Snack on Peanut Butter to Give Your Metabolism a Lift

Want a great snack that can boost your metabolism, help you lose weight, eradicate hunger and keep you full until dinnertime? Try peanut butter.

Peanut Butter is high in the good fats and protein that will chase away those hunger pangs while working to burn extra calories and melt stomach fat by giving your metabolism a lift.

All peanut butters are not created equal. Some peanut butters contain extra oils and added sugars. Your best peanut butter bet is freshly ground butter from the natural food store. You can even grind your own peanut butter at home in your food processor. Not a peanut butter fan? Try making your own nut butters out of almonds or cashews for a delicious change of pace.

To get the most benefits from your snack, try dipping apple slices into a tablespoon or two of nut butter. This fiber-filled snack will keep you fill you up without filling you out.

A Snack That Helps You Lose Weight

Did you know that eating an apple does more than keep the doctor away? Turns out, it helps melt the pounds off, too!

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have found that people who eat an apple 15 minutes before their dinner eat far less than they normally would. In the study, researchers compared the eating habits of two groups of people at an all-you-can-eat- pasta bar. One group ate an apple prior to their meal and the other group dove right in to the pasta. Overall, the apple eaters ate 187 fewer calories than those who skipped the snack.

It makes sense. Beginning each meal with a filling low calorie starter can help you pass the high calorie foods by. Don’t like apples? Cut up veggie, a fruit salad or a cup of broth based soup will have the same effect.

Eat Chocolate to Lose Weight

Would you be surprised to hear that chocolate can help you lose weight?

Researchers at The University of Copenhagen have found that having a small piece of dark chocolate as a snack reduces cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods, and helps you eat less. In the study, participants were given either milk or dark chocolate as a snack and then offered unlimited pizza 2 hours later. Those who had eaten the dark chocolate ate an average of 15% fewer calories than those who had eaten milk chocolate. The participants also reported feeling far less hungry, and much less hungry for sweet, salty or fatty foods. So dark chocolate, in addition to being full of anti-oxidants, can help you lose weight by avoiding some common diet pitfalls.

But before you load up on the candy bars, remember that the darker the chocolate, the better the benefits. Look for minimally processed chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa.  Also, chocolate is a rich, calorie dense food, so enjoy an ounce or two at the most.

Drink Up to Lose Weight

Drink More Water

We’ve all heard that we should drink plenty of water. The benefits are well known. Water removes toxins from your system by flushing out all the bad stuff, it keeps our muscles hydrated and supple and improves skin tone and elasticity. But did you know that water helps your body burn calories?  Even at low levels of dehydration, your metabolism slows down and uses fewer calories. Studies have shown that people who drink eight or more glasses of water every day burn far more calories than those who drank four or less glasses per day.

Water also helps you lose weight by controlling your hunger and filling you up. Try drinking a glass of water or iced tea 10 minutes before every meal or snack. You’ll eat less and consume fewer calories, both which will help your weight loss efforts.

Drink To Your Health!

Foods that Boost Metabolism

Trying to drop a few pounds? Try these nutritious foods for a slimmer you.

Your body works hard to digest the food you eat and just knowing which foods to feed it can help it work a little bit harder, burning even more calories.

Your body digests carbohydrates easily and eating too many starchy foods can result in stored fat and tighter jeans. But when you eat protein and fat, your body has to work nearly 30% harder to digest them, resulting in more calories burned and a metabolism that’s running on high for the next 2-3 hours.

Your best bet is to indulge in foods that are high in both protein and fiber. This combination gives your body what it needs to perform well and keeps your metabolism high. Have a handful of nuts as a snack and try rice and beans or lentils for supper.

Also, when you eat matters. Try to consume most of your calories before 5:00 pm. Eating the majority of your calories while you are active and your metabolism is running at its peak will burn far more calories than food eaten right before bedtime, which is mostly stored as fat.

Cashews, anyone?

Boost Your Metabolism to Speed Weight Loss

Want to give your metabolism a boost? Have a snack.

Researchers at Georgia State University have found that eating three small snacks during the day keeps your metabolism running in high gear, maximizing your fat burning potential.

How does it work?

Waiting too long between meals actually slows your metabolism down as your body tries to conserve calories, so eating more often keeps your metabolism humming along at top speed. Snacking also helps you to eat less at each meal, resulting in fewer calories consumed and less body fat.

What kinds of snacks are best?

Look for high protein snacks like part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks and hard boiled eggs. Your body works 25% harder to digest protein than carbs or fat, which also helps to keep you lean. Spicy foods are good, too. Studies have shown that eating spicy foods can give your metabolism an extra boost of energy for at least 30 minutes. So go ahead, have a snack and don’t forget the hot sauce!