From drinking green tea, adding spices like cayenne pepper to meals, and engaging in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts – social media has been all the craze lately on busting and healing your metabolism. While it’s not necessarily hard to “bust” your metabolism, it can be challenging to make significant changes to your metabolism. Many factors can impact metabolism, including age, genetics, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise habits. While some of these factors may be beyond your control, there are still ways to naturally boost your metabolism, such as eating throughout the day, maintaining a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep.
“Busting” your metabolism refers to increasing your body’s ability to burn calories and fat efficiently. There are many ways you may be hindering the effect your metabolism has on your health, read on for the top four ways you may be busting your own metabolism!
You’re Skipping Breakfast
While it may seem like a good idea to skip a meal and “save some calories”, doing this can actually have the opposite effect you desire and can SLOW your metabolism. When you skip breakfast, your body goes into a “starvation mode” and slows down your metabolism to conserve energy. This means that when you do eat, your body will be more likely to store those calories as fat rather than burn them off. Remember- you body needs calories and food to function properly! It will do what it needs to protect itself if it isn’t getting the correct nutrients.
In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers actually found that people who skipped breakfast had a lower resting metabolic rate and burned fewer calories throughout the day than those who ate breakfast regularly! So eat some breakfast even if it’s something easy! Always try to include protein and some fiber when you can. Check out some of my favorite breakfast recipes here.
Going Long Times Without Eating
Going long periods of time without eating can have negative effects on your metabolism and overall health. When you skip meals or go too long without food, your body’s natural response is to slow down your metabolism as a way to conserve energy. This can make it harder for your body to burn calories efficiently and can also lead to feelings of sluggishness and fatigue.
Skipping meals can also cause your blood sugar levels to drop, which can trigger cravings and even cause you to overeat later in the day. Instead of trying to lose weight by skipping meals and restricting calories, listen to your body’s hunger and fullness signals and nourishing yourself with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the day (I can help you do this! Learn more here).
By learning how to fuel your body with regular, balanced meals and snacks, you can help to support a healthy metabolism and improve your overall health and well-being. Remember, food is fuel, and by prioritizing nourishing foods and listening to your body’s needs, you can help to optimize your metabolism and feel your best.
Eating Too Low Calorie
Another way you could be harming your metabolism is by not eating enough food. When you restrict your calorie intake, your body goes into survival mode (again!) and slows down your metabolic rate to conserve energy. This can lead to a slower metabolism, which can negatively impact your overall health and make it harder for you to have a healthy relationship with food. Aaim to nourish your body with a balanced diet throughout the day that provides enough energy to support your daily activities and functions.
Not Choosing Balanced Snacks
Choosing unbalanced snacks can also have a negative impact on your metabolism. Snacks that are high in added sugars or refined carbohydrates can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, which can lead to an insulin response. This can increase your body’s likelihood of storing fat and make it more challenging to maintain a balanced and healthy relationship with food. Instead, aim for snacks that are nutrient-dense and provide a balance of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. For example, a balanced snack could include an apple with almond butter or carrots with hummus. This will help support your energy levels and metabolism while providing essential nutrients that your body needs to function at its best.
Overall, there are many ways that you could be unknowingly hindering your metabolism, which can impact your overall energy levels and ability to live a fulfilling life. By making healthy choices, such as starting your day with a balanced breakfast, regularly fueling your body with nutritious meals and snacks, and avoiding drastic calorie reduction, you can support your metabolism and promote a positive relationship with food and your body. These habits can help increase your energy levels, improve your mood, and enhance your overall well-being. Your metabolism will also thank you for it!
Looking to learn more about how you can support your metabolism and reach your goals with nutrition? I’m here to help! My signature coaching program, Nourished Nutrition Breakthrough, takes a three-phased approach to help you stop feeling out of control around food, teach you what your body actually needs, and show you how to support your metabolism through nutrition and other lifestyle factors!
Our next round starts soon! Click here to learn more!