BOOST YOUR METABOLISM

The secret to boosting your metabolism is FEEDING your body what it needs.

You must eat the right foods, in the right quantities, to get your metabolism working for you, rather than against you. The amount of water, fat, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, sodium, cholesterol, EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids), and vitamins & minerals you consume on a daily basis will either increase your metabolism or your waistline.

The tenth and FINAL food  in our TOP 10 FAVORITE FOODS TO BOOST YOUR METABOLISM is GARLIC!

BENEFITS OF GARLIC    

Photo by Mullica

 

 Garlic, which is sometimes referred to as the “stinking rose”, may have you reaching for a slice of gum, but that is not all garlic does for you!  There are some unbelievable metabolism boosting health benefits packed in those tiny cloves.

Although our breath may not love garlic, our hearts certainly do!  Garlic helps regulate our blood pressure, keeps our arteries free of plaque, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, and lowers our risk of heart attack.  When our heart is healthy, our body’s metabolism will function at a better rate.

A few research studies have found a relationship with daily garlic intake and the improvement in insulin sensitivity, which lowers your risk of diabetes and helps with weight loss.  Garlic also has antioxidant properties which help fight the bad free radicals that try to slow our metabolism as well.

Garlic should be a part of our diet everyday!  Here are great recipes to try!

For a health bonus, allow your cut garlic to sit for 5 minutes prior to cooking or mixing with ingredients.  The 5 minutes is worth the wait!

RECIPES

“Thinly sliced garlic is a simple way to jazz up plain old spinach. With just a touch of butter and a quick stir, you’ll have a vegetable side dish that tastes great and pairs with just about anything!”

Ingredients:

BOOST YOUR METABOLISM

The secret to boosting your metabolism is FEEDING your body what it needs.

You must eat the right foods, in the right quantities, to get your metabolism working for you, rather than against you. The amount of water, fat, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, sodium, cholesterol, EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids), and vitamins & minerals you consume on a daily basis will either increase your metabolism or your waistline.

The eighth one in our TOP 10 FAVORITE FOODS TO BOOST YOUR METABOLISM is YOGURT!

BENEFITS OF YOGURT

Photo by Ashles

Yogurt is one of the few animal products that makes the list of super foods to boost your metabolism. The creamy consistency, not only tastes delicious, but provides your body with some unbelievable benefits.  Yogurt contains probiotics – the good bacteria (naturally present in yogurt) that helps with the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and keeps your gut healthy. 

Fat burning bonus:  Researchers have found that increasing your intake of dairy improves your metabolism of fat, which helps trim your waist line. 

Yogurt is a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D, and it contains important micronutrients required for functioning of your heart, muscles (calorie burners), nerve functioning, blood clotting, and bone health.

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy the benefits of yogurt. Pineapple upside down cake, raspberry cheesecake, apple turnover, Boston cream pie, and red velvet cake are some of the fun flavored choices of Light Yoplait yogurt.  

That leads us to one more wonderful benefit of yogurt- it is low in calories. With only 60-110 calories per serving, yogurt is a great choice as a snack or dessert.  You can keep yogurt interesting by pairing vanilla yogurt with fresh fruits, especially berries or blend together for a smoothie.

Yogurt can also be a nice substitution to lower fat when baking.  Here are some tips from Taste of Home (http://www.tasteofhome.com/Healthy/Recipe-Makeovers/Baking-Techniques/Yogurt-for-Lower-Fat-Baking­)

• When a recipe calls for butter, replace half the butter with half as much yogurt. For instance, instead of 1 cup butter, use 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup yogurt.
• When a recipe calls for shortening or oil, replace half the oil with 3/4 the amount of yogurt. For example, instead of 1 cup oil, use 1/2 cup oil and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons yogurt.
• Substitute yogurt cup for cup for sour cream in recipes.
• Yogurt can even replace some of the water or milk in a recipe. Start by substituting 1/4 of the liquid with yogurt. The result will be creamier and more flavorful.

RECIPES

Ingredients

Directions

Ingredients

Directions

Ingredients

Directions

BOOST YOUR METABOLISM 

The secret to boosting your metabolism is FEEDING your body what it needs.  

You must eat the right foods, in the right quantities, to get your metabolism working for you, rather than against you. The amount of water, fat, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, sodium, cholesterol, EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids), and vitamins & minerals you consume on a daily basis will either increase your metabolism or your waistline.

The seventh one in our TOP 10 FAVORITE FOODS TO BOOST YOUR METABOLISM is TOMATO!

BENEFITS OF TOMATO

Photo by Maplessinseattle

The debate may go on whether the tasty tomato is a fruit or a vegetable, but one thing is for sure, the tomato is a super food for your body’s metabolism.  Tomatoes are naturally low in calories and high in fiber, both good for satisfying your appetite and maintaining a healthy weight. 

Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants that fight the bad free radicals that are unfortunately present during nutrient metabolism or from the environment (such as pollution and UV rays).  The good news is that a good intake of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables, including high amounts of tomatoes,  counteract these free radicals. 

The antioxidant most prevalent  in the tomato is lycopene, which is found in large quantities in the outer skin of the tomato, but also found inside too.  Research has found that intake of these antioxidants help protect your body’s cells from damage and decrease risk of heart disease and cancer, especially prostate cancer in men.

Caution: Watch the calories when adding tomato sauce to spaghetti.The calories  in a plate full of pasta can quickly add up. 

Other tomato-based foods that can be dangerous are jars of salsa, cans of diced tomatoes, tomato juice, and tomato soup – all are loaded with sodium.  Be sure to read the labels of these tomatoes for “no added salt” or “low sodium”. 

