There are several foods and types of foods that speed up metabolism that can help you burn fat and lose weight.  Though it’s probably hard to believe that you can lose weight by actually eating, instead of starving, it’s true.  You’re probably already eating at least some of these foods, at least once in a while.  So simply add them to your diet a little more often and reap the benefits of these superfoods.

If you like spicy food you may already be eating peppers.  Cayenne peppers, habaneros, jalapenos– these are hot and spicy foods that speed up metabolism.  They don’t just taste hot, they make your internal furnace run hotter, too.  And the really good news is that they keep boosting your metabolism for up to 3 hours after you’ve eaten them.  That’s a long-lasting fat-burn, so if you like spicy foods at all, take advantage of them often. Though watch what else is in the spicy dish, like too many simple carbohydrates and too much fat.

Fish like salmon, sardines and tuna are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which is good for your heart in addition to helping speed up your metabolism. These fish lower the level of leptin, a hormone, in your system.  Studies have shown that lower levels of leptin make it easier to lose weight and keep it off. Fish are also a great source of lean protein, and protein is an important part of many of the foods that speed up metabolism.

Foods rich in protein like eggs, lean meat, legumes (beans) and even often-criticized peanut butter will boost your metabolism. Peanut butter is rich in protein and monounsaturated fats, making it a healthy food if eaten in moderation. Choose natural or organic peanut butter to eliminate any hydrogenated oils and sugar, to make it one of the healthiest foods imaginable.  Any natural nut butters, like almond butter, offer the same protein boost, with almond butter offering you antioxidants, cholesterol-lowering substances, and monounsaturated fats, among other things. Don’t give up nuts because they’re high in fat, they can be part of your weight loss plan in moderation.

Whole grains like oatmeal are vitally important foods that speed up metabolism. Low-carb diets miss out on these important foods, which provide needed glucose and energy for the brain to function properly.  The reason whole grains boost metabolism while simple sugars and starches slow it is because of the insulin released.  Whole grains digest slowly and put little insulin into the blood. This keeps things humming along smoothly. Sugars make the blood sugar spike which triggers a heavy release of insulin, which immediately tries to store everything as fat.  When it’s pulled the sugar from your blood, you’re hungry again and you crave more sugar.  It’s a vicious circle that wreaks havoc on your metabolism.

Fruits and vegetables, particularly berries and dark green, leafy veggies, are also excellent sources of vitamins and antioxidants, and they’re all foods that speed up metabolism.

Though it sounds almost too good to believe, there really are foods that speed up a slow metabolism that are readily available in every grocery store. You may already be eating some of them without even knowing it. The more foods that speed up a slow metabolism that you eat, the hotter your internal fat-melting furnace burns, and the easier it is to lose weight and keep it off. By incorporating these superfoods into your diet, you’ll make it easier to achieve your weight loss and fitness goals.

Salmon, sardines and tuna are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which will lower the level of a hormone called leptin in your body. Studies show that it’s easier to lose and keep off weight when your leptin levels are lower, rather than higher. There are other benefits to eating fish, as well, like the cancer-fighting and healthy-heart properties of Omega 3.

Foods rich in protein like eggs, lean meats, beans and even peanut butter will boost your metabolism. Protein is a necessary building block for our bodies and it’s vitality important in keeping a metabolism going. Of these foods that speed up a slow metabolism, peanut butter gets unfairly criticized as a bad food choice. But with any food, moderation is key. You can enjoy peanut butter in moderation and still lose weight steadily, or avoid gaining any lost weight back. Peanut butter can be a healthy addition to your diet, with its good fats and metabolism-boosting protein.

Other foods that speed up a slow metabolism include foods containing hot peppers like jalape?o, cayenne or habanero. Spicy foods make your body run hotter for up to 3 hours. They’re thermogenic, in that just the act of digesting them speeds your metabolism.

Whole grains like oatmeal boost metabolism by being slow to digest. This gives you the feeling of being full longer, and serves to keep blood sugar levels on an even keel. This keeps minimal amounts of insulin in your bloodstream, and keeps your body from going into fat-storing overdrive. High levels of insulin are linked to metabolic syndrome symptoms like obesity, belly fat, and high blood pressure among others. So whole grains should be a vital part of your diet for many reasons, not just because they’re one of the top foods that speed up a slow metabolism

Olive oil is one of the foods that speed up a slow metabolism thanks to its load of Omega-3 acids. It’s a great source of good monounsaturated fat, the kind of good fat your body has to have, too.

Don’t forget that exercise boosts your metabolism in a more permanent way, by increasing active muscle tissue throughout your body. And eating in itself keeps your metabolism stoked. Never skip meals, especially not breakfast, that’s like refusing to put logs on a fire but expecting it to keep burning anyway. And add these foods that speed up a slow metabolism to your diet to bring you closer to your goals.

Are you looking for foods that speed metabolism? This will probably surprise you. All foods speed metabolism.

“How is that possible?” you ask.

Let’s take a quick look at just what is metabolism and how does it works. This explanation might help you to better understand the process and how it can affect your body.

When you eat a meal, your body begins the process of digesting the food, drawing out the nutrients and processing them to create energy that keeps your body functioning properly and effectively. It takes approximately 4 hours just to absorb the nutrients. This is repeated with every meal you eat. In a day, that amounts to 12 hours that your body is busy absorbing each meal’s nutrients.

In short, during the digestion process, our bodies burn calories. This is especially true of foods containing carbohydrates and protein which take longer than other foods to digest. Simply by eating, digesting and absorbing nutrients from the food, you speed your metabolism.

Does this mean you should eat more to constantly stimulate calorie burning?

Here’s another answer that might surprise you. Yes. But hold on before you park yourself in front of the refrigerator, bib in place, knife and fork at the ready.

If you skip breakfast and other meals, you will reduce how quickly your body burns calories. In this case, eating more food will help speed metabolism. In fact, by eating smaller meals more often throughout the day, you can keep your metabolism working so that your body is constantly in the state of calorie burning.

As mentioned, there are some foods that require more of your body’s energy to burn. The degree to which they affect your body’s metabolism depends on the particular food choice. Caffeine, coffee, tea, chocolate and a chemical found in chillies are some foods that speed metabolism, but only minimally.

Carbohydrates and protein trigger the highest rate of metabolism. In fact, a protein meal can burn as much as 25% of that meal’s calories through digestion and absorption.

While a high protein meal might sound appealing, consider that it would not provide your body with its required round of nutrients. Adding vitamin and mineral supplements is not the answer either, because they do not provide the same quality of nutrients that are found naturally in foods.

Your best choice is to eat well-balanced meals regularly that contain protein, non-starchy vegetables, fats and carbohydrates. This can minimize fat production while keeping your blood sugar at a level that helps to burn fat and build muscle.

Focus on these 10 specific foods that help speed metabolism and burn fat.

Whole grain bread
Chicken
Salmon
Eggs
Fresh Cheese
Green Beans
Summer Squash
Cabbage
Asparagus and other non-starchy vegetables
And, of course, protein rich meats

To temporarily boost your metabolism by as much as 30%, drink cold water.

Remember, there are other factors beyond your control that can affect your body’s speed of metabolism, including your age, sex and any medical conditions.

While these foods can speed metabolism, the best way to lose weight is with a healthy combination of regular meals and physical exercise, especially those that build muscle because  muscle burns calories too.

Exercise regularly, stick with a diet of protein, non-starchy vegetables, fats and carbohydrates, and be sure to add some of those foods that speed metabolism, and you’ll soon see the results you want.