Which foods are to blame for slowing your metabolism way down and keeping you from achieving your weight loss goals? We’ve compiled a list of 15 foods below, so you can make smarter eating choices and stick with those foods that will keep your metabolism going strong.
1. Sugary Foods
Even though you might think of sugar as an ingredient that could give you energy, it could instead cause your metabolism to slow down. That’s because it can create a spike in your blood sugar. Once sugar is absorbed quickly, it can take effect and give you a boost, but it will ultimately cause your metabolism to slow down because it is absorbed so quickly and because it causes your blood sugar to rise. So, it is best to avoid foods that contain high amounts of sugar by sticking with fresh fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth.
2. Fatty Foods
When shopping for your groceries, it is important to read nutrition labels to determine just how fatty a food is before placing it in your cart. A high fat meal could slow your metabolism way down because the fat in the food will not be easy to digest. Your body won’t know what to do with all that fat, so your metabolism will slow down and basically take a break so that your body could store the fat for later use. So, in addition to slowing your metabolism, high fat foods also make you gain weight.
3. Pasta
Pasta that is made of white flour is considered a refined food that could easily be broken down when it reaches your digestive tract. Unlike complex carbs that require more time, simple carbs like pasta could cause your metabolism to slow down because your body does not need to work as hard to digest them.
4. Processed Foods
Another reason to stick with natural foods: processed foods may cause your metabolism to slow down. A study determined that individuals who ate a diet that consisted mostly of whole foods were able to burn more calories all day compared with those who got their calories from processed foods.
5. Alcohol
Drinking alcohol could cause your body to burn fat more slowly. The effect is temporary, but if you want to lose weight, it could hold you back from reaching your goal.
6. White Bread
Like white pasta, white bread could also cause your metabolism to slow down because it will be easy to digest. Your body will burn right through it, so you will get that burst of energy and the inevitable crash that follows. That is why it is best to stick with whole grains, such as wheat bread, as they will be digested more slowly.
7. Sugary Drinks
In the same way that you should avoid sugary foods, it’s a great idea to avoid sugary drinks like sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks.
8. Rice
Like white bread and white pasta, white rice should be avoided and replaced with brown rice so that your body will need to work harder to digest it and derive all the nutrition from it.
9. Potatoes
It’s unfortunate, but potatoes contain a chemical that might adversely affect your metabolism by slowing it down. But they are nutritious, so it is all about moderation.
10. Non-Organic Produce
Studies have determined that foods that are conventionally grown with pesticides may have an adverse effect on your health in myriad ways, including causing you to be more likely to gain weight. Researchers in Canada have found that your metabolism could slow down because of the chemicals that are commonly found in veggies and fruits, and pesticides may slow down the body’s fat burning ability. To avoid this, purchase organic foods whenever possible.
11. Conventional Meat
Like conventional produce, conventionally raised meat, such as beef, contains higher amounts of chemicals like antibiotics that may adversely affect your metabolism. That’s why it’s best to stick with organic foods of all kinds.
12. Fried Foods
Researchers have found that foods that are cooked in oil–especially partially hydrogenated oil–might cause your body’s metabolism to slow down. Avoiding fried foods is always the healthy choice.
13. Caffeine
Caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea might be helpful when you need a boost of energy, but don’t overdo it. Consuming too much caffeine may cause you to become dehydrated, and that could slow your metabolism.
14. Chocolate
If you want to keep your metabolism running strong, keep your intake of chocolate to a minimum. Chocolate is sugary and often highly processed, and both factors could slow your metabolic rate.
15. Foods High in Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Finally, if your diet is too high in omega-6 fatty acids, you might be slowing your metabolism down. So, avoid foods like cookies, butter, pork, and chicken thighs, as well as processed foods, as a few examples.
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