I know what it’s like to be on a diet that focuses on what you should not eat instead of what you CAN eat. Many times this is the very thing that causes people to give up on a diet before it has even begun.

One thing I have learned over these past few years of studying nutrition, diet and healthy lifestyles — we really should have the mindset of a healthy lifestyle change rather going on these yo-yo diets. That way, when the diet is over, you don’t have the yo-yo effect so many diets leave us with but you continue to live that healthy lifestyle with a balanced weight and good, healthy ongoing diet.

Diets tend to leave us feeling deprived. Instead, we should think about our “diet” as something that fuels us with healthy, crave-busting foods that push out bad foods –, keeping us from feeling hungry. Feeling hungry only leads to us reaching for the junk. So staying filled up on good, healthy foods is the best way to stay on a healthy pathway.
You are probably aware of the usual appetite-curbing foods like lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and  even green tea. But here are a few other things that you will rev up your metabolism so you burn off more fat.

lemon juice1. Lemon Juice.

 

Did you know that putting a little lemon juice in hot water in the morning supports good digestion?  Well, a few tablespoonfuls of lemon juice prior to or during a meal can help lower your blood sugar response from that meal as well. All that from one little fruit – and you can even add that fruit to your water throughout the day.

cinnamon_02. Cinnamon.

 

What a great spice this is. I add this to my veggie smoothies that I eat for breakfast. Cinnamon also helps balance blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity.

kefir_13. Kefir.

 

This can help curb your sugar cravings. Kefir’s tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly ‘probiotic’ bacteria found in yogurt.  It is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible complete proteins. For the lactose intolerant, Kefir’s abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provide lactase — an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process.

cayenne_04. Cayenne Pepper.

 

Cayenne can help you burn more calories and curb hunger. (You can also get the same results from hot sauce or hot peppers.) Remember, a little cayenne goes a long way!!

5. Coconut Oil & Coconut Milk.

 

coconut_15Coconut oil is great to cook with, and I love coconut milk. These are staples for everything from cooking to shakes. Both the oil and milk are antiviral and antibacterial, which makes them great for keeping a good balance of good bacteria in your gut

These are just five foods that will help you boost your metabolism as well as add wonderful other health benefits to your diet. So, why don’t you try adding a few to your daily routine and see the result.