Foods to Speed Up Your Metabolism

As you age, your metabolism slows down, making it even harder to burn fat and lose weight. Rather than deny your body the food and nutrients it needs and craves, follow some of our tips below to help keep your metabolic rate healthy and strong.

First, don’t skip the most important meal of the day! According to numerous studies, breakfast eaters lose more weight than those who skip the meal. Choose foods high in fiber to avoid rapid spikes in your blood sugar.

Fill up on protein. Some experts suggest that 10 to 35 percent of your total daily calories should come from protein. Try adding lean sources to your diet like fish, chicken and low-fat dairy items, such as string cheese and yogurt.

Keep your metabolism working around the clock by eating six small meals throughout the day rather than three big ones. Carry healthy snacks like almonds and baby carrots when on-the-go.

Spice it up! A study from Laval University found that capsaicin, a compound found in jalapeño and cayenne peppers, can stimulate your body to release more stress hormones, speeding up your metabolism and increasing your ability to burn calories.

Milk does a body good. In fact, calcium found in dairy products tells your body to accelerate your metabolism and start burning excess fat. Research shows that women benefit most when consuming three servings of dairy and 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily.