4 Tasty Metabolism & Energy Boosting Foods

When it comes to boosting your metabolism and energy levels, there are a handful of foods that you should be eating on a daily basis that help you look and perform better along with giving you more energy and a speedier metabolism for faster weight loss.

The following foods are rich in energy boosting nutrients and contain antioxidants that help speed up workout recovery and fight off and prevent illness and disease.

If you are suffering from low energy levels and have a slow metabolism, start eating these foods on a daily basis to get the most benefit from them. You do not have to eat all of these foods every day, but eating most of them daily is the best way to go.

So without further ado, here are four outstanding and tasty foods to eat often for more energy and a higher metabolism.

1. Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are all awesome fruits that boost your metabolism and energy levels. You see, most fruits are high in natural sugars which can slow down and prevent fat loss.

However, unlike most fruits, berries are very low in natural sugar which makes them perfect to eat anytime. Berries are loaded with antioxidants, fiber and plant nutrients called phytonutrients, which help increase energy levels by improving your cellular health.

To get the most health benefits from berries, eat a fruit bowl consisting of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries several times a week. This combo packs a powerful antioxidant punch which strengthens your immune system and helps speed up your metabolism and increases your energy levels.

Mixing berries into low-fat or no-fat Greek yogurt makes for a tasty snack or breakfast. Always put fresh berries into your yogurt instead of buying yogurt that already has fruit in it.

Flavored yogurt or yogurt with fruit contains far too much adder sugar and too little fruit, which means you will not get the energy and health benefits that you get from eating fresh berries.

As berries absorb a lot of pesticides, I highly recommend that you spend an extra dollar or two and go with organic berries as they do not contain any harmful pesticides.

2. Walnuts

Walnuts are my go to food for boosting energy levels anytime of day. Walnuts are an excellent source of Vitamin E, fiber and ALA, an omega-3 fat essential for healthy hair, skin and nails. They are also very low in carbohydrates which means you can snack on them at any time of day.

Although Walnuts are high in fat, the fat is mostly from monounsaturated fat, which is a good fat that does not damage your arteries or cause inflammation, which is the leading cause of heart disease.

For best results, snack on a small handful of Walnuts in between meals, 60-90 minutes before bed, or anytime you need an energy boost. Walnuts make a good pair with fresh fruit and dried fruit, just be sure to limit your fruit intake as most foods are high in natural sugar which can interfere with weight loss.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes far superior to white potatoes when it comes to nutrients and fiber. Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse as they are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fiber and several other important nutrients.

Most people tend to prefer the taste of sweet potatoes to regular potatoes as they are sweet and can be eaten with many different foods for both lunch and dinner.

Eat sweet potatoes with lean meats and fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes, spinach and other raw veggies several times a week.

The complex carbohydrates in sweet potatoes give you sustained energy without the crash you would get from other foods high in carbohydrates, especially sugar.

4. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a true Superfood and has countless health benefits along with boosting your metabolism and energy levels so you can power through your workouts.

Coconut oil contains a high amount of unique fats called medium chain triglycerides. These fats are considered fat burning fats and can speed up the burning of body fat quite considerably.

Coconut oil can be used for cooking, as a sauce or dressing, and in smoothies and shakes. For a tasty and quick energy-boosting snack, I like to spread one tablespoon of coconut oil on a whole grain rice cake, then spread almond butter over it and top it with the raspberries or blueberries and sprinkle it with cinnamon.

This absolutely delicious snack contains healthy fats and antioxidants along with fiber and plant nutrients which increase energy during workouts and protect the immune system from exercise induced stress.

Coconut oil can be eaten and consumed in many different ways and with many different foods, don't be afraid to experiment and find the best way for you to eat coconut oil.

There you have it, incorporate the above four foods into your diet on a weekly basis and you will notice a nice increase in energy along with a higher metabolism, leading to better workouts and better results.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Benefits Of Sweet Potato For Burning Fat

Discover the incredible weight loss benefits of sweet potato, how to best prepare them and how much you should eat to get maximum benefit from sweet potato - one of nature's amazing fat burning foods.

This potato has a naturally sweet taste, and has an outer skin that is thin and comes in different colors, including orange, yellow, purple, and white. The flesh inside is orange.

They are available in various shapes and sizes, from a round, granite-like shape with tiny points on both ends to lengthy, curved shapes with ends that taper. Sweet Potatoes are always in season.

Fat Burning Benefits of Sweet Potato

These potatoes contain unparalleled health properties. One advantage is that its root storage proteins have been proven to possess strong antioxidant properties.

Actually, approximately 33% of the antioxidants in glutathione are found in these potatoes; glutathione is an antioxidant that is manufactured by the internal mechanisms of the body. This could account in part for the restorative powers of the sweet potato.

This root vegetable is likewise known for its capability of stabilizing blood sugar and lowering resistance to insulin. This is why it is a good food for diabetics. The carotenoids found in these potatoes help to regulate blood sugar levels.

They are high in Vitamin A as beta carotene. Additionally, they are high in Vitamin C and manganese, and also contain dietary fiber, potassium, iron, copper, and Vitamin B-6. Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and beta carotene are all extremely potent antioxidants that help to protect the body's cells and cell membranes from harmful free radicals. Nutrients like these, due to their protective qualities, are capable of helping in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer of the colon. Additionally, they have anti-inflammatory properties that help to eliminate inflammation in illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and osteoarthritis. If you either smoke or live with a person who smokes, the abundant amount of Vitamin A found in the potatoes can help to protect your lungs from the harmful effects of smoke or secondhand smoke.

Proper Preparation of the Sweet Potato

Pick the potatoes that feel firm, are weighty in comparison to their size, and do not contain any markings or soft areas. Do not purchase sweet potatoes that are visible in the store's refrigerated section, because the extremely cool temperature can make them lose their flavor and nutritional benefits.

These potatoes should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry location; this will help them to remain fresh for approximately for 10 days. Storage in plastic bags is inadvisable. They need to receive sufficient ventilation. They do tend to develop sprouts if they receive too much sunlight or are subject to extremely warm temperatures.

When you choose organically grown these potatoes, eat the entire thing if you want. If not organic, remove the skin, which can have dye or wax on it, once the potato is cooked.

Bear in mind that the fleshy part of the potato oxidizes after cutting it open, so you should get into the habit of putting them in a container filled with cold water until it is time to cook them.

As far as serving ideas are concerned, you can always serve an old-fashioned, plain, baked sweet potato, which is a delightful taste treat. It also makes a perfect snack or picnic food served cold.

You can find a great deal of recipes for this type of potato, including potato pies, breads, puddings, muffins, and various other desserts. You definitely will be able to find one to suit your fat-burning taste buds.

Additionally, cut up, steamed sweet potatoes taste great when they are added to cooked tofu and broccoli. A light vinaigrette dressing is also a delicious addition.

They can also be pureed or mashed, plus you can sprinkle on some chopped chives for a pretty appearance and good taste.

Proper Amount to Eat

The portion size for one person is one medium-sized sweet potato, which is approximately 2 inches in diameter and 5 inches in length.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com