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8 organic foods that can boost your fitness [Article]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

May 16, 2018 10:00:00 AM

Organic food for your fitness

 

8 Organic Foods That Can Boost Your fitness

 

This article has originally been published on BookCulinaryVacations.com. If you are looking for a trip with nice food, this is the way to go. In this article, you will learn about 8 foods which boost your metabolism. For each of them, I will provide a little idea that I use myself to incorporate them into my daily routine.

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You probably have heard of the metabolism. Your metabolism is the combined effect of the biochemical processes which occur in your body. They enable you to digest food, think and move. Genetics help with having a better metabolism. You can also hack it to improve your fitness by eating right.

You will find 8 foods in this article which naturally will boost your fitness. That does not mean you have to include them all in your diet. Get them in gradually and look up some recipes which you can add. From that, you will new, better habits for your goals.

 

Chili peppers

 

Chili peppers to boost your fitness

 

Chilli peppers are full of capsaicin. Capsaicin has several beneficial qulities. Studies have found that chillies help to boost thermogenesis. This is the process which turns calories intoheat for energy.

While chillies boost your metabolism they are also high in vitamin C. You can chop them finely as an addition to salads, meats and soups for a delicious culinary experience.

My best friend and I usually have entrecote when we meet each other. We get some mild chillies with it. While the entrecote is made in one pan another one is filled with the chillies. Fry the entrecote for five minutes on each side on a high setting. While the meat is being cooked stirr the chillies on high so that they do not burn. After ten minutes you have a delicious, healthy meal.

 

Coffee

Coffee for fitness

 

There are studies which support that coffee increases the metabolic rate. Coffee can help break down fat from tissue. It also stimulates the bervous system to send signils to fat cells. Epinephrine is a hormone which also gets released in higher amounts by coffee consumption. This hormone is a further help in breaking down fat.

I am a big fan of bulletproof coffee in combination with intermittent fasting. Instead of having a breakfast I have a coffee with butter and coconut oil. If you want to try it yourself add one table spoon each to your morning coffee. Use a milk frother to stirr the butter oil into the coffee. To drink directly add cold water taste.

If you regurlarly lift weights in the gym you can replace your pre workout shake with strong coffee. I find most of the pre workouts in the market to be disgusting in taste and prefer my black, simple kick in the butt.

 

Lentils

 

Lentils to boost your fitness

 

Lentils are a great way to provide iron to vegans and most women who are iron deficient, They are rich in fiber, magnesium, protein, vitamin B, C, and folate. One cup of them contains 35% of your daily need of iron. Iron plays a significant role in burning calories. ake sure you have a lot in your diet.

If you are not e vegan, fish can be a great source of Iron. I am not a big fan of lentils and eat a lot of salmon instead. Salmon is easy to make in all forms. One of the easiest ways is to put it in the oven with pesto on top. Keep it there at 180 degreee celsius for about 20 minutes to half an hour. Eat.

 

Berries

Berries to boost your fitness

 

Berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. This helps to kepp your skin youthful. As with lentils, berries contain a lot of fiber. Fiber helps your metobalism and digestive system.

My mother liked to point out that strawberries have more vitamin C than lemons, even though most people would think otherwise. Whether that is true ornot I do not exactly know. Strawberries just always remind me of her.

Blackberries, Raspberries and strawberries make an excellent dessert when combined with yogurt, honey and almonds. We use this as a supplement for toast with jam. It is not the same, but it comes close.

 

Cinnamon

 

Cinnamon to boost your fitness

 

Cinnamon contains thermogenic properties. This helps you to burn more calories through the day. It also surpresses your cravings for sweets. In case that you would eat carbohydrates, cinnamon also helps to process them quicker. CInnamon is a good addition to oatmeals and fruit. It can also be used to make smoothies more interesting. Avoid more than a 1/4 of a teaspoon a day.

CInnamon buns are quite famous in Germany. Especially at Christmas, you can swap the sugar for a bit of cinnamon when you are baking. You are still having carbohydrates, but at least you can feel good about yourself, that you put cinnamon instead of sugar on the cookies.

 

Green Tea

Tea for your fitness

 

Green Tea contains Epigallocatechin. This form of catechin has been found to stimulate the fat burning process. IT is also said to help with stroke and heart disease as it contains flavonoids.

Tea has become en vogue quite lately. There are shops praising all kinds of health benefits. My two grannies introduced my to black tea at a very young age. My irish wife was appalled to find out that I take my tea without milk. The rish are more english than the like to admit from my perspective. Due to the body of studies which support the health benefits of tea, I rotate my teas a bit more. I like peppermint, black tea and green tea. Tea is my home drink. At work, I stick to coffee.

 

Leafy Greens

Spinach for fitness

 

 

Leafy greens are rich in iron and calcium. Based on this they are great metabolism boosters. This supports your blood to be healthier. Examples of leafy greens are spinach, kale and swiss chard. It is recomended that you eat 3 servings of leafy greens a day to see visible results of losing fat.

Leafy greens are foods which are very high in nutrients and low in calories. If you look at a bag of spinach it has about the same calories as a burger from McDonalds. Therefore leafy greens can help you to feel full so that yu do not have to munch on unhealthier options.

 

Nuts and Seeds

 

Nuts and seeds to bost your fitness

 

Seeds and nuts are great energy sources. You can pick between Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios and brazil nus. This is just to name a few. They are high in protain which has a positive thermic effect. This will help you burn more fat.

Especially nuts come in very handy as snacks. We have a glass ar at home which helps me to get through the afternoons on the weekends. Wehnever you feel like reaching for some chocolate, have nuts instead.

 

Some thoughts

 

You can not outrun a bad diet. Hacking your body by making it burn fat rather than putting it on is a great favor to do yourself. Especially women can benefit as they are genetically designed to retain more fat for having babies. Avoid energy drinks, processed foods and sugar filled sodas. As a teenager, you were able to burn these no problem. In your mid thirties, these will not help to get to your goals.

Apart from your diet, it is also important to get get plenty of sleep. Stress is also a major factor and I recommend meditation to reduce it. Make regular excercising a priority. Do some cardio and streching. This will not only increase your metabolism, but your overall health.

 

Conclusion

 

You migh already be eating some of these foods. If not, try to get them into your diet. If you only drink tea, have coffee in the morning. If you only drink coffee, have some tea in the evenings. Swap your candy bars for nuts. Make dessert from honey, berries and greek yogurt. The choices are limitless, if you have an open mind. Steer away from processed food.

 

By Lystia Putranto: Writer at BookCulinaryVacations.com .Personal & professional development blogger, Lystia is also a lover of travel, a self-professed foodie, and an amateur cook who admittedly spends way too much time surfing the web.

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Topics: Food & Diet, Fitness, Diet