I have no doubt in my mind that many of us have packed on a few pounds this year, with all the stress-eating 2020 has caused.

It is no wonder we are all looking for easy ways to shed those extra fluffy layers. The golden goose of weight loss is a higher metabolism – we all know this, but the question is how do we boost our metabolisms naturally, and with relatively no effort?

The bad news is there is no magic way to lose weight, the good news is that there are foods you can add to your diet that will help you on your road to becoming a slimmer you.

These are 7 of our favorite picks to add to your eating plan.

• Legumes & Nuts

These nutrient-rich little beauties are high in iron, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients are essential in maintaining proper thyroid function – your thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that is responsible for many bodily functions, including your metabolism. If you don’t get enough of these specific nutrients daily, it could impact your thyroid’s ability to perform properly which will slow down your metabolism.

• Coffee

Some studies show that caffeine in coffee can increase your metabolic rate by over 10%. Per several studies, drinking the equivalent of around 3 cups of coffee a day can help you burn an extra 100 calories. Be careful with caffeine though, not everyone agrees with it and too much caffeine can be detrimental to your health and cause issues like excessive sweating and an abnormal heartbeat until the extra caffeine has left your system.

• Protein-Rich Foods

Protein requires more energy to digest, which makes your body work harder after you consume them. The harder your body works and the more energy it uses, the more calories you will ultimately burn. Protein does not have to come from meat alone – fish, eggs, and dairy are protein-rich sources. You can even drink your protein these days with smoothies and protein water drinks, for a quick and easy way to increase your protein intake.

• Apples

An apple a day will not only keep the doctor away but it will also boost your metabolism and help you lose weight. Apples contain soluble fiber which will keep you full for longer, they also lower your cholesterol levels and help you slow down the absorption of glucose into your bloodstream. Apples increase your fat-burning enzymes and are an appetite suppressant, they are a truly remarkable fruit with seemingly endless health benefits.

• Chilli & Ginger

Hot spices like chili and ginger are well known for their thermogenic effects. When you add these to your meals, they can increase your metfabolism by almost 10% and create a long-lasting effect for hours after you eat them. If you can’t tolerate spicy foods then consider getting them in supplement form, most of these are available in a capsule, and that way you can still increase your consumption of these handy helpers without burning your tongue!

• Green Tea

Green tea has been used for decades as a wellness booster. Apart from all the other health benefits, green tea is high in a specific type of antioxidants called catechins, these have been associated with weight loss, fat loss, and metabolism-boosting. Green tea can boost your metabolism and help you burn an extra 5% more calories a day. Every little bit adds up!

• Water

We all know drinking water is good for us, but did you know it can temporarily boost your metabolism by up to 30%? Research suggests that the reason for this is because your body is working harder to heat the water to body temperature and thereby burns more energy doing it. You don’t have to drink your body weight in water just to achieve this extra metabolism booster, just 500ml of water is all you need to for your metabolic rate to increase within 10 minutes of drinking it. The effects of this 500ml of water will be sustained for up to an hour after finishing it.

Boosting your metabolism doesn’t have to be a difficult task, just be mindful of what you’re consuming and you will easily be able to work with your body to sustain a boosted metabolism to assist with weight loss, weight management, and overall wellbeing.

Remember that a boosted metabolism alone will not be enough to lose weight and keep it off, you need to strike a balance between diet and exercise to achieve the optimum plan for your own personal needs.