Did you know? Certain ingredients can support your metabolism and boost fat burning. This is the case with these three ingredients, easy to integrate into your salads.
Chili pepper or cayenne pepper
Chili pepper, especially in the form of fresh or dried chili pepper or cayenne pepper, “contains capsaicin, a molecule that stimulates thermogenesis, that is to say the production of heat by the body. Result: your body spends a little more energy to digest and assimilate food, which can slightly increase fat burning”, confides Julie Boët, dietitian-nutritionist. “In addition, chili pepper has a natural appetite suppressant effect: it often reduces appetite by stimulating certain nerve receptors. So, if you eat more slowly, you will be full more quickly,” she continues.
Apple cider vinegar
Added to a vinaigrette or diluted in a little water before a meal, “apple cider vinegar has shown interesting effects on the regulation of blood sugar levels. Thanks to the acetic acid it contains, it helps slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, avoid spikes in blood sugar, and therefore limit insulin secretion”, underlines the expert.
Why is it important? “Because insulin is a hormone which, when secreted in excess, promotes the storage of fats. By regulating this mechanism, apple cider vinegar helps your body better mobilize fats instead of storing them,” specifies the dietitian.
The lawyer
Contrary to popular belief, avocado does not make you gain weight – quite the contrary.
“It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, which has positive effects on lipid metabolism. These good fats encourage the oxidation of fats (their transformation into energy) and support better insulin sensitivity, which is beneficial for limiting storage. In addition, its richness in fiber and satiety fats helps reduce hunger and cravings in the hours following the meal. Half an avocado in a whole salad, and you have without difficulty until dinner, I recommend that my patients consume a maximum of one whole per week. confides the specialist.
However, if these ingredients can support your metabolism, improve the quality of your meals and help you better manage dietary fat, “they do not “burn” the fats already stored in your body”,
warns the expert. They are therefore not enough to erase the excess melted cheese or cold meats from the day before.
The secret to a good metabolism is ultimately balance: “a plate composed of varied vegetables, a source of protein (egg, tofu, chicken, fish, lentils, etc.), good fats (avocado, olive oil, seeds), and a little complex carbohydrates (quinoa, sweet potato, chickpeas, etc.) for movement and a healthy lifestyle. And above all, don’t forget: no salad, even very well composed, makes up for a greasy charcuterie board as an aperitif. concludes Julie Boët, dietitian-nutritionist.