- The complex carbohydrates in oatmeal give you the energy you crave, and the fiber in each serving fills up your stomach to get you through the workday. In addition, all of that fiber keeps your insulin levels steady, which means your body won't think it has to store fat.
- By eating spicy snacks, you'll give your metabolism a hot boost without adding extra calories. Jalapenos and cayenne peppers contain capsaicin, which can increase your heart rate for up to three hours after you eat them. Faster heart rate means higher metabolism--and more calories burned.
- The health benefits of green tea are becoming more and more evident. One thing scientists have established is that green tea contains a natural chemical called EGCG, which speeds up the functioning of both your brain and your nervous system. In fact, some athletes use green tea before a workout because they say it makes them work harder and longer.
- Lean meats such as turkey, pork, lean beef and wild game require a considerable amount of energy to digest. Next time you have a hunger pang between meals, pop a lean piece of lunch meat in your mouth to keep you going. You'll burn more calories after you eat, and you'll have that burst of energy you need.
- For a fat-burning energy boost, crack open a can of tuna fish, or have some salmon or sardines. Cold-water fish contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. These super metabolism boosters are believed to determine how much fat you burn and how much fat you store. People with diets high in omega-3s seem to burn fat more readily and have higher metabolisms than their lower omega-3 counterparts.
- This vitamin C-packed fruit is more than just a fad diet. Researchers at the Scripps Institute found that grapefruit appears to reduce insulin levels, keeping you from storing fat. Test subjects who ate half a grapefruit with each meal lost, on average, 3.6 pounds in a 12-week period without changing their exercise or other eating habits.
- High-fiber fruits and vegetables like avocados, apples and pears provide a double punch to your belly bulge. The complex carbohydrates give you consistent energy levels, while the fiber fills you up. You won't have the ups and downs caused by caffeine and sugar, and you'll also kill cravings for hours. Avocados pack the added punch of containing high levels of monounsaturated fats, the "good" fat that lowers your "bad" cholesterol levels. Although avocados are not low-fat foods, the nutrition they offer can outweigh the calories. Substitute a little guacamole for a cookie next time to increase your heart health and decrease your waistline.
