It all comes down to metabolism. 

You can eat as little as possible and still gain weight, if you have a bad metabolism. Without metabolism, which is actually the chemical reactions that go on inside your body, you won’t be able to burn calories. The result? No positive changes in your weight whatsoever no matter how much you try! 

The higher your metabolism or metabolic rate, the more calories you can burn with a little effort, and the easier it is to lose weight. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with a good metabolism, but it is possible to boost yours. 

Here are some extremely effective ways to boost your metabolism, but naturally. 

  • Include Plenty of Proteins in your Diet 

Proteins are the best food that you can eat for weight loss. A little amount fills you up for a long time so that you won’t feel hungry too soon, and it increases your metabolism. Lean meat, fish, dairy, legumes, eggs, seeds and nuts are all food rich in protein and they all boost your metabolism for a few hours after eating. 

Including plenty of protein-rich food with your every meal instead of carbohydrates can keep your metabolism boosted all day long. So, you should try and include as many protein-rich foods in your meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner so that your metabolism stays high all day. 

  • Be sure to also include Food rich in Zinc and Iron 

Seafood, fish, nuts, legumes and seeds contain a lot of zinc and iron, as well as protein. Iron and zinc are good for your thyroid gland, and they help this gland function properly. A healthy thyroid regulates your metabolism, and you lose calories faster. 

On the other hand, if your daily diet doesn’t contain a healthy dose of iron, zinc and in some cases, selenium, your thyroid gland suffers. The gland can’t produce a sufficient amount of hormones, and your metabolism suffer. 

  • Drink Plenty of Green Tea and Oolong Tea

Both Oolong tea and Green tea are good for your metabolism. Both these teas are low in calories and can burn fat. Fats stored in your body are burned down into fatty acids, which gives you more energy and boost your metabolism. Most diets and even dieticians recommend green tea and oolong tea as alternatives to caffeine, as they are good for our health. 

  • Drink Coffee Regularly 

Black coffee, with no sugar or milk, is actually good for your metabolism. A cup of black coffee every day can actually boost your metabolic rate by 11%, more if you can drink two to three cups in a day. Hot coffee also improves your bowel movements, which is a big part of your metabolism. 

However, caffeine works differently in different people. Age and body weight are important factors in the calculations. 

  • Drink Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple Cider Vinegar doesn’t really taste very good, but a regular dose of it can boost your metabolic rate significantly. Mixed with water, Apple Cider Vinegar early in the morning on an empty stomach can regulate bowel movement, burn fat stored in your body and give you more energy throughout the day. 

Note: Apple Cider Vinegar is extremely potent, and the daily dose shouldn’t be more than 2 tablespoons, always mixed with water. 

  • Drink Lots of Water 

The more water you drink every day, the better your metabolism is going to be. Water keeps you hydrated and full, and also temporarily boost your metabolism by 24% to 30%. The effect is temporary, so it is important that you keep on drinking water regularly throughout the day.

  • Eat Spicy Food 

You need to add more spice to your food if you want to improve your metabolism. Pepper contains a substance called capsaicin, which significantly increases a person’s metabolic rate. Spicy food, filled with pepper, burns more calories per meal than bland and non-spicy food. 

  • Try Coconut Oil 

Replace your soybean or cooking oil with coconut oil, as it happens to contain the least amount of fat. Coconut oil has a lot of other health benefits, for your hair, skin and blood pressure; coconut oil also boosts metabolism and can be used in cooking, frying and salads. 

  • Get more Vitamin B 

Eggs, bananas, peanut butter, baked potatoes, peas, whole grain and spinach are significant sources of Vitamin B1, B2 and B6, and can help in boosting your metabolic rate. 

  • Get Enough Sleep 

If you have trouble sleeping or if you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases a special hormone called ghrelin, which makes a person hungry more often. The less sleep you get, the more you eat unnecessarily, which adds to your weight. This particular hormone, ghrelin, also creates an imbalance in your body, which results in decreased metabolism. Sleep is an important part of your overall health, and you need enough sleep for boosting your metabolic rate. 

  • Reduce your Stress 

Stress causes your body to produce more cortisol, a hormone that regulates appetite. Stressed out people eat more and this leads them towards an unhealthy eating disorder which disturbs metabolism. To boost your metabolism, you have to try and reduce your stress level. 

  • Try Intense Exercises 

The more active lifestyle you have, the better your metabolism. If you work out regularly, especially exercises that gets your heart working, i.e. anything from running, jogging, swimming or cycling, your metabolism improves. These kinds of workouts can help you lose weight both by burning fat and by boosting your metabolism. 

It’s no use going on a strict diet if your body can’t process anything you eat. Your body’s ability to function properly, burn fat and process food properly is all dependent on your metabolism; the better your metabolic rate, the easier it will be for you to lose weight, and more importantly, to maintain the weight you’ve lost. Some people are born with a good metabolism, but for others, there are natural and effective ways to improve it.