Most people believe they know the basic formula for weight loss: caloric output should be greater than caloric intake. Unfortunately, your metabolism is more complicated than you might realize. Common metabolic myths are a major reason that formula rarely works long-term.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that your metabolism is permanently set by genetics. While genetics play a part, it’s greatly influenced by your lifestyle choices. Falling for the simplicity of the “more calories out than in” myth can actually be detrimental to your health. For example, a candy bar and a plate with five ounces of grass-fed beef and broccoli both have about 250 calories. If the myth were true, then your body would handle these options in the same way — but that’s not the case.
A candy bar is made up mostly of sugar, mixed with some unhealthy fat and a little protein. This combination is digested very quickly and is usually accompanied by a spike in blood sugar and insulin. But the beef and broccoli meal contains protein, healthy fats, and fiber-dense vegetables. This mix requires more effort to break down, so it can actually help boost your metabolism by making it work harder. It also supplies key nutrients to further support the metabolic process.
Fueling Your Metabolism
Your metabolism has three main purposes: catabolism — breaking down and oxidizing food molecules; anabolism — utilizing the energy from the broken-down food; and metabolic detoxification — neutralizing toxins and transporting them to organs that can remove them from your body.
Processed, low-quality foods with artificial preservatives and chemicals will slow down your metabolism and negatively impact your body at its cellular level. Yet high-quality foods, like pasture-raised proteins and organic vegetables, will optimize your body’s performance.
In many cases, low-carb dinners are among the most beneficial ways to receive the quality fuel that will boost your metabolism, rather than bog it down.
How Low-Carb Dinners Help
Your body needs to rest at night to rebuild and repair itself. This is a pivotal time, and your body needs ample protein, omega-3 fat, fiber, and trace minerals — but very few carbohydrates. Carbs cause your body to release insulin, which can put your body into fat storage mode under certain circumstances.
To keep your metabolism working hard, even at night, omit carbs and focus instead on healthy proteins. Remember, your metabolism must work harder to break them down, so it will be forced to speed up and meet your body’s demand for energy. Three of the best low-carb, metabolism-boosting dinners are:
1. Grass-Fed Butter & Rosemary Marinated, Roasted Grass-Fed Beef Tenderloin with Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 3 sprigs rosemary
- 2 bricks unsalted, grass-fed butter
- Grass-fed beef tenderloin
Preparation
- Mix the garlic, rosemary, and butter until smooth.
- Spread evenly over the tenderloin on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 425℉ for 45 minutes.
- Serve with mashed cauliflower.
2. Wild-Caught Salmon Burger with Arugula Salad
Ingredients
- 12-14 oz. wild-caught salmon
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp. minced green onion
- 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro
- 3 organic free-range eggs
- 2 tbsp. organic lime juice
- 1 tbsp. organic mustard
- ½ tsp. cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp. Mediterranean sea salt
- ¼ cup of organic coconut flour
Preparation
- Mix the salmon, garlic, green onion, and cilantro by hand in a bowl.
- Stir the eggs, lime juice, mustard, cracked black pepper, and Mediterranean sea salt until evenly blended.
- Pour eggs over the salmon, add coconut flour, and mix together thoroughly.
- Form into four patties (make sure patties are firmly packed), and place the patties in a coconut oil-greased pan over medium heat.
- Flip the burgers until both sides are evenly browned (about four minutes for each side).
- Place burgers on a bed of arugula salad.
3. Low-Carb Grass-Fed Bison Lasagna
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 1 diced white onion
- 3 lbs. grass-fed bison
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- Mediterranean sea salt
- cracked black pepper
- 24 oz. ricotta cheese
- shredded cheddar jack cheese
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- shredded Parmesan cheese
Preparation
- Prep skillet with olive oil, then sauté diced white onion.
- Add bison and season with onion powder and garlic powder.
- Add sea salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix well, and cook until bison is thoroughly browned, then remove from heat.
- Spread a layer of bison evenly in the container, and spread 8 oz. of ricotta cheese on top.
- Sprinkle on 2-3 oz. of cheddar jack cheese, 2-3 oz. of mozzarella cheese, and 2-3 oz. of Parmesan cheese (according to your preference).
- Repeat for three layers, and top with garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and pepper.
- Bake at 425℉ for 30 to 40 minutes.
- The good news about keeping your metabolism, and therefore your body, properly fueled is that you don’t have to sacrifice the joy of eating to meet your dietary needs. Simply make sure that the fuel you supply your body with is high-quality.
