Having a fast metabolism is a gift given to those from the fitness gods. There are those lucky people who have been blessed with the ability to eat whatever they want and burn it in the same breathe. On the other hand, there’s the group of people like us at the CGS team who don’t, and need to be mindful of the food we intake.
Some foods are easier for your body to break down, and that makes it easier for your metabolism to do its job. Just like everything else in life, with the good comes the bad. There are also foods that can hurt your metabolism and cause it to work slower. The CGS Team has gathered 5 everyday foods that people intake regularly that may be hurting your metabolism.
Peanut Butter
Eating the wrong foods can leaving you feeling sluggish, but eating foods that can cause havoc to your metabolism may have the same effect. Almost everyone has eaten a PB&J sandwich at least once in their lives. While eating peanut butter is great for protein, it can also cause your metabolism to slow down quicker than you think.
Peanuts are usually stored in moist silos which can cause them to grow a type of fungus called aflatoxins. In most cases these fungi can affect the health of your gut. It competes with probiotics, which are considered healthy bacteria for stomach health. Peanuts and products made from them can cause a slower metabolism and potential weight gain if not eaten in moderation.
Pasta
Who doesn’t love a nice pasta dish? Pasta can be very filling and super delicious, but it also slows down your metabolism. Pasta contains a lot of carbohydrates which can decrease the rate at which your metabolism works. Most pasta is made with the primary ingredient being flour. Flour is the number-one component in reducing the speed of your metabolism.
Have you ever wondered why after a nice yummy bowl of pasta, you feel a food coma coming on? It’s because pasta can spike your blood sugar, causing your metabolism to work overtime to break down the food. Why make your metabolism work harder than it needs to?
Farm-Fed Beef
Farm-fed animals compared to grass-fed animals may not seem like a big deal to you now, but in all actuality it’s a huge difference on your metabolism. Eating meats that are farm-fed can lead to your metabolism working slower when digesting. Meats that aren’t grass-fed contain a lot of GMO, which is a genetically modified organism.
GMO is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated subject. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans. Many fast food chains use GMO products which leaves a negative impact on our health.
Chips
Chips are a common go-to snack. They’re convenient, cheap, and almost in every vending machine. They only issue is that they’re not good for us. Chips are considered “fatty foods” which slow down a person’s metabolism. Fatty foods increase your body fat, and slows down the speed of your metabolism causing you to gain weight quicker. Avoid the fried chips, and go more for the baked chips to give in to your chip craving.
Fruits/Veggies
Of course fruits and veggies are extremely good for us, but if we aren’t careful these food groups can decrease our metabolism. Studies have proven that vegetables and fruits that are consumed with a great deal of pesticides on them can lead to the slowing down of a person’s metabolism. Pesticide is a substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or animals.
To avoid consumption of pesticides on your fruits and veggies, clean them thoroughly before eating. You can also try opting for organic fruits and veggies to help with your metabolism speed. Although organic produce doesn’t eliminate the pollutants altogether, be sure to always wash fruits and veggies before eating. It can go a long way in reducing the chances of slowing down your metabolism!
Related: 6 Foods to Help You Boost Your Metabolism
Food is tasty, and is absolutely necessary to survive. It’s important to never starve yourself. Depriving yourself body of the food it needs will slow your metabolism down, without a doubt. While some of the foods listed above can slow your metabolism down, a great work out plan and moderate intake will keep you healthy! Did you expect to see any of these foods on the slow metabolism list? What foods seem to slow your metabolism down? Post a comment below to share your thoughts!
