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To boost your metabolism, it's important to develop healthy eating habits. It's also essential to maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, and get enough sleep to optimize your overall health and well-being. As we age, a combination of our lifestyle and lack of physical activity begin to affect our metabolism greatly, making us susceptible to various diseases like diabetes or hypertension. Hence, along with eating nutritious food, cutting down on unhealthy food habits is equally important. So if you find yourself identifying with any of the patterns mentioned below, here are some food habits to avoid if you want to promote a faster metabolism:
Skipping Meals
Avoid skipping meals, especially breakfast. Eating regular, balanced meals throughout the day helps keep your metabolism active. When you tend to skip meals and eat after long intervals, the body sends signals to the brain to store the food as fat, in order to conserve energy for the time period where there is no food being put into your body; thus, being one of the biggest factors for weight gain in most people.
Crash Dieting
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Extreme calorie restriction can slow down your metabolism and also weaken your immune system, making it vulnerable for common ailments like fever, cold and a constant state of feeling weak. Diets that are sustainable in the long run, include food that is easy to source while travelling or moving from one place to another and eating fresh, organic food that is balanced and includes all the essential nutrients is the ideal way forward.
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Refined Carbohydrates
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Highly processed and refined carbohydrates like white bread, sugary cereals, and pastries can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, followed by crashes – thereby slowing down the body’s capacity for long hours of physical activity. Opting for whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread provide more fibre and nutrients, resulting in a slow energy release and keeping you feeling full for hours.
Excessive Drinking
It is well-known that alcohol can slow down your metabolism and hinder fat burning. Limiting your alcohol intake and opt for healthier, non-alcoholic alternatives like sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime or having the occasional glass of red wine also lets you have fun but in moderation. Too much drinking also causes inflammation and works against the body’s natural response to defend itself against unwanted bacteria or viruses.
Overeating
Eating more calories than your body needs can lead to weight gain. Being mindful of portion sizes and listening to your body's hunger and fullness cues allows you to eat as per your appetite while also not causing yourself discomfort. Indulging in dishes that you enjoy once in a while as opposed to packing on the calories just because can cause your digestive functions to crash, thereby affecting your metabolic rate.
Low Water Intake
Dehydration can slow down your metabolism. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support your metabolic processes. Sipping water and not gulping it down your throat also is equally important to avoid shocking your nervous system and allowing it to flush out any toxins from your intestines, keeping your digestion at optimum levels.
