The human body is truly amazing.  Our body can take the food and beverages we consume and give us energy.  Our bodies then use that energy to perform necessary functions such as breathing, blood circulation, digestion and of course, physically moving our bodies.

Several factors can affect your metabolism such as your age, weight and even gender.  However, metabolism is not the main culprit of weight gain or weight loss.  The cause of weight gain or weight loss is still the foods and amount of calories we eat and how much physical activity we get.  A healthy metabolism is still important for overall health and achieving a healthy weight.  Here are three habits to keep your metabolism in great shape.

Exercise

The older we get, the more important exercise becomes.  As we age, we naturally lose muscle.  Exercise is an amazing habit that can not only help you build muscle, but maintain what you have to prevent loss. 

Strength training and lifting weights are great options to add to your exercise routine.  Your muscles will burn more calories than any other part of your body.  So, the more muscle you have, the more calories your metabolism will burn, even when you’re resting.

Avoid skipping meals and over-limiting calories

Remember the meter?  Your metabolism needs to have calories (energy) throughout the day to keep it running.  If you are not giving your body enough calories, your body will adapt to the restricted caloric intake and use fewer calories to perform the same tasks.  That will make it more of a challenge to lose weight.

Don’t fall for fads

If a weight-loss promise sounds too good to be true, it is!  There is not a magic food that will increase or decrease your metabolism.  Make sure you are getting a balanced diet from a variety of foods as well as giving your body the calories (energy) it deserves to keep your meter running the best it can! 

Try the recipe below for a protein-rich, delicious meal.

Honey Turmeric Chicken

Serves 4

All you need:

•8 wooden skewers*

•2 Tbsp. Hy-Vee honey

•1 Tbsp. Hy-Vee soy sauce

•2 tsp. finely chopped fresh garlic

•1 tsp. ground turmeric

•Pinch of Hy-Vee salt

•4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut lengthwise into strips

•8 oz. green beans, trimmed, thawed if frozen

•1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped

•8 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved

•1 Tbsp. Hy-Vee orange marmalade

•1 Tbsp. coconut spread

All you do:

1. Combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, turmeric and salt in a resalable plastic bag. Add chicken breasts; seal bag. Marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour, turning once. Drain chicken; discard marinade. Thread chicken onto skewers.

2. Cook chicken in a grill pan over medium-high heat for 8 minutes or until fully cooked and grill marks form, turning once.

3. Cook green beans in boiling salted water in a large saucepan for 10 or 15 minutes or until tender. Remove beans and keep warm; reserve water. Cook potatoes in reserved water in same saucepan for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Drain; return vegetables to saucepan.

4. Toss with tomatoes, orange marmalade and coconut spread.

5. Serve chicken with vegetables.

*Note: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 290 calories, 7g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 750mg sodium, 26g total carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 17g sugar, 31g protein.

Daily Values: 150% vitamin A, 35% vitamin C, 4% calcium, 15% iron.

Source: Hy-Vee Balance

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

www.eatright.org/resource/health/weight-loss/tips-for-weight-loss/metabolism-myths-and-facts