Metabolism is a process in which the body converts food into energy by burning calories.

If you take in more calories than you need then the body stores them as fat. There are foods that can increase the metabolic rate by converting more calories into energy.

To keep your metabolism working effectively you need to eat 6 small meals a day spaced at no more than 3 hours apart and to make you metabolism work even better do about 10 minutes of exercise before a meal. This could be a short walk round the block or 10 minutes of housework or gardening.

Vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom or even iorning if done with enthusiasm and vigour will give the body a good workout.  The benefits are a lovely clean home and a toned body! You will burn plenty of calories doing housework and about an hour a day is all you need to make a difference.

Metabolism is a process in which the body converts food into energy by burning calories. If you take in more calories than you need then the body stores them as fat. There are foods that can increase the metabolic rate by converting more calories into energy.

To keep your metabolism working effectively you need to eat 6 small meals a day spaced at no more than 3 hours apart and to make you metabolism work even better do about 10 minutes of exercise before a meal. This could be a short walk round the block or 10 minutes of housework or gardening.

Grapefruit can help to reduce the amount of insulin absorbed up to 2 hours after eating a meal. Try half a grapefruit or a glass of fresh grapefruit juice before breakfast to kick start your metabolism for the day. It also contains less calories than is required to digest it.

Bananas can increase the metabolism slightly and also contain potassium which can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of a stroke. Try a sliced banana on a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast to really give your metabolism a boost.

Oatmeal is high in fibre and is a cholesterol fighting food. You will feel satisfied after eating it and oatmeal gives a slow release of glucose into the bloodstream which keeps the metabolism raised. It's also packed full of antioxidants that burn fat.

Green tea is a very healthy drink. It's high in cancer fighting antioxidants and contains polyphenols that increase the rate at which fat is burned. Green tea is beneficial in weight loss and is often found in many of the weight loss supplements such as avatrim. A cup of green tea several times a day can really give your metabolism a boost. If you don't like tea you can take it in supplement form.

Spices such as cayenne pepper are great for generating heat in the body and this burns calories to help cool it down again. Cayenne pepper also helps to reduce cholesterol.

Chilli raises the heart rate and can increase metabolism by up to 50%. If you like spicy hot foods then you could try adding a chopped chilli pepper to casseroles and pasta dishes. If you don't like your dishes too hot then remove the seeds as they are the hottest part of the chilli.

A diet rich in fruit and vegetables will help you to lose weight. These are high fibre foods which take a longer time to digest than processed foods. This uses more calories and keeps insulin levels stable. You will also feel full for longer.

Drink plenty of cold water as it can boost your metabolism by up to 24% after 90 minutes of drinking it. Water also helps to flush out toxins and keeps the body hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses a day.

If you find drinking lots of water hard keep a bottle of mineral water with you and take frequent sips throughout the day. That way you will get used to drinking more water and it will be a gradual process. I find sparkling water easier to drink and often add a slice of lemon to make it more palatable