Boost Your Metabolism

By Cliff Walsh

Your metabolism is a key driver of your weight and ability to lose unwanted weight. Most overweight people think they just naturally have a slow metabolism. Some people actually do while others are operating below their peak rates and just don't know there are things they can do to kick start their metabolic rates. This article will provide many important steps you can take to get your metabolism working in high gear.

While genes and age impact everyone's metabolism, a substantial amount of our metabolic rate is under our own control. These action steps are the focus of this article, which are research based and all natural ways to boost your metabolism.

Lean protein is a huge piece of the puzzle when looking to boost metabolism. The body uses more calories to break down and use the energy from protein more than fat or carbohydrates, by a wide margin. This rate can be as high as 30% while carbohydrates are between 5% and 10% and fates are below 5%. I recommend eating one gram of protein per pound of body weight in order to really rev up your metabolic rate.

Proper hydration is also key in aiding digestion. With our bodies made up of nearly two-thirds water, it is not beyond reason to think that dehydration can inhibit most bodily functions, including metabolism. Research has shown that drinking more water burns more calories. I recommend one ounce per pound of body weight plus eight ounces per fifteen minutes of exercise. If you want a kicker, drink ice water. This is because of the thermo effect of food/drink. It takes extra calories to warm up cold water in your body.

Smaller, more frequent meals can also play a key role. I recommend six meals per day. Your body will burn more calories by kickstarting the digestion process more frequently throughout the day. It is also important to try to eat a serving of protein with every meal. Consistency is also key. Eating six meals one day and three the next can impact your metabolic rate. Skipping meals is dangerous for your metabolism. It is important to eat a high protein meal early in the morning to get your metabolism running again after a night of fasting.

Eat whole foods while avoiding refined/processed products to avoid chemicals, and the typical unhealthy trio of sugar, fat, and salt that often come with process foods. If you do eat processed foods, be sure to read food labels and ingredients lists to make sure it's somewhat healthy and to avoid dangerous additives like high fructose corn syrup, which can mess with your insulin response and cause you to eat more. Preservatives can also cause digestion issues, among other serious heath conditions.

In terms of exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for cardio is much better for metabolism than long, slow and low-intensity training. Implementing a program that cycles through frequent bursts of sprinting followed by moderate jogging or walking can give you a great metabolic workout in just twenty minutes. Weight lifting can also have a huge impact. Not only does more muscle on your body mean more calories burned, but each individual workout can boost your metabolism for up to two days, assuming you work out until failure while targeting no more than twelve reps per exercise, but preferably eight.

I also recommend getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you're tired, it's likely you'll skip workouts and crave unhealthy carbs. Proper sleep allows your body to function at its best.

There are other things you can add to your diet that can aid in boosting your metabolism. In addition to protein intake, unsaturated (healthy) fats help, as do spicy foods, green tea, and caffeine. Quick fixes rarely work.

About the Author:

Please see my website for more information at food labels or my blog at food additives to avoid

Balance Your Diet's Nutrition Using These Tips

By Kristy Walker

There are a lot of health-food nuts out there, always pushing their organic and microbiotic products on you. But is this food really nutritious? The truth is that nutrition is a wide-ranging issue, and you need to be informed about every type of food. Read this article for some great nutrition tips.

If you're almost full, don't eat anymore. This will stop your body from overeating, and let your body know it can begin the process of digesting. Eating until satisfied also helps you be the boss of your food, instead of the other way around.

Nutrition is a science with some objective elements. But there is also a subjective aspect to nutrition. While studying nutrition, you need to be mindful of your individual needs as well as rules that apply generally. For instance, a person with celiac disease needs to avoid certain grains, while these grains may be fine for other people.

Add more whole and cut up fruit to your diet. Fruit, not fruit juice, supplies your body with the fiber it needs to function properly and to ward off diseases like cancer. The fiber makes it filling also. Fruit is a great source of important nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid. Fruit can also satisfy cravings for sweets.

Eat oatmeal for breakfast. Foods that contain oats or a lot of grain can be very filling. Try eating foods like oatmeal for breakfast in the morning. This will make you fill fuller for a longer amount of time than a typical breakfast. You will be more likely to make it from breakfast to lunch without picking up a snack.

Try eating low-fat dairy products. Milk and cheese have very high fat levels, and instead of cutting them out of a healthy diet completely, try eating them in a more sensible, low-fat way. Try cheeses that are lower in fat, such as cottage cheese, and try purchasing 1% or 2% milk. This way you can still enjoy dairy foods and their benefits.

Find foods that contain inulin. It's found in leeks, garlic and artichokes. It can help you lose weight and avoid digestive issues. Garlic is great in that it gets rid of the toxins and free radicals in your body. If you don't want "garlic breath", blanch the garlic before you eat it or take a supplement.

Trying out healthy new recipes is a great way to keep your nutrition quest fun and interesting. You can learn to make your own protein bars with just a few simple ingredients such as protein powder, milk, and natural peanut butter. You can also make something like oatmeal pancakes, much more nutritious than traditional pancakes.

Make sure that your food choices really are healthy and nutritious. It's easy to assume that you are eating a healthy diet when you aren't. Many foods are advertised as being healthy choices, but are actually no better than the unhealthy alternatives. Be sure to do your research to find out which foods really are good for you.

Part of getting good nutrition is eating your fruits and vegetables. You should be eating around 5 servings every day. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, vitamins and beneficial antioxidants. Eating like this will fill you up fast, and they are low in calories, so if you are watching your weight, they are also the perfect food.

Believe it or not, salad is not always your best bet when it comes to dining out. Fast food restaurants and chain eateries often offer up side salads that reach into the thousand calorie range - and that's before you add dressing and croutons. If you are at a restaurant and the salad still looks like your best bet, ask your waiter to bring out the dressing on the side. This ensures that you will not be forced into consuming an unnecessarily generous amount of dressing. Better yet, opt for fat-free dressings.

Now that you know a little more about nutrition, you can see that it's not very difficult to stay properly nourished. There are many foods out there with great health benefits and many ways that you can stay as healthy as possible, just by simply making a few changes. Use these tips to help balance your nutrition.

About the Author:

If you would you like to learn more about making healthy lifestyle changes, why not check out Kristy's blog kristys101.tumblr.com, where you can find many more help and advice on making those crucial changes that make all the difference.