The Healthy Way to Build a Better Metabolism

By: Alec Donaldson | Published: Mar 02, 2024

Building a better metabolism is a quest that many may feel is almost impossible. After all, doesn’t your metabolism have something to do with genetics? While genetics do play a role in the overall efficiency of one’s metabolism, there are various ways to build a better system.

As metabolism is the process of converting food and drink into energy, building a better one can help with weight management and increasing your overall daily energy. In the long run, you can feel healthier — and happier — with a better metabolism.

Drink Water Consistently

If you want a good metabolism, you need to drink water on a daily basis. Stay hydrated. Whenever your body is properly hydrated, you’ll just naturally feel better. However, water can also help make certain metabolic processes easier. Simply put, water can greatly boost your metabolism. 

Advertisement
A woman in a black tank top drinks from a clear glass containing water.A woman in a black tank top drinks from a clear glass containing water.

Source: engin akyurt/Unsplash

On average, men should drink 15.5 cups of water a day, whereas women should drink about 11.5 cups. Drinking the accurate amount of water daily will help you feel better, and could even help you lose weight!  

Eat Lean Protein

If you’re trying to boost your metabolism healthily and naturally, you’re going to want to make sure you eat well-balanced meals. Including lean protein in your daily diet can be highly beneficial.

Advertisement
A person eats from a white bowl containing asparagus, rice, and salmon topped with lemon.

Source: Travis Yewell/Unsplash

Lean protein can include chicken, tofu, beans, fish, and turkey. This type of protein helps give your body a little bit more energy while also allowing your body to easily process its nutrients! 

Eat Foods Rich in Fiber

If you don’t have enough fiber in your diet, you’re not helping your metabolism. Fiber does a lot for our bodies. By eating these types of foods, you can help stabilize your blood sugar levels naturally while also keeping you feeling full.

Advertisement
A close-up view of baskets full of green vegetables beside red apples.

Source: Iñigo De la Maza/Unsplash

Whole grains, vegetables, and fruits are great examples of foods that are rich in fiber. Adding these types of foods to every meal can greatly help your overall health.

Add More Healthy Fats to Your Diet

Healthy fats are also excellent! These types of fats can greatly help your entire metabolic system, while also aiding your hormones to do what they need to do to keep your health in check.

Advertisement
A white plate with two slices of avocado toast beside a hard-boiled egg and a fork, against a white surface.

Source: Wesual Click/Unsplash

Healthy fats can include foods like nuts, olive oil, and avocados. Overall, eating these types of foods can benefit your entire body — not just your metabolism. By adding more of these fats to your diet, you can even help your blood pressure and lower the risk of getting heart disease.

Understand Portion Control

Often, our metabolism systems don’t work as well as they should if we’re overeating. Overeating can lead to weight gain — which then leads to your metabolism slowing down.

A close-up view of a small white bowl of almonds on a wooden surface.

Source: Juan José Valencia Antía/Unsplash

To avoid this and keep your metabolism as healthy and active as possible, it might be beneficial to indulge in portion control. Keep an eye on what you’re eating for each meal. Don’t overeat. 

Advertisement

Don’t Skip Meals

While portion control is essential to any healthy diet, you don’t want to skip meals. This won’t benefit your body at all. You need to keep your body working and burning energy throughout the day — and your body gets that energy from the food you eat.

A plate with eggs, strawberries, and blackberries beside a napkin, fork, and coffee cup on a wooden surface.

Source: Meg Jenson/Unsplash

So, steer clear of skipping any meals. You also definitely don’t want to skip breakfast, as it’s always important to start your day out strong with a good meal that will give you energy — and get your metabolism going! 

Advertisement

Work Out and Raise Your Heart Rate

Moving your body and raising your heart rate is key to giving your metabolism that needed boost. While many people may find regularly working out can easily do this, you don’t need to necessarily hit the gym.

A person rides a bike on a city street with cars ahead of them and buildings on the side.A person rides a bike on a city street with cars ahead of them and buildings on the side.

Source: Nhi Dam/Unsplash

Instead, partake in activities that naturally raise your heart rate. For example, riding around on your bike or even just brisk walking can get the job done. On average, you’ll want to get about 150 minutes per week of moderate activity. 

Advertisement

Build Muscle or Do HIIT Workouts

If you’d like to hit the gym to better your metabolism, you should do so! Strength training is a great way to give your entire health a needed boost. As you gain muscle, you’ll raise your metabolic rate.

A row of black weights in a gym with weights, a water bottle, and a towel in the distance on the floor.

Source: Greg Rosenke/Unsplash

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts can also be greatly helpful for those looking to burn calories and boost their metabolism. 

Advertisement

Manage Your Stress

If you’re always stressed, you’re likely slowing down your metabolism. Obviously, you don’t want this. Try to manage your stress in a healthy and natural way. This won’t just help your metabolic system — it will help your entire life.

A young woman sits on a mat on a wooden floor, with a white wall behind her, and twists her body in a yoga pose with her eyes closed.

Source: Dane Wetton/Unsplash

Partaking in meditation or deep breathing exercises are two great ways to manage stress when done daily. Consistent yoga practices can also be just what you’re looking for.

Advertisement

Get Enough Sleep

We all know getting enough sleep every night is essential to great health. However, a good night’s rest can also help keep your metabolism working.

A person sleeps on a bed beneath white blankets beside a green plant.

Source: Andisheh A/Unsplash

If you’re not getting enough sleep consistently, your metabolism could begin to slow down. This could also result in weight gain. Sleep helps you regulate your energy and appetite, so it’s highly essential that you sleep at least 7-9 hours a night.

Advertisement

Be Consistent

If you want to naturally boost your metabolism, you need to stay consistent. So, if you’re changing your diet to incorporate more lean proteins and healthy fats, eat these types of food often. Don’t just eat them once and expect to see immediate results.

A woman in work out clothes lays on a mat in front of windows as she works out.

Source: Jonathan Borba/Unsplash

The same goes for working out. To truly see a change in your metabolism, keep a daily, consistent workout schedule and watch as you begin to feel healthier and have more energy. 

Advertisement