We all know exercise plays a large role in how efficiently our bodies burn calories.  But did you know that food impacts your metabolism as well?  In fact, there are a number of delicious foods that not only bump up your metabolism to influence weight loss but also help create sustained energy throughout the day.  Who could say no to that?  The only caveat is that these metabolism boosting foods are not found in a box, package or plastic wrap.  That’s right…they are real, whole foods that need a little tender love and care (i.e. cooking) before you put them in your mouth. Here are the most fantastic fat burning foods and a few inspirational tips to make them unbelievably tasty.

Dark Leafy Greens- Kale, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Broccoli, and Swiss Chard are all amazing metabolism-boosting foods that many of us forget to eat.  Ideally we should eat these vitamin-loaded greens twice a day.  That’s right…twice!  Sauté kale with garlic and olive oil for a delicious side dish.  Quickly steam broccoli and toss with sesame oil, lemon and tamari for a taste of heaven or cookcollard greens with chopped sweet potatoes and coconut milk.  Yum!

Daikon- A long white radish, daikon is best pickled, grated into salads or throw into a rich beef stew to soak up all the amazing juices.  For a quick pickle, chop daikon and sprinkle it with salt.  Let it sit for 30 minutes then drain the excess water.  Toss with pepper and sesame oil and you are good to go!

Radish- Their innately spicy crunch makes radishes the ideal food to take your metabolism to the next level.  Eat them with hummus or eggplant spread for an easy snack or throw them in a salad with avocado, orange and mint.  A perfect combination!

Shiitake Mushrooms- Shittake mushrooms not only aid metabolism but also bolster the immune system and clear the body of excess mucus.  Simply chop the mushrooms and sauté with onions, carrots, broccoli and olive oil for a satisfying stir-fry.  Add them to soups for an added bit of texture, or slice and bake with red onions and garbanzo beans for a delicious protein-rich dish.

Onions, Garlic, Scallions and Leeks- If you don’t already cook with these, I don’t know what to say!  Honestly though, onions, garlic and their cousins scallions and leeks are some of the healthiest, inflammation-reducing, calorie-burning foods on the planet.  How to use them? Put them in everything!  Try a red onion frittata and throw freshly chopped scallions into your salads or on top of your sautéed kale.  Leeks add a hearty sweetness to soup or are perfect caramelized and thrown on top of baked potatoes.  And as for garlic, well…think of garlic as onion’s twin.  The two shall never part.  If you are worried about becoming “fragrant” after eating these lovely alliums, don’t worry.  Just make sure everyone else around you eats them too.  Enjoy!

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Jamie G. Dougherty is the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Coaching. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Coach with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.

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