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Your metabolism is one of the defining factors in determining how effectively you can lose weight, so giving it a boost will naturally allow you to reach your goals faster. Your metabolism works to burn through the energy that your food provides, so a faster metabolism will work through more calories in a day, making it easier to maintain a deficit and lose weight. While you may struggle with a slow metabolism now, there are tricks that you can incorporate into your lifestyle in order to give it a natural lift so you can feel great in your body and lose weight with ease. In order to reach your health goals, these are the top four dietitian approved hacks for enhancing your metabolism and losing stubborn weight in a safe and sustainable way.
Prioritize Protein
Protein is well known for being one of the most important macronutrients to include in your diet for weight loss. Not only does it feed your muscles so you can grow strong and lean out, but it also fuels your metabolism, making it more effective over time. According to Healthline, protein has a high thermic effect or TEF, meaning that it requires more energy from your body to burn through it. “Protein causes the largest rise in TEF. It increases your metabolic rate by 15–30%, compared to 5–10% for carbs and 0–3% for fats,” Healthline explains. Boosting your TEF will help your body to burn through extra calories which is essential for sustained weight loss over time and an overall heightened metabolism.
Keep The Coffee
Caffeine is highly regarded for giving your energy levels a boost, and studies have shown that the same can be said for its effects on your metabolism. Mayo Clinic has concluded that when consumed in moderation, coffee can be a useful tool for weight loss because it minimizes your appetite while enhancing your calorie burn. “Caffeine appears to increase energy use even when you're at rest. It stimulates thermogenesis — one way your body generates heat and energy from digesting food.” Essentially, coffee helps to burn calories, ultimately leading to healthy weight loss, in tandem with other healthy eating habits.
Fill Up On Fiber
Fiber helps your body to regulate digestion, and therefore will aid in enhancing calorie burn throughout the day which will ultimately enhance your metabolism. “The body cannot digest fiber, but it tries to,” explains Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD & creator of the popular F-Factor Diet to Fox News Lifestyle. “Trying to digest and eliminate fiber, the body actually expends more calories than it would with other foods. Therefore you expend more calories digesting high fiber foods than you do refined carbohydrates.” Fruits and vegetables are great sources of fiber, so eat your greens and rest assured you’re one step closer to a healthier you.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water is vital for ensuring the proper functioning of your body, but not only is hydration important for keeping you healthy, but it also can allow you to burn more calories at rest. According to Kendra Glassman M.S., R.D., C.N.S.C for Women’s Health, staying hydrated will allow for your organs to function more effectively, which will in turn improve your metabolism and spur healthy weight loss.
