Food July 23, 2019
Here's a list of the freshest metabolism boosting foods to pick up at your local farmer's market this summer.
Each year millions of people funnel tremendous amounts of money into weight-loss programs, meal-replacers and supplements. We’re not here to hate on any of that. But, what if you could eat delicious, cheap food and help your body burn fat at the same time? This is where metabolism boosting foods come in.
We’ve complied a list of five of the best metabolism boosting foods to look for at your local farmer’s market this week. And, if you live in the L.A. area, we’ve got those markets scouted out for you as well.
One of the most colorful varieties of vegetables, the bell pepper contains an important chemical known as capsaicin. Capsaicin not only delivers peppers’ signature spice but it also works to increase thermogenesis, a bodily process that increases metabolism. This process, in turn, results in the burning of more calories throughout the day. In addition to burning excess calories, capsaicin also possesses analgesic properties, which means that it can relieve your pain as well. This special chemical makes bell peppers one of the greatest metabolism boosting foods.
The more capsaicin, the more spice. Therefore, hot chili peppers contain more capsaicin and, accordingly, burn more calories. But, bell peppers contain enough of the chemical property to work as excellent metabolism boosting foods. And, as a plus, bell peppers experience a heyday of growth from July through September. Commonly found at farmer’s markets, bell peppers can be added to salads, stuffed with rice or eaten raw.
Broadly defined as edible seeds, legumes consist of a variety of beans, peas and peanuts. These eclectic seeds possess a high amount of protein, which causes the body to ramp up its metabolism.
While all legumes aid in boosting metabolism, many types – such as beans and peas – thrive better in cooler temperatures. Others – such as peanuts and chickpeas – flourish during the warmer summer months.
Thanks to the growing number of vegan consumers, recent years have seen a resurgence of the chickpea in the food market. That means you can consume this versatile bean in a variety of delicious ways.
As one of summer’s most treasured fruits, strawberries may aid in suppressing the enlargement of certain fat cells in the body, according to nutritionist and fitness guru Jillian Michaels. An incredibly versatile fruit, strawberries can be eaten with breakfast, used in salads or as a topping on low-calorie desserts.
As delicious as strawberries are, they are also incredibly fragile. As a result, strawberries rank among the highest for containing pesticides. So, if you want fresh organic strawberries, summertime proves to be the best season for consuming these metabolism-boosting gems.
Alongside tuna and herring, salmon is a cold-water fish that contains an ample amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are credited with not only reducing inflammation in the body and reducing the risk of cancer, but also providing a significant amount of protein.
The protein, while working to keep you full throughout the day, also kick-starts digestion increasing your body’s metabolism. Look for ethically sourced, wild caught salmon at your local markets for the healthiest and most responsible eating.
If you have jumped on the flavored water craze, lemons are the go-to metabolism boosting food for you. As a citrus fruit, lemons contain high amounts of Vitamin C. This vitamin, though commonly associated with immunity, also serves to increase metabolism causing the body to burn fat faster.
Squeeze lemon into a glass of cold water for a refreshing summer sip. Add it to an apple cider vinegar tonic to increase your body’s digestive and immune health. Or, surround your freshly bought hunk of wild caught Alaskan salmon with slices of lemon for a double dose of fat-burning power with the added benefit of delicious flavor.
Lemons are typically in season from July to December. For those in warmer climates, lemon trees are an easy and beautiful addition to a balcony or sun-lit room. If you’re trying to source food responsibly, what could be better than growing your own food and improving your health simultaneously?
Whether you grow it at home or find it at a farmer’s market, local is always healthier. Your body, your wallet and the environment will thank you.
