My patients often ask, “What can I eat to boost my metabolism?” It’s a good question. If you increase your metabolism even a little you’ll burn more fat. That can mean losing weight without feeling starved.
But adding metabolism-boosting foods may not be enough. In fact, you could load up on metabolism boosters every day without EVER getting the results you want.
Why? Because most people are unconsciously eating foods that KILL their metabolism. You could be sabotaging all your good efforts by eating these foods. And the sad thing is most of these killers are disguised as “health foods.”
Here are 5 counterfeit health foods to avoid – and what to eat instead.
Banish These 5 Metabolism Killers
1. Tofu
Tofu has a “healthy” reputation but don’t fall for it. Processed soy foods contain a slew of anti-nutrients. Some of them block thyroid hormones. That disrupts thyroid function, slowing down your metabolism.
And you may not even KNOW you’re eating soy. Processed soy protein, oil and other soy compounds have made their way into thousands of fast foods and processed foods.
Better Choice: Eat soy in small amounts ONLY after it’s been fermented to remove anti-nutrients. That means avoid tofu and edamame. Safe fermented soy includes miso, tempeh, and traditionally fermented soy sauce.
2. Whole Wheat Bread
It may sound shocking but when it comes to your metabolism, “whole grain” breads are not much better than white.
In 1981 University of Toronto researchers created the glycemic index (GI). It ranked the blood sugar effects of different foods compared to glucose. The higher the GI number, the more a food raises blood sugar.1 Foods ranking above 70 are considered “high” glycemic.
Whole wheat ranks 71 – just one point lower than white bread. That means whole wheat bread spikes insulin, the hormone that tells your body to store fat – not burn energy.
Better Choice: I advise patients trying to lose weight to avoid grains. But if you do eat them stick to real UNPROCESSED whole grains like steel cut oats, brown rice, or quinoa.
3. Canola Oil
Canola is a made up name designed to fool you. Canola oil actually comes from the rapeseed plant. Manufacturers changed the name because erucic acid in rapeseed causes heart lesions.
Producers created a new rapeseed oil without erucic acid. But this new oil is genetically modified, and contains traces of hexane, an industrial toxin.
When heated, canola oil can produce trans-fats. These raise your risk of heart attack and also promote weight gain and belly fat.
Better Choice: Coconut oil won’t break down to trans-fats at high temperatures. And studies show the medium chain fats in coconut oil help reduce belly fat.2
4. Agave Nectar
Agave nectar is similar to high-fructose corn syrup except it’s extracted from the blue agave cactus.
But agave can contain up to 90% fructose compared to 55% in high-fructose corn syrup. The additional fructose might not raise your blood sugar but one third of it gets stored as fat immediately.
Better Choice: Use sweeteners sparingly. If you need one, stick with raw honey or stevia.
5. Fruits and Vegetables
Yes, fruits and vegetables are mostly good. Here’s the catch. Chemicals in pesticides called “organochlorines” get stored in your fat cells. They can interfere with thyroid function.
According to Canadian researchers, these pesticides can decrease the resting metabolic rate. They also interfere with your body’s energy-burning process. They make it harder to lose weight and can even contribute to weight regain.3
Better Choice: Opt for organic fruits and vegetable. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s list of The Dirty Dozen you should always buy organic and the Clean 15 that are safer. Visit ewg.org/foodnews/
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
1. Jenkins DJH, Wolever TM, Taylor RH, et al. Glycemic index of foods: a physiological basis for carbohydrate exchange. Am J Clin Nutr. 1981 Mar;34(3):362–6. Pubmed 6259925
2. Assunção ML et al, Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity. Lipids. 2009 Jul;44(7):593-601. Pubmed 19437058
3. Pelletier C et al, Energy balance and pollution by organochlorines and polychlorinated biphenyls. Obes Rev. 2003 Feb;4(1):17-24. Pubmed 12608524