7 tips to boost your metabolism for great results

We already know that our metabolism affects everything from our weight to our energy levels, but did you know you can take some simple steps to make it work even faster for you?

Besides just eating well there are loads of ways that you can boost your metabolism so that your body goes into fat burning mode, even when you are just sitting down, or sleeping.

It’s not just genetics that determines our metabolism (though they do play a role). Try making these changes to push your results into top gear.

 

7 tips to boost your metabolism for great results

1. Don’t skip meals and snacks

At the Healthy Mummy, we do not advocate skipping meals. We don’t even recommend skipping snacks! As part of the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge we recommend 3 main meals and 3 snacks per day, depending on your calorie needs.

You need to use food as fuel, and when you skip meals you send your body all the wrong signals.

Breakfast, especially, is super important as your metabolism has slowed right down while you sleep. Get things firing on all cylinders with a healthy start to the day.

2. Pop some protein in 

Ensuring there is protein in your meals is going to keep you fuller for longer, meaning you’ll be less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks to ‘fill the gap’ – think meat, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes such as chickpeas or lentils.

Why not try making a big batch of soup to enjoy as a healthy protein rich lunch throughout the week. Add meat, leafy greens, legumes or tofu to give the protein kick you need.

3. Keep snacks on hand

Between main meals, your metabolism slows down. Keep your blood sugar levels stable by ensuring you have healthy snacks to hand to eat for morning and afternoon tea.

Give the high fat and high sugar snacks a miss (these are usually the ones in the glass cabinet at a café!). These will make you feel sluggish and sometimes squeamish, as your body struggles to process the fat and sugar. Go for natural ‘real’ foods as much as you can.

If you’re breastfeeding, you need to take in around 500 extra calories per day to support your milk supply. An extra snack or some healthy dessert can be a great way to do this, or add some extra side dishes to your main meals.

4. Add these to your shopping list

Some foods are thought to help boost your metabolism, so why not go for recipes that include the following:

• Add baby spinach to your morning smoothie
• Cook with olive oil or use it for your dressings and marinades
• Add blueberries to yoghurt for a healthy snack
• Snack on almonds when you feel like something crunchy
• Enjoy oily fish such as salmon or tuna in your dinners or in a sandwich
• Boil a few eggs to use as a quick hunger blocker.

5. Go for the wholegrain option

You might be eating foods that help fill you up such as bread, rice or pasta – but are you choosing the wholegrain option?

White carbs are going to make your metabolism slow down and become sluggish, so always go for the grainy/wholemeal option.

You don’t have to cut carbohydrates out in order to lose weight, but choose quality carbs rather than the refined white ones when you can. Try using wholegrain options such as brown rice instead of white, or wholemeal pasta.

6. Water water everywhere

It’s easy to get into the habit of drinking juice, soft drink or sports drinks. But all that sugar wreaks havoc on your metabolism. The sugary drinks actually make you more dehydrated.

To properly quench your thirst, water is all you need. Keep your water bottle on hand at all times, or get into the habit of having a drink every time you’re near the sink.

7. Get a move on

Did you know that the more muscle you have, the harder your metabolism works? That’s why we encourage cardio and strength training as part of the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

You don’t need to join the gym to do exercise, you can involve the kids while you lift weights (cans of tomatoes work well) or do some planks in the loungeroom.

Or get into the habit of doing squats while you hang out the washing, or lunges while you wait for the kettle to boil.

Fit exercise in wherever you can, you don’t need to do it all at once. It all adds up over the day.