Blame it on your metabolism. That’s the battle cry of everyone over the age of 40 who is fighting the battle of the bulge. And while it might sound like an excuse, it might also be true.
In general, people’s metabolisms slow down by about 5% when they turn 50. That means, through no fault of your own, your body is burning fewer calories and storing more of them as fat. It’s why it becomes more difficult to lose weight as you get older.
But, there are some things you can do to keep your metabolism firing on all cylinders. You can work out just a little bit more, cut down on your meal portions, or eat strategically, which means you eat more of the foods that have been proven to fire up your metabolism.
Here’s a list of six foods guaranteed to kick your metabolism into high gear:
Green Tea
According to published research, people who drink 24 ounces of green tea every day burn anywhere between 70 and 100 extra calories a day. It might not sound like much, but over the course of a year, that’s 36,500 extra calories burned, which equals about 10 pounds.
Coffee
Caffeine can boost your metabolism by 15 percent. The effects only last for a little while, but it’s better than nothing.
Whole grains
If you have a choice between white bread and whole grain bread, choose the whole grain. They take longer for your body to digest and speed up your metabolism.
Vegetables
All vegetables are good for you. Those of the cruciferous variety—broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.—are good for you and will increase your metabolism.
Raspberries
Because they are so incredibly high in fiber, raspberries kick your metabolism into high gear.
Chiles
Chiles—and their associated powders—contain capsaicin, which has been proven to make your body release additional adrenaline and raise your body temperature. Both help heat up your metabolism.
