Fuel Your Body BETTER

What is a metabolic diet?

A metabolic diet is about eating certain foods at certain times to speed up your Basal Metabolic Rate (the number of calories you burn at rest) to aid fat loss, whilst also creating a hormone balance within the body.

Metabolic dieting is a great way to control your weight, as it encourages fat loss whilst fuelling your body efficiently enough for you to continue functioning at an optimum level and avoid going into starvation mode.

Starvation mode occurs when you eat too little and exercise too much; creating this kind of calorie deficit can actually hinder weight loss as your body will naturally adapt to stop you from wasting away. Upon entering Starvation Mode, your body will start to produce less leptin, a hormone which regulates your hunger and Basal Metabolic Rate, meaning that your metabolism will slow and your cravings will increase.

This is why ‘yo-yo dieting’ or eating too little can actually lead to long term weight gain: your weight may drop in the initial stages of dieting, but starvation mode will soon kick in to counteract any weight loss. Instead, what you should do if you start to exercise more is to make sure you fuel your body – therefore maintaining high energy levels and keeping your BMR running.

The Metabolic Diet outperforms other dieting strategies in many ways, but because your lifestyle and daily activity plays a big part it is impossible to create a one-size-fits-all plan. Still, here is a guide as to the key high-energy foods usually included in a Metabolic Diet:

• Protein e.g. Meat, fish & poultry
Proteins encourage a healthy release of leptin, decreasing hunger and driving your BMR.

• Green leafy vegetables, especially broccoli
These foods not only provide essential nutrients and create a more efficient internal system, but can also take more calories to digest than they provide, again increasing your BMR.

• The ‘right’ oils e.g. Olive oil, coconut oil, macadamia nut oil
Healthy fats keep your blood sugar levels steady helping to regulate the hormone balance within your body.

• The ‘right’ spices eg. Oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and rosemary
Each of these herbs and spices has different effects, such as reducing water retention, inflammation and cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’), which can be key problems during dieting and can stop you increasing your BMR.

Meanwhile, key foods to avoid include:
• Anything at all which claims to be low-fat or low-sugar
• Vegetable Oil
• Margarine (just use butter instead, which contains natural fats and vitamins)
• White flour
• Sugar (even brown sugar which is no better than white)

HiiT Studios
Moonraker Point
1 Pocock Street
SE1 0FN
t: 020 8133 5220
w: www.hiitstudios.co.uk

• A BOUNTIFUL Season London’s hidden markets will excite even the most experienced of palates
  by Joshua McKenzie | Category: Food&Drink
• THE FINEST Ingredients Discover the essential Italian flavours behind the success of Tentazioni Restaurant
  by Chloe Hodge | Category: Food&Drink
• layers of TRADITION A Mediterranean escape within London’s most idyllic marina
  by Chloe Hodge | Category: Food&Drink
• a blackfriars BRUNCH Home-cooked comforts at Café Pronto
  by Joe Campbell | Category: Food&Drink
• A LIFE in the day A unique view from a Brixton Village tradesman
  by Dominic John | Category: Style
• A CINEMATIC revolution The Ritzy Picturehouse’s century-long career at the forefront of ‘art cinema’
  by Jessica Cusack | Category: Culture
• SWERVE OF SHORE to bend of bay An interview with one of Ireland’s leading theatre-makers, and her photographer
  by Chloe Hodge | Category: Culture
• AN INNOVATION in theatre Stage meets screen for Sam Mendes’ ground-breaking production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
  by Chloe Hodge | Category: Culture
• CHILDREN’S book review For this edition Meg Connor-Scahill, aged 11, gives us her thoughts on the traditional children’s book Heidi, written in 1880 “for children and for those who love children” by Swiss author Johanna Spyri
  Category: Culture
• RACING for charity Nephew of The Shipwright’s Arms publican, Andy Bishop, undertakes a marathon challenge
  by George Swinton | Category: For The Soul
• SEDUCED by Seville ...Sweet orange blossom & Spanish guitar
  by Chloe Hodge | Category: For The Soul
• 5:2 Your Life
  by Emma Cook | Category: For The Soul
• Fuel Your Body BETTER How Metabolic Dieting can help you to avoid ‘starvation mode’ and stay both slim and strong
  by Christian Thomson | Category: For The Soul
• SET apart Graphic display company Colorset underlines the importance of adaptation
  by Joe Campbell | Category: Style
• SANDRINGHAM House Organic interiors, river-side views and high-tech finishing touches from award-winning design firm, Darling Associate
  by Rebecca Lodge | Category: Property
• OUR GREAT Thames Joanna Lumley and Thomas Heatherwick lay plans for London’s very own floating garden
  by Chloe Hodge | Category: For The Soul
• SPOTLIGHT Properties CONTEMPORARY CONVERSIONS: Loft Living
  Category: Property
• SPOTLIGHT Properties A PERIOD Apartment
  Category: Property
• SPOTLIGHT Properties A REGENCY Residence
  Category: Property
• GOLDFINGER'S Legacy The enduring architecture of a post-war pioneer
  by Chloe Hodge | Category: Property