What does your metabolism actually do? Almost everything! It’s the collection of chemical processes in your body that keep you alive and functioning. That’s why it’s important to have a healthy metabolism. These processes break down nutrients from your food, converting them into the energy your body needs to grow, repair cells, and perform daily activities.
Your metabolism basically powers everything your body does, such as breathing, digesting your food, walking, exercising and thinking. As you can see it handles vital processes, and the food you eat plays a huge role in how efficiently it handles all its operations.
That’s where clean eating steps in. By fueling your body with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods, you can give your metabolism the boost it needs to work at its best, each and every single day.
Understanding Metabolism and Its Importance
Whether you’re active or at rest, your metabolism is what makes sure that your body has the energy it needs to function. When your metabolism is running as it should, you will feel great! You will feel more energized, you will be able to maintain a healthy weight, and support your overall health and well-being.
It’s when your metabolism starts to play up and slows down, that problems start. You might start feeling fatigued, start gaining weight, and the list of problems goes on.
However… What you eat can determine whether your metabolism slows down or maintains an optimal rate! That’s why it is important to focus on clean, whole foods. By making healthy choices, you are naturally supporting and boosting your metabolic health.
Foods That Boost Your Metabolism
You can add some or all of these foods to your diet, as they have a reputation for being metabolism boosters. They can give your metabolism a helpful nudge by supporting energy production and fat-burning processes.
Protein-rich foods, like chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes, are among the best options because they require more energy to digest, thanks to the thermic effect of food (TEF).
Including healthy fats, like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, is another smart choice as they help balance your hormones, which are crucial for metabolic health.
Spicy foods, such as chili peppers, contain a compound called capsaicin, which can slightly increase calorie burn and fat oxidation for a short time after eating.
Green tea and coffee are metabolism-friendly drinks because of their caffeine content and plant compounds like catechins in green tea, which may encourage the body to burn fat.
Adding high-fiber foods like oats, vegetables, and fruits can also be beneficial, as they promote satiety and keep your blood sugar stable, indirectly supporting a well-functioning metabolism.
Don’t forget water! Staying well-hydrated is key, as even mild dehydration can slow down metabolic processes.
Clean Eating and Your Long-Term Metabolic Health
One of the greatest things about clean eating is its long-term benefits. If you follow a clean eating diet, you’re not following a weight loss crash diet or a fad ‘temporary fix’ diet either. You are choosing healthy foods and making healthy eating and lifestyle habits, that support your metabolism for years to come.
If you nourish your body with the right foods, you’re helping to prevent metabolic-related issues like insulin resistance. You’re also repairing important parts of your body, such as your gut health, in ways you can’t even see!
Clean eating can even help counteract the natural metabolic slowdown that occurs as you age, by maintaining steady blood sugar levels and supporting your muscle growth. Clean eating also reduces inflammation, which is another unseen health problem, and oxidative stress. Both these factors can negatively impact your metabolic health over time.
Tips for Eating Clean and Supporting Your Metabolic Health
If you’re ready to give your metabolism a boost with clean eating, start by planning balanced meals that include lean proteins, complex carbs, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. Drinking enough water is also essential for your metabolic processes, as it helps your body burn calories more efficiently and improves your gut health and digestion.
Many people skip breakfast, but regardless of when you eat, make sure your first meal includes protein, healthy fats, and fiber, which can kickstart your metabolism. Throughout the day, you can eat clean snacks like nuts, seeds, or fruit, which can keep you fueled up between meals.
Do NOT resort to unclean, processed packaged options. Think of your metabolism and long-term health!
Think of your metabolism as the engine that runs your body, similar to the car you drive. If you put in the right fuel, your vehicle runs great. If you fill it with dirty fuel, what happens? It splutters and spurts and feels like it’s worn out and you need to get it fixed. You can do that to your own body’s engine.
Clean eating is the premium fuel it craves, so give it what it wants and needs! It’s the best craving to have of all.
