By Jaclyn Smock

Whether you've been sticking to your gym schedule or the only exercise you've been getting is walking across campus to your next class, sometimes we all want a boost in metabolic rate, the speed at which your body uses energy.

In order to jump-start your metabolism so your body burns more calories, add these three foods to your daily diet!

Peppers
Peppers are the number one food to add to your diet for an increased metabolism because of the ingredient capsaicin, which is responsible for making peppers spicy. The capsaicin causes your body to “heat up” and burn more calories as it works harder to digest these spicy treats. Depending on the hotness of the pepper you consumed your increased metabolism can last for a few hours after digestion. Add habañero, jalapeño and cayenne to vegetables and meat plates to get your dose of pepper.

Yogurt
Like peppers, yogurt causes the body to “heat up” and work faster to break down this protein-rich food, making yogurt a must eat for anyone looking to increase their metabolic rate. Yogurts come in a variety of flavors, but watch out for yogurts that contain a large amount of sugar. Add yogurt to your diet as a snack or as part of your breakfast.

Grapefruit
We’ve all heard the myth that you should start off your day by eating half of a grapefruit for increased brain activity. While that is still subject to debate, grapefruit does help with your metabolism and weight loss! Eating grapefruit lowers the insulin levels in your body, which lowers the chances of your body storing fat. Add pink grapefruit as a snack, breakfast item, or a healthy dessert to your lunch or dinner.

Although these foods might help boost your metabolism, they work best with a healthy intake of food and a regular dose of exercise.

Sources: Associated Content; Ecosalon; Fitness Tips for Life
Images: 1