When your metabolism goes off the rails, the road to a healthy weight is often rocky without the right foods. If the metabolic processes inside our body are disrupted, the nutrients from our food can no longer be properly absorbed and processed. The result: unwanted extra kilos, sluggish digestion and low energy.
We have put together some valuable tips to help you get your metabolism back on track. Find out which foods will boost your metabolism and what else you need to consider.
Metabolism booster for breakfast – try VERIVAL porridge now!
How does the metabolism work?
Metabolism or metabolism describes all biochemical processes that take place within a cell. Enzymes, hormones and nutrients work at full speed to break down and break down our meals so that every cell in the body is supplied with what it needs.
In short, our metabolism is responsible for properly utilising our food. We take in nutrients in the form of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, which are broken down into their individual components during the digestion process. Carbohydrates become simple sugar molecules, proteins become amino acids and fats become fatty acids. Only through this process can the nutrients be absorbed by the intestines and subsequently enter the bloodstream. The individual nutrient molecules are then distributed to the cells throughout the body via the blood.
Although we speak of metabolism in the singular in everyday language, in fact several different processes are involved in nutrient utilisation. Among the most important are carbohydrate metabolism, fat metabolism and protein metabolism. In these examples, the name already reveals which substance is processed in the respective process.
A disturbed metabolism
If there are problems with the utilisation or transport of nutrients, this is referred to as a disturbed metabolism, which is actually quite common.
Those affected often have problems losing weight, complain of concentration difficulties, have a pronounced sensitivity to cold or suffer from loss of appetite. Externally, a disturbed metabolism often shows itself in brittle nails and split ends in the hair.
In serious cases, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, gout or an underactive or overactive thyroid can occur, to name just the most common. These are characterised by a hormone or enzyme deficiency.
If you experience several of the symptoms mentioned, you should see a doctor to make sure you are healthy.
Metabolic disorders and a slow metabolism can be genetically determined, but they also often arise from unhealthy lifestyle habits. In this case, a change in lifestyle is of great importance for the course of the disease and to stimulate the metabolism.
Tips for boosting your metabolism
As long as you don't have a serious metabolic disorder, our tips will help you get your metabolism going again:
Tip 1: Drink enough
Your metabolism can only do its job if you drink enough water, because the fluid intake helps to flush toxins out of your body. As a guideline, an adult should drink about two litres of water a day.
Tip 2: Avoid alcohol
Alcohol is poison for the body and needs to be broken down as quickly as possible. As a result, other metabolic processes have to wait and either slow down considerably or stop altogether.
Tip 3: Keep moving
As many people know, those who do regular exercise boost their metabolism. But you don't always have to work up a sweat. Sometimes it is enough to go for a walk in nature or to consciously integrate movement into your everyday life.
Tip 4: Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet is the be-all and end-all for a functioning metabolism. Because only if you provide your body with the right food can your metabolism perform at its best.
This also means that frequent diets are bad for your metabolism. If your body does not get enough food, it slows down and runs on emergency mode, so to speak.
At VERIVAL, we also place great emphasis on healthy ingredients, in addition to organic quality, in all our products. We have been particularly successful in this with our Sport Range, with delicious breakfasts for high-performance days.
Discover the delicious sports breakfast from VERIVAL now!
10 foods to boost your metabolism
If your body is already running on empty or for some reason cannot optimally utilise nutrients, the following foods can help:
Water, water and more water
Let's start with the basics: as already mentioned, you should definitely drink enough to help your metabolism do its job. Water is necessary to excrete all the toxic substances that accumulate in your body.
Now that the basics have been clarified, we will introduce you to some other foods that will boost your metabolism:
Chia seeds – miracle seeds from Mexico
These pseudo-cereals from Mexico are now very popular, and not without reason. These small seeds contain a considerable amount of healthy nutrients, which is why they are now considered a true superfood.
If you want to lose weight, chia seeds and their effects are for you. Not only do they keep you full for a long time, but they also provide many vitamins and minerals. These valuable ingredients also stimulate the metabolism.
Our raspberry chia pudding, for example, is a delicious way to harness the power of chia seeds:
Flaxseed – regional superfood
Unlike chia seeds, flax seeds don't have to fly halfway around the world to end up in our breakfast muesli. These regional miracle seeds are actually produced in our latitudes.
Flax seeds – whether whole or ground – swell when added to water. This property is what makes it an indispensable food for boosting your metabolism. As they swell in the gastrointestinal tract, the seeds absorb toxins, which are thus transported out of the body much faster.
This regional superfood not only tastes great in muesli, but is also a popular topping for porridge.
Almonds and other nuts
Although all nuts boost your metabolism, almonds are probably the best choice. They provide you with healthy, unsaturated fatty acids and keep your blood sugar levels in balance. What's more, these crunchy kernels are said to have a positive effect on fat burning.
Green tea – a proven diet aid
Green tea is mentioned in many diet guides because the popular hot drink supposedly stimulates the metabolism and burns fat. It is also said that the bitter substances it contains act as an appetite suppressant. Those who drink green tea regularly can benefit from its positive effects.
Coffee – a metabolism booster
The most popular of all stimulants is not only known to curb appetite but also helps the body to burn more calories. It also stimulates digestion and thus gets your metabolism going.
Note: milk and sugar in coffee negate these benefits, so you should always enjoy this pick-me-up black and unsweetened.
Lemons – sourness perks you up
Because of their high vitamin C content, lemons not only boost your immune system but also your metabolism.
Start your day with delicious lemon water to benefit from the positive effects of this citrus fruit. To make it, squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon and add water. It's best to drink the mixture on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
Cinnamon – a secret weapon
According to one study, cinnamon improves the effect of insulin. This means that the body has to secrete less of the blood sugar-regulating hormone. As a result, insulin levels do not rise as rapidly after a meal, and cravings don't stand a chance.
Berries – sweet all-rounders
We already know that berries for breakfast are healthy. However, they not only contain numerous vitamins for that morning energy kick, but also antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals and boost the metabolism.
Porridge – kick-start for the metabolism
Those who enjoy porridge for breakfast are doing their body a favour early in the morning. The high fibre content of oats stimulates digestion and really gets the metabolism going. The complex carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to rise less quickly, which means you won't get as many cravings for sweets.
In particular, warm porridge can work wonders for a sluggish metabolism. You'll often start to see positive changes after just a few days.
You can either make porridge yourself very easily using our basic recipe for oat porridge and refine it with the toppings of your choice, or you can try our wide range of porridge varieties and discover new, delicious flavours.
Kickstart your metabolism – try VERIVAL porridge now!
