25 Nutritionist-Approved Ways to Speed Up Your Metabolism

Drink up

Jumpstart your metabolism as soon as you wake up by drinking a large glass of water. Founder of Hispanic Food Communications, Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, suggests placing a glass by your beside before you go to bed and drinking it first thing every morning. If you don’t like water, most other liquids count as well, according to the latest recommendations, as do fruits and veggies with a high water content such as mandarin, watermelon, and cucumber. These are the easy ways to jumpstart your metabolism. 

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The One Diet Rule That Helped These People Lose 20+ Pounds

“You’re no busier than a fit person!”

“I went to a spa for a day of beauty after having children and was mortified when I had to return to the desk and ask the receptionist if they had a larger robe, as the one-size-fits-all robe was lying. That awful experience was my ‘aha moment.’ Since then, I’ve lost close to 100 pounds, kept it off, and now use a social media platform and a blog to inspire and encourage others to find their own fitness and weight loss success. I deliver advice in a funny and firm way by explaining that, ‘You’re no busier than a fit person.’ Instead of making excuses for why we aren’t like folks who are fit, we should realize that they’re busy, too! It’s all about making time for what matters.”—Charlene Bazarian

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12 Insane Benefits of Lemon Water You Never Knew

Lemon water may help you lose weight

Lemon water may be a dieter’s best friend. “The polyphenols in lemon may aid in reducing appetite,” registered dietician Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies. Rodent studies have shown that the polyphenols in lemon do help to prevent weight gain. Plus, she adds, “when you drink a glass of water, especially before a meal, this helps to fill your stomach, offsetting the amount of food needed to feel satisfied.” Lemon-flavored water is also a healthy option to replace your morning glass of orange juice—think of all the calories saved! To make lemon water, use whole lemons (not lemon juice in a bottle). “Try squeezing the juice from one lemon into 8 to 12 ounces of water,” Palinski-Wade says. You can also grate in a bit of the zest (just wash the lemon first). “Enjoy it cold or warm, but if you will be having it to promote weight loss, drink it chilled with ice,” she says.

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Which Foods to Avoid with Acid Reflux and Digestion Issues?

What common foods are good and bad for your belly?

Foods containing rapidly fermentable carbohydrates called FODMAPs feed bacteria in your gut and may be responsible for gut inflammation, gas, bloating, and other uncomfortable tummy troubles. Cutting back on foods that contain FODMAPs will help improve your digestion, eliminate GI problems, and lead to weight-loss.

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12 Silent Signs You Should Be Eating More Carbs

Carbs 101

Carbs get a bad rap, to the point where people skip them altogether. That’s silly. Only some types of carbs are actually unhealthy. The good ones fuel your body, give you energy, and can help you lose and keep weight off. Not all carbs are created equal, though. So the first step is separating the bad from the good: Simple carbs such as those from refined flour and sugars—crackers, bread, sweets, and pasta—hike up your blood sugar levels and can increase inflammation while adding pounds. But complex carbohydrates—you get these in whole grains, veggies, fruits, and beans, for example—provide fiber and help promote a flat belly and optimal health.

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This Is How Much Soda It Takes to Increase Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

While soda consumption in the U.S. has taken a dip in the last 15 years, soda is still very much part of the American diet (if you can even call it that). Either you or someone you know can’t resist reaching for the sugary drink come lunch time. Still, it’s no secret that soda isn’t exactly the healthiest beverage, but how much is too much? Indulging in the occasional liter of cola can’t hurt, right? Well, according to a review of 36 different studies, it doesn’t take a lot of soda to do you a lot of harm—especially when it comes to diabetes. Don’t miss these reasons to avoid all soda, including diet.

The research was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society and was completed by a group of researchers from South Africa. The review noted that consuming a sizable number of sugary drinks, five or more, ups your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses, which, sure, makes sense. But even when the consumption was lowered considerably, the results were a bit unsettling.

Just two cups of soda each week can increase one’s risk of type 2 diabetes by 29 percent, according to one of the studies reviewed. Keep in mind, a standard can of soda is 12 ounces or 1.5 cups. This study analyzed data from 43,580 participants aged 45-74 years of age. All participants were free of diabetes and other chronic illness at the beginning of the study. Here are science-backed strategies to reverse diabetes. 

Even for the most moderate soda slugger, the risk is very real. So if you’re looking to ward off type 2 diabetes, it’s probably best to keep that soda consumption to a minimum. Next, check out these other surprising habits that can lead to diabetes.

[Source: Men’s Health]

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15 Foods Proven to Flatten Your Belly

Oats and nuts

One sure way to zap belly fat is to increase the amount of soluble fiber you consume, says Jessica Crandall, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Foods that are rich in soluble fiber include oats, nuts, beans, and berries. You should aim for 25-35 grams per day, especially if you’re diabetic. Soluble fiber does a much better job controlling your blood sugar than carbs, like a piece of bread, which can make your blood sugar spike then drop. Check out more tricks to flatten your belly—without a lick of exercise.

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