The higher your metabolism, the more calories your body will be able to burn and the easier it will be for you to maintain a healthy weight or get rid of unwanted fat. Even though it sounds quite simple, boosting your metabolism is often a very challenging task – especially when you don’t know what to it to make it happen. If that’s the case with you, just keep on reading because we’re here to help you out. Here are the positive effects that Lebanese food has on your metabolism, so check them out and learn something new today!
Iron-rich foods: promote the function of the thyroid and maintain a healthy metabolism
Did you know that Lebanese cuisine prides itself on iron-rich foods such as meat, seafood, nuts, seeds, and legumes? That’s right, and these are well-known for promoting the function of your thyroid. Everyone knows that thyroid gland is responsible for regulating your metabolic function, which means that a diet too low in iron can slow down your metabolism. This happens because low levels of these nutrients can negatively affect the ability of your thyroid to produce sufficient amounts of hormones. So, if you want to prevent that, make sure to switch to Lebanese cuisine that features a lot of turkeys, fish, beans, chickpeas, and many more, which will improve your thyroid function and maintain a healthy metabolism.
Protein-rich foods: speed up your metabolism and keep you full between meals
On the other hand, foods rich in protein are said to speed up your metabolism and keep you full between meals, and guess what? Lebanese cuisine is known for protein-rich foods. The first thing you should remember is that meats such as lean chicken, beef, and fish, as well as seafood such as octopus and prawns, are packed with high-quality protein which is required for maintaining a healthy metabolism and improving muscle mass. Each of these – especially chicken and beef, can be prepared in the comfort of your home; however, if you want to try world-class seafood prepared in a Lebanese way, you should definitely visit one of the best Lebanese restaurants. Crisp king prawn and aromatic braised octopus you can find in Chippendale restaurants are truly unmatched, so give them a fair shot and we’re sure that you’ll love them!
Enticing spices: boost the metabolism and complement every meal
In case you didn’t know, there are certain spices which are thought to have particularly beneficial metabolism-boosting properties, and guess what? These can be found in Lebanese cuisine as well, which is another great reason to try it out. Ginger is one of those spices, and a lot of people love to dissolve the ginger powder in a glass of hot water. It is confirmed that this fabulous spice can burn calories, decrease levels of hunger, and enhance the feeling of fullness. In Lebanese dishes, ginger is used as a part of the famous ‘Seven Spice’ blend. Apart from it, there are also nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, fenugreek, allspice, and black pepper, and this wonderful blend is commonly used to complement every meal and add more flavor to it.
Healthy fats: good for the heart, skin, and hair
Last but certainly not least, there are healthy fats used in Lebanese cuisine which have multiple benefits for the heart, skin, and hair. Even though the majority of people automatically think of something bad when they think of fats, you must know that not all fats are created equal. There are the good ones and the bad ones, and the great news is that the good fats, such as olive oil, are a staple in Lebanese cuisine. In fact, it’s most commonly used in a variety of Lebanese dishes such as hummus, kibbeh, and baba ganoush. As butter and margarine are used very rarely in Middle Eastern cuisines, the majority of food is sautéed in or coated with extra virgin olive oil. Other foods rich in healthy fats are nuts – almonds, pistachios, pine nuts, and others, as well as seeds such as sesame, so incorporate them in your everyday meal and you’ll gradually see a big improvement!
As you can see, Lebanese food has so many amazing health benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. It also plays a significant role when it comes to maintaining a healthy metabolism and improving metabolic function. So, if that’s your ultimate goal, just make sure to embrace at least some aspects of Lebanese cuisine and you’ll do a great job in the long run!