How To Tweak Your Diet For A Better Metabolism

We have all heard of the 80% nutrition – 20% fitness rule. This basically means you can NOT outrun a bad diet. But dieting can wreak havoc on our BMR. The key to eating full, hearty meals without gaining weight is to increase your metabolism.

Our Basal Metabolic Rate, or BMR, is the number of calories our body requires to keep itself running at rest. It plays an essential role in keeping our health and weight in check. Stress, sedentary lifestyles and the dieting culture have ruined our metabolism to a large extent. It is therefore very important that we actively work to keep our metabolism high for optimal health.

Hydrate

Hydration is everything. Even a 1% dip in hydration can impact your metabolism. This is the reason you should always stay hydrated, irrespective of whether the weather is hot or cold. During winters, most people feel approximately 40% less thirsty. This can lead to dehydration, which the body will try to regulate by decreasing your BMR. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be plain water. You can also consume green tea, lemonade, buttermilk, etc. to stay hydrated.

Keep The Protein Ratio High

Human bodies require a lot of thermic energy to digest proteins. This is why our BMR increases when we eat a high protein diet. Make protein a part of every meal you consume and include dairy, nuts, seeds, and alternate sources of protein in your diet.

Eat Healthy Fats

The key is to eat food combinations that will keep your insulin levels stable. Including healthy fats in our diet can be excellent for regulating our insulin levels. Include coconut oil, avocados, olive oil, seeds, and nuts in your diet.

Cook With Indian Spices

Most Indian spices can work like magic when it comes to increasing your BMR. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, cumin, etc are known to cause a spike in your metabolic rate. Spicy foods are also known to increase your BMR. If you are a fan of hot, spicy food, go ahead and indulge guilt-free. However, make sure you don’t go overboard with them or you may end up overheating your body.

Consume Essential Fatty Acids

It is essential to consume essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6. Include flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds in your diet.