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If you are trying to lose weight, paying closer attention to your diet is the first step. With that in mind, focusing on the food you are eating–and adding metabolism-boosting ingredients as needed–can be the key in achieving sustainable weight loss. Specifically, incorporating certain ingredients to your favorite soup recipes can help give your metabolism a boost and speed up weight loss.
Keep reading for the 4 metabolism-boosting ingredients that you should add to your favorite soups!
Lentils
Adding lentils to your favorite soup recipe is a smart way to speed up your metabolism because of its high iron content.
"Iron facilitates the flow of oxygen throughout the body, which helps increase energy and your metabolism. Just one cup of lentils provides 35% of your daily iron needs, plus protein and fiber, which aid in digestion," Byrdie explains.
Chili Peppers
If you are hoping to give your metabolism a boost, adding some chili peppers to your favorite soup recipe can be a great way to speed up weight loss.
According to Healthline, "Capsaicin, a chemical found in chili peppers, may boost your metabolism by increasing the number of calories and fat you burn... Moreover, capsaicin may have appetite-reducing properties."
Garlic
Garlic will not only make your soup more delicious, and it can also give your metabolism a good boost.
"Garlic supports a balanced blood sugar and a healthy metabolism. Studies have also shown that eating garlic can increase the number of calories burned throughout the day while decreasing the body’s production of fat," Byrdie explains.
Beans
Beans are another great ingredient to add to your favorite soup if you are trying to lose weight.
Byrdie explains how this can help boost your metabolism: "Beans are a metabolism-boosting food loaded with fiber, which lowers insulin levels after eating and improves insulin sensitivity over time. The result? Your body stores less fat."