell a little off, but green tea can quickly become likeable. It’s also teeming with antioxidants and thermogenic properties, which in essence means it warms the body by stimulating your adrenal glands. The added heat burns more calories, which in turn speeds up your metabolic rate. The small amount of caffeine in each cup also helps to increase your heart rate, which again increases your metabolic rate (albeit temporarily). Increase your fibre and protein intake: Protein and fibre are a challenge for the body to digest, which means it has to utilise more energy to get the job done. This increased energy consumption equals a speedy metabolism; add to this the fact that protein helps to build lean muscle mass and you’re on track to a super metabolism booster. Ensure you include lots of turkey, chicken, fish and eggs (for protein), and fibre-rich foods like spinach, broccoli, oatmeal and nuts, in your diet. Up your B vitamins: These vitamins are a key supplement to be aware of as they lend a hand to a sluggish immune system. Studies have shown that a daily dose of B vitamins (including B12 and B6) boost the metabolism by lowering fatigue, aiding cellular renewal and improving digestion. Foods rich in such vitamins include eggs, fish, poultry and beans, all of which are quick and easy to cook and delicious, too!
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