Incorporating tomatoes into your everyday routine is essential to optimize your metabolism and your health.  Here are a few ideas and recipes to try.

Add tomatoes to all of your meals!

• Add a slice on every sandwich and in your wrap
• Top your salad with baby tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or wedges
• Add chopped tomatoes to eggs and omelets
• Tomatoes are a nice addition to cottage cheese
• Add to pizzas, pastas, stir-fry, and kebabs 

 RECIPES

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/baked_parmesan_tomatoes.html

From EatingWell:  August/September 2006

A sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil transform tomatoes into the perfect side dish. Or try sandwiching them between slices of your favorite whole-wheat country bread.

4 servings | Active Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 tomatoes, halved horizontally
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
2. Place tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet. Top with Parmesan, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and bake until the tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving : 91 Calories; 6 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 4 g Mono; 4 mg Cholesterol; 6 g Carbohydrates; 3 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 375 mg Sodium; 363 mg Potassium

Caprese Salad

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/caprese_salad.html

From EatingWell:  July/August 2008

Summer-ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella need only a sprinkling of fresh herbs, salt and pepper to shine in this simple summer salad.

4 servings, about 1 1/4 cups each | Active Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 medium red tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 medium yellow tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 3/4 cup diced fresh mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Gently toss tomatoes, mozzarella, parsley, basil and salt together in a large bowl. Season with pepper.

Nutrition

Per serving : 88 Calories; 5 g Fat; 3 g Sat; 0 g Mono; 17 mg Cholesterol; 6 g Carbohydrates; 5 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 187 mg Sodium; 444 mg Potassium 

Halibut with tomato basil salsa

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dietitian’s tip: Halibut — in addition to cod, flounder and perch — is a lean fish, having less than 2.5 percent fat by weight. For a variation to this recipe, grill the halibut and spoon the tomato basil salsa over each fillet to serve.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 halibut fillets, each 4 ounces

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, combine the tomato, basil, oregano and garlic. Add the olive oil and mix well.

Arrange the halibut fillets in the baking pan. Spoon the tomato mixture over the fish. Place in the oven and bake until the fish is opaque throughout when tested with the tip of a knife, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer to individual plates and serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis

(per serving)

Avocado Bruschetta

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/avocado-bruschetta-10000001021247/

Photo by: Howard L. Puckett

• YIELD: Makes 3 dozen
• COURSE: Appetizers, Hors d’Oeuvres

Ingredients

• 2 avocados, cubed
• 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 36 French baguette slices
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Preparation

Combine first 10 ingredients in a bowl; toss gently to combine. Cover and chill 2 hours.

Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and salt. Place bread slices on a baking sheet, and brush evenly with olive oil mixture. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until toasted; cool.

Top each toast evenly with avocado mixture. Sprinkle with cilantro before serving.

Coastal Living JANUARY 2005

RECIPES 

BOOST YOUR METABOLISM 

The secret to boosting your metabolism is FEEDING your body what it needs.  

You must eat the right foods, in the right quantities, to get your metabolism working for you, rather than against you. The amount of water, fat, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, sodium, cholesterol, EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids), and vitamins & minerals you consume on a daily basis will either increase your metabolism or your waistline.

The second one in our TOP 10 FAVORITE FOODS TO BOOST YOUR METABOLISM is WATER! 

What if the secret to weight loss and increasing your metabolism is as simple as drinking water?

Yes it’s true; research from Virginia Tech by Dr. Brenda Davy found that being only 1% dehydrated will significantly decrease your metabolic rate.   On the other hand, staying hydrated will help you to eat less calories and lose weight.

Water also keeps your kidneys cleansed and your joints lubricated. It flushes toxins from your system and keeps your skin healthy and looking good.

WATER

To put it all in perspective, our bodies are 60% water. We lose approximately 9-10 cups of water daily (and even more if you exercise or are in hot weather), therefore it is essential for you to drink enough water to make up for what you lose to prevent slowing down your metabolism.  

An added bonus is that water is filling.  Dr. Davy’s research found that drinking 2 cups of water before meals helps reduce your calorie intake, which will result in weight loss.

 How  can water help optimize your metabolism?

1.       Drink the right amount

The American Dietetic Association recommends drinking 9 cups (8 oz each) of water per day for women and 13 cups of water per day for men.

Another rule of thumb is to take your weight in pounds, and divide it in half to calculate your water intake goal.  For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you require ~75 fluid ounces of water per day.

2.       Listen to your body

Pay attention to the warning signs of dehydration. 

When using the bathroom, check the color of your urine. The pale or clear color indicates good hydration, where as a darker yellow color indicates dehydration. 

Constipation may also be a result of dehydration. 

Lastly, thirst is a late indicator of dehydration, so be sure to drink before you are thirsty.

Tips to Maximize Your Water Intake

• Take a drink every time you pass a water fountain
• Keep a glass or bottle of water at your desk if you’re a “subconscious” sipper
• Instead of a coffee break, take a water break
• Drink sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon at social gatherings
• Drink water prior to each meal and throughout the day
• Plan ahead, drink water prior to the start of your outdoor activities. Bring plenty of water in a cooler
• If drinking alcohol, alternate each alcoholic beverage with a full glass of water
• Use sweat as a red flag warning!  When you sweat you lose even more water, therefore you need to drink more!
• Carry a water bottle with you as a reminder to drink
• Add lemon and/or cucumber slices to water for refreshment
• Eat a lot of water rich fruits and vegetables, most contain 80-90% water 

Fruits and vegetable with greater than 90% water content

 Cabbage, Cucumber, Tomato, Broccoli , Celery, Spinach , Lettuce, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Peppers, Watermelon, Strawberries, Grapefruit, Cantaloupe