Eating a protein-rich bowl of Greek yogurt for breakfast is one of the best ways to start your morning each day—especially while you’re trying to lose weight. Greek yogurt alone is packed with incredible, weight loss-friendly health benefits, but you can really take things to the next level by adding the right ingredients to the mix. In fact, there are a few yogurt toppings that may even be able to boost your metabolism in order to help you reach the body of your dreams—and you may not have ever considered some of the best choices.
To discover one of the best yogurt ingredients for a faster metabolism, we checked in with dietitian Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet. She told us that matcha powder is one great, lesser-known option. Read on to learn more about the benefits of this surprising yogurt topping.
Matcha powder
You may already know about the benefits of matcha. In general, tea is fantastic for your overall health; green tea offers up a ton of antioxidants that can help protect your body from the effects of free radicals to boost brain health, keep your heart in good shape, and more. As it turns out, sipping on matcha isn't the only way to reap these benefits; Richards recommends adding the powder to your yogurt.
"Matcha powder makes an excellent, and often under-utilized, metabolism-boosting yogurt topping," she says. "It is naturally rich in antioxidants and contains a small amount of caffeine. Matcha may have a mild thermogenic effect, slightly increasing metabolic rate." As she notes, "The combination of these compounds could lead to short-term energy expenditure elevation."
On top of this, Richards says, matcha powder can be a great addition to your yogurt if you're going to be completing a fat-blasting workout later in the day. "Matcha may enhance fat oxidation during exercise, possibly contributing to a modest metabolic boost," she explains.
Ultimately, of course, eating matcha powder on yogurt won't magically melt the fat off of your body. Working towards your weight loss goals means incorporating many healthy habits into your daily routine. However, your diet plays one of the biggest roles, and adding ingredients like this to the mix is always a good idea.
"While its impact is limited and should be seen as part of an overall balanced approach, matcha's potential to enhance metabolism makes it a flavorful and health-conscious addition to yogurt, aligning with dietary choices that promote well-being," Richards concludes.
READ MORE: These Are The 7 Healthiest Yogurt Toppings For Weight Loss
