Metabolism can be a tricky thing to master. It is a product of genes, lifestyle, hormonal balance and more. Eating a certain food won’t send your metabolism soaring if you aren’t doing the other necessary steps to maximize it, but there are foods that help boost your metabolism to give you an extra calorie-burning edge.
Check ‘em out!
Salmon
It’s no secret that salmon is full of omega three fatty acids. One of the many benefits to these healthy fats is that they keep your thyroid working properly and your hormones in balance. Fatty acids also lower your leptin levels, which makes your body to burn calories rather than store them as fat.
Green Tea and Coffee
The caffeine in both of these beverages stimulates your nervous system, causing an increase in heart rate and a boost in metabolism of up to 16%! An extra benefit comes from a chemical in green tea called EGCG, which boosts your oxygen intake further, resulting in a temporary increased metabolic rate.
Lean Protein
Your body has to work harder to break down protein than carbohydrates or fat. Therefore you burn more calories when you eat protein. Simple.
Jalapeno, Habanero & Cayenne Peppers
Capsaicin, the ‘hot’ ingredient in these peppers, speeds up your heart rate, and thus increases your metabolism temporarily by up to 25% for up to 3 hours after consumption.
Ice Water
Research shows that 10 minutes after drinking a pint of water, your metabolism is boosted by as much as 30%. Drinking water that is cold even burns a few more, since your body uses its energy to warm it up. Plus, if you’re properly hydrated, you won’t mistake thirst for hunger… which actually happens quite often!
Which of these are you best at having regularly?
Definitely water for me! I start off with a big glass in the morning and keep it going all day long 
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I like my coffee and protein. The water I also have right throughout the day.
I’ve been sick recently so I have been drinking tea galore!!! This is a neat list…I had no idea about the peppers! Unfortunately even that won’t turn me into a spicy lover
I drink a ton of tea during the work day. My office is often pretty cold and it warms me up.
COFFEE!!!!
I’m with you, LOTS of water all day long!!! I also try to fit in lots of lean protein during the day otherwise I’m starving.
It’s 9:00 am and I’m on my third 16 oz bottle of ice water already
I also love caffeine and spicy foods. But I won’t be having caffeine again until after baby comes!
I am obsessed with ice water! and fresh jalapenos!!
A day doesn’t go by that I don’t have coffee, ice water, or something spicy!
Great post! I *love* green tea, especially iced. I’ve also been very much into Starbuck’s Chai Tea Latte w/ soy and a shot of espresso as the weather cools.
I like all these things – except the salmon. I just can’t get myself to like it even though I do eat it from time to time.
Happy Friday!
I drink water all day, but it’s usually room-temp. Maybe I’ll have to switch to ice cold, especially since my metabolism is out is whack due to hypothyroidism! I put cayenne pepper in almost everything (even my oatmeal!) and love love love salmon!
Thanks for the list. Have a great day!
Loved the post!
No matter how many times I try salmon, I can’t get myself to believe it tastes good….
I am trying to add flax seed into my diet now as a source of Omega 3… Right now, I got as far as adding it to my oatmeal.
I eat salmon like crazy, but I had no idea that it was doing my metabolism favors. Woo hoo!
coffee x 2435920.
honestly, I WISH I liked water. does it count if it’s water plus crystal light/MiO?
I try so hard to be good with the water consumption, but my bottle only holds ~25oz. I think I’ll get a second one to take to work, since I hate drinking bottled water – but even that would be better than nothing.
Great list, I didn’t know that about the salmon. I need some new way to cook it, sometimes I find the texture kind of like chicken and since it tastes different that throws me off a bit. I LOVE anything spicy, so I’m glad to hear it is good for my metabolism. I’m still enjoying the last of the jalapenos from my mom’s garden, and now I want to go to TJ’s just for that hummus (lie. I can’t just buy one thing there!)
I need to get more spices in my diet. I love the flavor, but am a total wuss when it comes to heat. I’m super good about getting everything else in my daily meals!
I LOVE this post! And I also love that all of these things are items I consume on a daily basis! Especially COFFEE. lots and lots and lots of it
For me I would say good ole H2O and lean protein!
I’m a rockstar at water
haha I have a big plastic cup I keep near me all day long while I’m at my desk. It’s 30 ounces and I drink at least 3-4 of them a day.
As if I needed another reason to be madly in love with jalepenos! YUM!!!
Water is easiest for me, too!
I sip water all day long, so that’s definitely the easiest for me, too.
I’ve honestly never tried salmon but have wanted to for a long time now. I just have no idea how to cook it and since I don’t know if I like it or not I’m scared to order it at a restaurant!
Great tips!!! I love ice water, green tea and lean proteins. I guess I’m on the right track
Aside from water, I don’t think I have any of those regularly. Caffeine is no good for me, so I’ll stick to H2O for now
Aside from salmon, which I wish I could afford to eat more of throughout the week, I pretty much try to get in everything you listed. I do take fish pills, though, to help out with the lack of salmon. And how good is that cilantro and jalapeno hummus for Trader Joes?? I love that stuff!
Hi Brittany! Great post. I’d say I’m a pro at mastering my metabolism with coffee
I drink lots of coffee and water. I’ll be adding some of the others too. Thanks Brittany! Have a great weekend.
Oh I agree water is what I do best but I sure do like salmon also!!
Definitely water! I eat a fair amount of spicy food too. It’s nice to know it’s doing something good for me.
Brittany! I haven’t stopped by for awhile and want to wish you a very belated congratulations!! Hailey is so precious, and quite the beautiful little lady. You must be so proud!
I’m an avid coffee drinker (addict, really), and also regularly consume salmon and lean protein.