7 Great Foods That Speed Up Your Metabolism

Today we're going to be looking at some of the foods that speed up your metabolism enabling you to lose weight or maintain your current weight. Start this today and notice the difference as your body's metabolism improves for the better!

For those that may not know what your metabolism is, it is the amount of energy (or calories) that your body burns to maintain itself.

Food can be a very important factor when you are trying to speed up your metabolism. These simple additions to your diet have several benefits including: suppressing of your appetite, reducing any bloated feelings, detoxing your body and even improving your mood and energy levels.

Here are my 7 top foods that speed up your metabolism:

1. Water - First and foremost we all know your body is made from a fair amount of water - many suggest that the figure is around 70% but this does vary daily depending on your intake and can range from 55% all the way up to 78%. Many people are unable to distinguish the difference between feeling hungry and feeling thirsty so making sure you are drinking water frequently can suppress your appetite and according to studies speed up your metabolism by up to 30% by drinking as little as 2 glasses of water in quick succession.

2. Soup - Is a great food to have at lunch or even as an appetiser. The combination of liquid and solid takes to body longer to digest leaving you fuller for longer. Soup is also great as it comes in many different varieties meaning that it can be incredibly easy to find something which you enjoy eating. A word of caution however - it is better to stay away from canned soups and make the soup with your own fresh ingredients, although it can take more time it is definitely more satisfying and healthier!

3. Apples - A study conducted in America found that eating an apple before each meal caused the participants of the research to feel fuller earlier causing them to eat 15% fewer calories. This is due to the fibre content of apples they again can help to prevent hunger pangs. The natural sweetness in apple also can help prevent cravings for other sweet foods - great for anyone with a sweet tooth!

4. Chicken - Tasty, tasty chicken. Probably my favourite meat - it's great for your body, fairly cheap at your local supermarket and very easy to cook!

5. Chilli Peppers - These are great as they temporarily increase the heart rate by releasing natural stress hormones which help you to burn more calories. You might like to add these to part of a chicken recipe or of part of other meals to cover up some of the spice from the pepper.

6. Green Tea - This is a great way to boost your metabolism in the morning. There are also many beneficial side effects to drinking green tea including: reducing the risk of cancer, it also aids weight loss and the caffeine can help increase your heart rate giving you a small boost in your metabolism.

7. Eggs - For all those that have seen the Rocky films you can see the effect they can have just take a look at Stallone's great physique! On a more serious note eggs are a great source of protein which again helps you satisfy your hunger - some suggest that eggs can be one of the best foods to speed up your metabolism.

It is important to note that food is not the only thing that has an impact on your metabolism. When you eat your foods, your exercise levels and even your emotions can have an impact on your metabolism.