7 Snacks That Ignite Your Metabolism

We all get hungry between meals. But, instead of reaching for cookies, you can snack on healthy foods that will actually help you burn the flab.

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, here’s the science behind these foods: certain foods contain a high thermogenic effect (the way it allows the body to generate heat or energy as it is digested). This results in a much higher metabolism over a period of time.

Here are the best healthy snacks that help you burn fat, and crank up your metabolism as you chew.

Lemon

Lemon helps with fat loss because it’s a digestive aid and it helps to cleanse the liver. Besides this, it comes with a list of other health benefits.

Lemon is antibacterial, antiviral, and contains tons of immune boosting powers.

Snack options: I eat it throughout the day, and so can you. I drink a lot of water and so should you. Squeeze into your ice water. Add it to chicken and fish dishes. I also add it to any juices I blend.

Hot Peppers:

Capsiacin is the compound in chilli peppers that give them their kick. They essentially heat up your body, allowing you to melt away some extra calories. A perfect snack option when you’re on the run.

Snack options: I have been adding peppers to all sorts of dishes. I am not a spicy-hit freak, so I add them sparingly. But, peppers of all kinds add fuel to your metabolic fire.

Freshly Diced peppers are the best, but at the very least, try adding some cayenne pepper to your beef and poultry dishes.

They will keep your metabolism revved up.

Green Tea

Many studies show that green tea extract increased thermogenesis. Credit EGCG (a compound in green tea brew) responds by speeding up your metabolism.

Snack options: drink it either hot or cold, depending on the time of year and your climate. Another tip to turbocharge its fat burning effect is by consuming it first thing in the morning, before anything else. It will wake you up too.

To increase your intake, keep a jug of iced green tea in the fridge (at work and at home).

Lean meats

Lean meats have a high thermogenic effect due to the protein. In fact, you’ll actually burn 30% of the calories that the food contains during digestion. In other words, if you eat a chicken breast containing a few hundred calories, your body will burn 90 of them during the digestive process.

Snack options: I try to consume some meat at every meal. I recommend high quality lean meats. I usually tend to eat more grass fed beef & cage free organic chicken. However, this certainly isn’t an all or nothing proposition. Do the best you can.

Special mention: Steve’s original sells a quality grassfed beef stick that I eat almost every day.

Almond Butter

Almond butter is rich in omegas, high in riboflavin, folate, vitamin E, and niacin.

I probably eat more of this than I should. Thankfully it’s good for me. It doesn’t speed up your metabolism but it’s a great source of high quality fats and protein, and a little goes a long way.

Here’s why I have included it in my top 7: most of us would admit to giving into our sweet tooth, at least a few times a month. And almond butter satisfies that craving for me.

It’s leaps and bounds better to have a little almond butter, which has virtually no sugar and very little carbs, as opposed to snacking on candy.

Snack options: I drop a tsp. or two on a few apple wedges, and presto!

However, my favorite variety is nuts n more cinnamon raisin almond butter. It’s the best I’ve ever had. It’s all natural with no added sugar, and they pack it full of extra protein, omegas, and flax. Winning!

Do your body a favor and reach for the almond butter instead of the horrible sugary products that give you an instant high, followed by a sickening low.

Berries

This one is for all those sugar addicts out there. Yes, you can burn body-fat by eating berries, and enjoy the experience. Berries can be also be taken anywhere (just throw them in a plastic container).

Berries are the way to satisfy a sweet tooth. They are extremely rich in antioxidants and relatively low in carbs compared to other fruits.

Snack options: Aim for a 1/2 cup of berries every day. Look, you could even throw some almond butter on them… Shh… Don’t tell anyone I told you. Giving away all my secrets.

Eggs

Studies show that eating eggs in the morning can help you manage hunger and help to decrease calorie consumption throughout the day. Don’t worry about “the great yolk debate”, it’s good for you despite what some may claim.

The yolk actually contains the majority of the healthy nutrients such as, omega 3s, folate, vitamin A  & D and potassium.

Snack options: I eat eggs all day long, and always in the mornings. More often than not, I toss a few eggs into the skillet along with some greens, onions and some lean meat.

Call it a smorgasbord if you will but I absolutely love it. I love it so much I often have more for dinner. I’ll toss a couple eggs and some greens in with some grass fed lean ground beef. Try it. You’ll love me for it.

Hard boiled eggs are a great snack option too… Easy to make a dozen at once and save them for the week.

Summary

So, now you have lots of snack ideas that will help you burn fat, feel full and energetic. They are all easily found in any supermarket or local store. Nothing too complicated here.

Start adding these fat burning foods to your diet and daily routine. Throw some of them in your bag when you head out to work or school (eggs, berries, apple wedges with a little almond butter, a bottle of green tea).

With these snacks ready to go, you stay on track with your goals, get lean while you work and never feel deprived again.

Let’s get fit together!