I am so NOT about calories in/calories out. This is old-school, and calorie counting not only doesn’t take into account what you are eating, but it also never works in terms of creating a healthy metabolism.
One of the biggest culprits of a sluggish metabolism is hormone imbalance, but we are also beginning to understand that it also has a lot to do with your gut healthy too.
The best approach to boosting and healing your metabolism is to carefully choose foods that will re-balance metabolism-regulating hormones such as ghrelin, leptin, and the thyroid hormones. When these hormones are balanced, you will likely burn calories more efficiently, and store less calories as fat.
You can’t go wrong with the Mediterranean diet, but let’s get a little more specific:
- Include plain yogurt and a little goat cheese in your diet. These forms of dairy are high in branched-chain amino acids, which help the cells burn energy, and suppress appetite. Half a cup a day will do it.
- Egg whites are a good bet if you’re not vegan. There contain all the amino acids you need, and are perfect for breakfast, especially if you make an omelette loaded with veggies.
- Bean and lentils: I recommend half a cup a day of this healthy protein at lunch time. I love to make salads sprinkled with cooked green lentils, and/or bunches of delicious humus.
- Healthy Grains such as quinoa and brown rice will fill you up and deliver protein and vitamins. I include them in both my lunch and dinner.
- Eat as much fiber as you possibly can on a daily basis. Load your plate with leafy greens. I also recommend 2 tbsp of ground flax a day (pop it in your smoothie).
- Green teas is high in epigallacatechin gallate (EGGG), a compound that helps decrease the accumulation of body fat. It also increases insulin sensitivity, and may improve metabolic syndrome. I recommend 3-4 cups of organic loose leaf (if poss) green tea a day.
- Fish or Algae Oil Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids increase the speed at which calories are burned. Take a daily supplement daily, but do check with your doc first if you are on blood thinners or diabetic meds, since these oils can interfere.
