7 Metabolism-Boosting Snacks
Snacking often comes with a negative connotation, but done right, it can be a powerful tool to getting shape. Eating health, fiber-and-protein-filled snacks in between meals can help maintain your blood sugar levels and provide you with a steady amount of energy throughout your day.
The key is to make sure your snacks are properly portioned and filled with healthy ingredients — if you’re going to eat something, why not fill it with foods that can boost your metabolism at the same time?
If you need some ideas of what to nibble on throughout the day, try one of these seven metabolism-boosting snacks that are healthy, light and can help you slim down.
1. Tuna and Whole Grain Crackers
Fatty fish like tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids, and this type of healthy fat is responsible for lowering levels of leptin, the hormone responsible for regulating your feelings of fullness as well as the rate at which you burn fat.
Pairing tuna with a whole grain cracker helps to boost your calorie burn, as complex carbohydrates take longer to digest, which helps your body use more calories.
2. Spicy Hummus
Hummus alone is a good protein-filled, high-fiber snack, but add in some spice to rev up your metabolism. Spicy food can boost your metabolic rate because it contains capsaicin, a chemical that is responsible for not only creating heat, but for burning energy as well.
3. Avocado Toast
Combine whole grains with some healthy fat to create a snack that is both filling and good for your waistline. Although it might sound contradictory – since avocado contains fat — the heart-healthy food can actually help you burn belly fat, as monounsaturated fats work to fight inflammation and fill you up, which can also help prevent overeating later.
4. Coffee
If you’re looking to really kick your metabolism up a notch, consider drinking a cup of coffee. The caffeine in coffee has been shown to boost metabolic rate, but make sure not to add sugar or heavy cream, as these additions can actually slow your metabolism down.
5. Apples And Nut Butter
Eating an apple can help speed up your metabolism, but you can lose even more weight when combining it with a protein like almond butter or peanut butter. Apples are high in fiber and nuts in healthy fats.
6. Egg Salad
Eggs contain all the essential amino-acids that make up a balanced protein, and studies have found that a diet high in protein can boost your metabolism. Opt for options without mayo, and try to combine it with a healthy complex carbohydrate such as a wrap or a piece of whole grain bread.
7. Sweet Potato Chips
Instead of munching on regular processed potato chips, eat some sweet potato ones instead. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber as well as carotenoids, which makes them a good choice for a fast metabolism. You can make homemade sweet potato chips at home by thinly slicing your potato and baking them in the oven.