Tag Archives: metabolism

5 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism NOW

June 15, 2015 – Beth Shaw, President & Founder | Beth Shaw
 

It’s Summer time, and many people are trying to renew their fitness programs in a hurry. While its important to hit the gym, take up a new running program and make countless other fitness resolutions, there are things you can incorporate into your daily eating regimen that will help you knock off and keep off those extra pounds.

Certain foods slow us down and make us groggy and tired. Sugar, refined carbohydrates, wheat (if you are gluten intolerant) and alcohol all slow our metabolism. So along with your workout program, there are healthy alternative foods and drinks that will boost your metabolism naturally. Get it going NOW with these few, easy tips.

  1. Eat small frequent meals. Eating every three to four hours, and including a small protein snack, will keep the fires of your metabolism stoked and burning.  I like to have an apple and some almonds in between meals or a small bit of protein powder with a half a banana. A bit of a hard cheese and a few carrots are also great snacks.
  2. Take your meal portions to half. If you eat two or three meals a day consider putting less food on your plate than your normally would. In thirty days you can train your stomach to want less and be satisfied with less.
  3. Add hot peppers. Cayenne, jalapeños, and serrano fire up your metabolic system. They will also make your food a lot tastier and you will naturally eat less as a result of not overeating to seek taste and pleasure. Enhancing flavor is a great way for you to get the most out of your meal. If your portions are small you want to make sure that you are getting maximum flavor. A small tasty bite is a lot more enjoyable that mounds of food that lacks in taste and palate excitement.
  4. Drink more more green tea. shutterstock_115541830This hydrating tea is unique in that it has the amino acid Theanine to balance out the caffeine and enhanced mood. Theanine is relaxing and tranquilizing.  Drinking green tea throughout the day will keep you happy and energized.
  5. Add small doses of coffee, caffeine and maca – they all increase metabolism.  Be moderate. Overdoing certain stimulants like caffeine laden energy drinks and too much coffee will burn out your adrenal glands.

Mindful eating combined with additional portion control and a few changes in your diet will yield positive results. Make this your best summer yet!

5 Breakfast Smoothies that Rev up your Metabolism

 breakfastsmoothies

Smoothies are a fantastic way to fit more vitamins and nutrients into your daily diet. They make for a convenient (and filling) breakfast and are perfect snacks during the day. And by including the right ingredients like bananas, berries, and protein, you can even jumpstart your metabolism.

1. Mocha Smoothie

I love this smoothie because it tastes amazing, is low in calories and fat, and is a wonderful alternative if you love a Starbucks frappuccino! The coffee and protein powder really jumpstart the body. Plus it’s a great way to get your breakfast and coffee in one delicious serving.

choc smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup cold black coffee

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

2 Tbsp. cocoa powder

Pour the coffee into ice trays and place in the freezer overnight. In a blender, add the coffee ice cubes, protein powder, almond milk, and cocoa powder. Blend until smooth, adding more almond milk if necessary.

2. Breakfast Fruit Smoothie

This is packed with vitamins and antioxidants that nourish the body while kickstarting the metabolism. The blueberries in particular are rich in Vitamin B. B vitamins are said to be helpful in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

blueb

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 banana

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup blueberries

Blend together, and enjoy!

3. Ginger Citrus Smoothie

The ginger in this smoothie kicks it up a notch, while giving your body a nice boost of energy.

Ingredients:

1 medium banana

1 ½ cups diced pineapple

1 Tbsp. fresh ginger

1/2 cup Greek yogurt – any flavor will do

1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice – you can also use water if you want

Feel free to sub out the pineapple for another citrus fruit like orange or clementine. Blend together and serve.

4. Banana Cinnamon Smoothie

The inclusion of cinnamon not only makes the drink taste decadent, but cinnamon is actually very helpful in metabolizing glucose (sugar) in the body. Not to mention, also, that bananas are packed with B vitamins and magnesium, the latter of which assists in fueling energy for the body.

banana cin

Ingredients:

1 cup almond milk

1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

2 medium-sized bananas

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Ground nutmeg, for garnish

Blend the almond milk, yogurt, bananas, and cinnamon together. Sprinkle a little nutmeg on top.

5. Vanilla Berry Smoothie

Berries are high in fiber and water content, which makes you feel fuller faster. This smoothie can make a beautiful breakfast or a filling snack – blend it up before you leave for work and pop it in the fridge in the break room at work.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 cup frozen berries

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

1 tsp. flax oil

1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Blend all ingredients until smooth.