5 Foods to Boost Metabolism and Trigger Weight Loss

Have you been skipping breakfast, dinner and surviving only on fruits and raw vegetables, yet the needle on the weighing scale doesn’t budge. Your weight loss journey has reached a plateau and you don’t know what to do. Lovneet Batra, clinical nutritionist and author of 50 Desi Super Drinks, says your metabolism might be the culprit here. “When it comes to weight loss, metabolism is portrayed as a magic wand. If you have a good metabolism, you can lose weight faster compared to those who struggle with sluggish metabolism and as a result, find it difficult to lose weight. Metabolism, however, goes beyond mere weight loss. It is partly genetic and largely outside one’s control. Since no two people have the same metabolic rate, their weight loss journeys also tend to be different.” This is why one person may be able to lose weight faster than the other. But all is not lost if you aren’t blessed with a healthy metabolism.  “You can surely work on it and boost its performance by literally eating your way through it,” adds Lovneet and suggests the some foods that can help boost your metabolism.  

1.  Moringa Powder

The healthy concoction of vitamins, minerals, and fibers present in moringa help stimulate metabolism and as a result, the body burns calories faster. 

2.  Aloe Vera

Known for its fat-burning abilities, aloe vera is loaded with vitamin B that helps convert the fat stored in the body into energy as well as speed up metabolism. 

3.  Curcumin 

It is the main active ingredient present in turmeric, which can boost your metabolism for hours after you have finished a meal. Take it with a pinch of black pepper for better absorption.

4.  Cinnamon

Anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants, cinnamon is said to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar. It boosts metabolism because the body uses more energy to process the spice than it does from other foods.  

5. Home-made yoghurt

Natural source of whey protein and probiotics that help in revving up the metabolism and fixing our gut environment.

Upping Protein intake is always the best bet when it comes to boosting metabolism through meals. Protein in every snack and meal is required as it has the highest thermic effect of food on the body. It is the energy required for digestion absorption and disposal of ingested nutrients. "Have more of home made yoghurt, dals, eggs, amaranth, ragi, quinoa, paneer, peanuts, nuts to easily up your proteins on a daily basis," advises Lovneet. 

An effective tip: 

“One tip I would recommend is that you eat as normally as possible. Metabolism boosting is all about combining the right foods with the right time, and not , starving to achieve or kickstart a sluggish metabolism.  Eating foods that nourish your body will kickstart the process in a healthier and more sustainable manner.  Not eating or restricting yourself or going on juice fasts will not help. They will just make you weaker and emotionally vulnerable. These habits ruin your relationship with food and your body and you end up harming it more than really benefiting from it,” concludes Lovneet.